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Barnyard Buddies:  All Things Sheep and Goats  |
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 09 2009 : 8:14:51 PM
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Yes it is delano , I don't know if that is spelled right either and the other kind that has all the folds is the Booroola. Now besides an angora goat which I want to get, What other sheep would be good for a spinners flock? Any suggestions?
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2009 : 08:02:00 AM
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It's so lovely to wake up and walk with my cup of coffee to the back door and see a fresh morning sky with the sheep "white puffs" out in the tall pastures grazing. Nothing like it. I'm so grateful for sheep and a farm today.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://cookecreeksheep.blogspot.com
http://cookecreekwool.etsy.com |
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Old Spirit
True Blue Farmgirl
1497 Posts
Rae
MN
1497 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2009 : 08:17:15 AM
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I am grateful to see sun shining!!! It has been pretty cold here for this time of year but finally warming up. Chicken house is almost done so my white puffs are getting closer to coming home. To top off the cold I have one!!! Just had to whine a bit :-)
Rae
...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles:...
Isaiah 40:31 |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2009 : 08:25:30 AM
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I know what you mean Jami - lovely morning. So far, no wind. Sorry to hear you have a cold Rae - it just makes it difficult to get ones work done with a full heart. Hope everyone has a good day.
Sheri |
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2009 : 10:56:44 AM
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My new baby!!! She needs to be baby cut to get the felted stuff off but she is really white underneath it. Doesn't she have a cute pink nose!!! hehehehehe
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
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FiddleChick
True Blue Farmgirl
78 Posts
78 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2009 : 11:00:45 AM
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Oh how sweet! What breed? What is her name???
The Hunger Mountain Band: "Singing for someone's supper . . ." www.tradlassie.blogspot.com |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2009 : 1:27:22 PM
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Beverely, What a cutie! Aren't all babies no matter what "flavor" sweet? How many are you planning for your flock? I have 5 Shetlands in a variety of colors.
Sheri |
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2009 : 5:49:05 PM
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She is a merino. I can't think of a good name yet so she doesn't have one. I was wondering and trying to get other input on what other ones I should get to have a nice spinners flock? Anyone have any suggestions. I do plan on getting an angora goat. But would like to get a few others. Just don't know yet..
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
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Old Spirit
True Blue Farmgirl
1497 Posts
Rae
MN
1497 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2009 : 5:57:01 PM
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Sure is a cutie. My youngest grandson is getting baptized this weekend and I got the cutest stuffed lambie!! I had one (still do) when I was very little and loved it so all the fur is off her but she is still in one piece. Guess I should have known I would want sheep!!!
Rae
...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles:...
Isaiah 40:31 |
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Keeper of the Past
True Blue Farmgirl
925 Posts
Sarita
Battle Creek
Michigan
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2009 : 6:00:28 PM
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Oh, pretty baby! Aren't lambs precious?
The sun has shined for us today too. We did get an inch and half of rain again last night and some winds. Water is standing in the garden, in the barn lots...oh, well..I will be begging for rain the first time it goes a whole week without any.
Jami, I know what you mean...a hot cup of coffee and watching the sheep and cows, a slow walk around the garden or sit on the patio and feel so awed with this beauty.
I was so lazy today, rested most of the day. Didn't even spin, let the sheep out this morning and back in tonight...no house cleaning, no barn cleaning, no cooking or baking. Can't remember being this tired. Hope I am ready to move mountains because tomorrow!
Beverley, there is so many good wool sheep. I love my shetlands, they are hardy and sweet little characters, good wool. I also love the wool of the border leicesters, corriedales, columbians, and so many more. the course wool sheep have many uses as well as the medium and the very fine wools..depends on what you like to use the wool for. Hope you find the sheep that you want for your flock.
Sarita
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
Contentment is the crown jewel of a happy life. |
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2009 : 6:08:27 PM
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I wanted the merino and the angora cause that are so very nice wools. But, I like to felt too so I would like to get a nice one or two that their wool will felt nice. Does anyone have any ideas which would be good for that??
