My New Farm Adventure: Shearing Day 2015

First, let me send a HUGE thank you to the four gals who came out to help. You really were amazing, one returning from last year and three newbies. They managed the skirting station in the garage. I asked them to be brutal and they were, removing anything that a spinner would not want to deal with. Two of these fine friends went home with a fleece of their choice - okay they battled over the two - and I look forward to seeing the results of their creative efforts.

I need to back track a bit. Shearing begins days ahead of time. I had to watch the weather and ensure the sheep remained dry. The one night it rained my sheep were locked up inside whereas if we did not have housing that would be an issue.

And I had to set up. Things were different this year and we could not shear where we did last year. So, I fenced off an area in the south overhang so that the sheep could move from the large area in the Big Barn to a small holding pen, to the shearing area and then outside. The shearer liked the arrangement and all went very well.

There was excitement during the day but all went well. The shearer arrived late but that was okay. This meant that shearing continued until later and I had planned for this. Hubby was on task to barbecue the dinner I had prepared and we had extra for the two helpers that stayed late. Again, I had planned for this.

The shearer agreed to trim Henrietta the llama's feet. I was pleased with this but had no idea what this adventure would entail. After lunch, I asked if he was ready to do her as she was volunteering. I got a hold on her halter and the shearer said "Sure. Let's do her now." She was quite good for the first three feet, fighting a bit but okay. For foot number four we had quite a dance around the barn. I was not letting go. Henrietta I guess gave up. She went down on all fours, laid down on her side, stretched out her head and wailed. The shearer finished her foot and we left her there, feeling quite indignant. And it was done!

Henrietta really wanted out of the barn. I tried to coax her out but she would not go past the sheep that were left to be shorn. Then the door got opened somehow, whether by a sheep or Henrietta. And she was away. But then so was an unshorn sheep. So, after herding the unshorn sheep into the holding pen, I grained the rest of the flock to get them all into the barn. I captured the MIA unshorn sheep and got her into the holding pen. All was well.

Some sheep were very buggy but most were better than I expected. At the vet's advice I had drenched them to deal with the bugs and plan to repeat the procedure. Some sheep look thin but they are heavily producing milk for twins right now. The seven who have not lambed are all pregnant.

Abraham - Abe - the big ram. His fleece was very white and he was very well behaved.

Now that the sheep are without their wool I have to learn who they are again as they do look different. I also realise how much I rely on their voices to distinguish them. It's coming together. Sometimes I just hang out with them to figure out who they are. And they are so very small now without their wool!

Libby, the colourful spinning fleeced ewe I purchased last summer, has a gorgeous fleece. The spinners were in awe and would have fought hard over that one had I not declared in advance "It is mine!" And she looks different now that she is shorn. And the shearer wonders if she is not carrying triplets!