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2009 : 8:23:44 PM
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Well, Merijnoo is a great needle and wet felting fleece. A good Corriedale is my next fav for felting. Picking a spinning flock is completely different. You have to decide what niche market you wish to create because if you are going to have a small flock the fiber on the animal is REALLY important. Also, what access to breeding males will you have also will play a huge part in what you pick. Ramboula (I know I did not spell that right) would be a great pairing for your Merino. I also found a great blood count Clun Forrest would be a prize. When I purchased Icelandic is was because there where none in Colorado at that time, they had two coats which meant I had a great soft down fiber to blend with my alpacas and a long staple to blend with my llamas. They are also a great meat and milk sheep. I also then had the benefit of breeding stock and breeding dates which kept me in the black without even counting the fiber. The biggest thing I tell folks just starting is really decide what market you want to attract and then select the animals who will fill that bill. Good luck and thanks for sharing a picture of your new sweety. Love pink noises too.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2009 : 07:22:42 AM
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I concur with the others Beverley, pick carefully according to what you plan on doing with the wool. Seems you know what you want...now it's just finding it! I can see the pic this morning (kicked the 'puter before I turned it on today  ) and that is a very cute little lamb you've got there.
Sarita, glad you took a day for yourself, girl. Sometimes it all catches up with us and we need a down-day.
So, girls I am excited. I signed up for a 2-day spinning class in Spokane with a artsy California spinner gal who has written 2 books. Her name is Lexi Boerger. I have to be honest, I read her blog and she's a bit "colorful" so I hesitated but I love the techniques and yarns she produces and I need to push my spinning education up a notch and figured this might be a good start...a free-spirit artsy spinning course. I don't think I could handle a technical class...it would stress me out a lot and spinning is supposed to be fun, right? I told DH I really didn't have the $ for it but since I am done with one of my paying jobs at the end of July I needed to step up my fiber sales and he told me to go for it and he'll cover the cost. I have a friend in Spokane who said I could stay in her condo for free too. So if my pickup will make it over there without a hiccup, we'll be cooking with gas! This is 2 weekends from now. Plus I'll get to see my brother and sis-in-law at their vacation spot in Couer d Alene for dinner on Saturday night.
I'm hoping it's going to be good.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://cookecreeksheep.blogspot.com
http://cookecreekwool.etsy.com |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2009 : 07:40:20 AM
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Jami that's way cool. I thought about signing up too but I'm not sure that I am an advanced enough spinner for her class as I am a beginner. If you got some time you are welcome to come by and see me I am only about 30 miles north of Spokane or perhaps we can meet up somewhere.
Sarita it's about time you took some time off - I don't know how you keep up such a schedule but then again, I don't know how any of us do!!
Speaking of which, time to get back to it. Have a great day all.
Sheri |
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2009 : 08:49:43 AM
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Hi all,
I am not really looking for a niche market, I am just looking to have a few sheep for myself and to have my own wool. so basically I am looking to fulfill my own needs. hehehehehehe I guess I am the niche market!! So I a will keep those couple of kinds grace suggested in mind. I just want some for myself and to learn how to spin it myself and be able to have my own yarn from my own place and knit with my own stuff. So I won't have many so I have to choose carefully. Does anyone know how many skeins you can get from one sheep normally??
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2009 : 09:17:15 AM
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Beverley, what do you like to do, knit, crochet, weave? I love my Coopworth wool for lots of things. It makes nice socks, scarves, sweaters, hats both knit and crochet. I like it best in a light DK weight/sport weight. It's lovely to spin. It is a bit of a heavy yarn when you make something large like a sweater. I made DH a sweater for Christmas last year...that sucker weighs about 3 pounds or so I think. I haven't weighed it but it is heavy. It takes dye well. It is similar to Border Leicester which Sarita can tell you about.
Coopworth isn't a fine wool like your Merino. I had it tested and the count was 33 but as I've told Grace before, I can't remember if that's considered a blood count. I think the testing I had done was a different calculation. I need to get my lingo right.
Sheri, that would have been fun if you took the course. I have a feeling I'm more of a beginner than she might like but I am not going to worry about it. I can spin a yarn and that's good enough for me. I figure it's artsy enough that anything I can come up with is going to fit in. I just want to learn something new.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://cookecreeksheep.blogspot.com
http://cookecreekwool.etsy.com |
Edited by - Jami on Jun 12 2009 09:19:28 AM |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2009 : 10:11:24 AM
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Jami you will have fun in that spinning class - it is great to let ourselves go when it comes to spinning. I will send good thoughts for your truck - I know what that is like and you are praying that the truck has the same intention to get up and move as you do.
The blood count is what we call it when we address wools fineness and when we talk about alpaca, llama, cashmere and such we call it micron count. As you know micron we want the number to be as low as possible for the breed of animal and the blood count we want it to be as high as possible for the breed. My dear friends are the owners of the larges Fiber Count Lab in the world so when we are together it is all we talk about. There are standards for all animal breeds in the world.
As for the niche market - if it is just you - your correct you are the customer and I would still be clear as to what you will do with the fiber. I had someone who purchased 5 Cashmere's and after three years is just now wanting to know what to do with the fiber - too late because she purchased one with not the best fiber and now we will have to play catch up to give her fiber that is even worth her time.
Sheri I am happy you took the day off and hope you are feeling rested and re-energized. Sometimes we just have to sit down, breathe and relax.. Yep I want to do that - if only the weather would stop. Another hail storm last night and they are saying we are to get one today, Saturday and Sunday. I guess some folks in Colorado must have really pissed off Mother Nature. I sure hope it was not me.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2009 : 11:07:46 AM
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Oh grace, I hope for your sake the whether people are wrong!!! I love to knit. So I am looking for wools different ones to make different things with or to spin them together to get nice ones. I would like just a nice medium wool and then some nice fine ones. I got the merino because I have been told by so many people that it is the top of the line for wool. The softest I guess. I would love to know more about these microns and blood counts. I am really knew at this and would like to learn all I can about it all. I love when I go to a yarn shop and they have some home spun yarns and they have kinda like little bumps in the yarn. I really like that look? Is that the way they spin it or a particular yarn? I have already taken a class in dying yarns and I like the natural way to do it the best. I have never really like doing anything with chemicals. So any info you can give me on any of these things would be great...
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2009 : 11:11:20 AM
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Glad you've jogged my memory, Grace. My Coops averaged a 33 micron count. Isn't the other called a Bradley count or some such thing? I can't remember. I had ASI's Bob Padula test mine at our annual convention a few years back. Funny but my Texels had a finer micron than the Coops. Go figure "down" breed versus a wool breed.
We've had thunderstorms the past few nights, nothing severe, just thunder and big rain drops that last only until the cloud passes over. Today it's rather warm. I locked the front gate and let the dogs out to find a spot of shade in the yard somewhere. Sheep are up resting waiting for the shade to cross over the shed.
Have a great weekend girls. I'm outta here.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://cookecreeksheep.blogspot.com
http://cookecreekwool.etsy.com |
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2009 : 11:17:59 AM
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oh yea I named my little lamb Zuri. It means white and lovely. I figure that fits.. I like it. What do you guys think?
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
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Old Spirit
True Blue Farmgirl
1497 Posts
Rae
MN
1497 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2009 : 12:02:59 PM
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I like the name.
Grace I sure hope you start getting some decent weather. We have actually had sun a couple days in a row and finally warmer. Talk of rain tomorrow on and off and then nice for the next days or so and warmer. Hopefully will get my garden going now with the warm. Been a rough spring for a lot of people this year.
Rae
...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles:...
Isaiah 40:31 |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2009 : 05:55:51 AM
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No sunshine - rain and tornadoe watchs for most of the afternoon and eveing. Instead I cleaned our my stamps, inks, card stocks and ribbons. May not sound like much but that is a whole room. I think I will be placing a whole bunch of it for sale soon.
Wonderful name you have picked. I am sure he will do it proud.
Beverly there are somoe wonderful books and dvd's out there to teach you that style of spinning. I tell my beginning students when they want to make sweing thread yarn and all they are producing is those lumps and bumps - that in a while they will be paying me to teach them how to put back those bumbs - enjoy that testured yarn you make because I get paid alot more for that then looking like I am making machine made yarns. I am in a put of a rush this morning (delivering wholesale yarn orders) but I will be back tonight and we can talk about best books and dvd's. I am sure the ladies also have their favorites.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2009 : 09:30:55 AM
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Its sunny and breezy this morning but it's supposed to thunder storm this afternoon. I am hesitant to plant my largest pots of flowers in the beds until I am sure there is no threat of hail but at the same time things need to get put out and off the porches so I can paint.
How are the wedding plans going along, Grace? Did your son recoup his hail losses?
I know what you mean about those lumps and bumps - I got rid of them finally in my spinning but it's now really hard to put them back...
Gotta get to watering my pots...have a great day all.
Sheri |
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2009 : 5:22:54 PM
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I would like to know some good book titles, thank you
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
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Barnyard Buddies: All Things Sheep and Goats |
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All Things Sheep and Goats
