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Barnyard Buddies:  Anyone have sheep?  |
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LakeOntarioFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
933 Posts
Brenda
North Rose
NY
USA
933 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 14 2009 : 05:30:52 AM
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I would love someday to have some sheep.
I don't knit(much) and wouldn't know the first thing about shearing them, but I just love sheep and I know I can learn!
Does anyone here have any?
They are just too cute! 
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
If you rest, you rust. Helen Hayes
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
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4HMom
True Blue Farmgirl
720 Posts
Kelly
Montana
720 Posts |
Posted - Nov 14 2009 : 07:12:50 AM
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We have them at the school farm, but I just know I like to watch them from my classroom window. I'm not much help. :)
"Be the change you want to see in the world" -Gandhi |
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shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Nov 14 2009 : 09:51:47 AM
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Does anyone have SHEEP? Oh BOY do we have SHEEP! Several of us on here do as a matter of fact.
I've been raisng Babydolls for the past 11yrs now. I started back in the day when few people had ever even HEARD of a BABYDOLL sheep! I just LOVE them. They're small, easy to handle and don't get into TOO MUCH trouble, but they ARE still sheep, and allll that that entails!
I started out just where you are Brenda. Although, sheep were NOT something I covetted at first. I wanted cows, big HUGE, Docile dairy cows (yeah right!!). But my passion for sheep started one day when I was actually looking for rabbits. Cute, fluffy, ANGORA rabbits! I DID find the rabbits while surfing on my brothers laptop one day, but I also kept reading the the word "Babydoll Sheep." Of course, I'D never heard of them before, and my curiosity got the better of me. I clicked on a site and this picture came up. I could not BELIEVE what I was seeing! Here was this wooly face, these big ears, and a big SMILE. The lamb was peeking around the side of a barn looking as if he had some great secret hidden around the other side of that wall. I fell in love INSTANTLY!
Needless to say I DID get my Angoras, but I also got the sheep about a year or two later. I will be working on my THIRD generation next year, and all the sheep I have now (20+) are offspring from my ORIGINAL 5 sheep.
As I'm sure you've figured out by now, that love has ALSO spilled over to chickens (which I've had the longest, about 18yrs now), horses (just PETS, thank goodness), goats (coming out my EARS!) and anything ELSE that makes the barnyard complete. It drives my husband NUTS!!! But I love my critters and they get me up and out of bed in the mornings, especially when I'd rather stay IN IT!
If sheep are what you dream about Brenda, when the time is right, give 'em a whirl! BUT, expect the UN-EXPECTED. Trust me, nothing EVER turns out the way we PLAN IT!!! Farmgirl sister Hugs~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
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LakeOntarioFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
933 Posts
Brenda
North Rose
NY
USA
933 Posts |
Posted - Nov 14 2009 : 10:03:43 AM
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Lol Tracy, sheep too?!!!! :)
You sound just like me though, and of course now I am off to see if I can find any pictures of these Baby Doll sheep!
Thanks for the encouragement!
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
If you rest, you rust. Helen Hayes
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Nov 14 2009 : 4:34:49 PM
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Yup - I have sheep. I only have 5 - a spinners flock of Shetlands. I love my sheep - they are dears who love to be scratched. If you can you should give it a whirl.
In the past we have had cows, pigs and chickens. Right now it's just sheep and chickens and my dog of course.
Blessings, Sheri
"Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Nov 14 2009 : 7:30:30 PM
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I started with Southdown Baby Doll sheep - that was 13 years ago and hundreds of animals later but you never forget your first sheep. The flock was Marilynn, Star and Celest - they where a breed flock that won Grand Champion Breeding Trio at the National Western Stock in 1996. That was my first time every raising livestock and what an adventure my sons and I started. We added that fall Corriedal and Icelandic. What fun...
Your also welcome to join in at the All Sheep and Goat group - love having new folks.
I am living proof that dreams do come true - Larkspur Funny Farm is a dream that I get to live everyday.
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
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2009 : 9:22:17 PM
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For you people that had babydoll sheep, Is there wool good for spinning?
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
1498 Posts
Rae
MN
1498 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2009 : 12:56:50 PM
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I have sheep, finally!! 4 Romneys that have stolen my heart and as much as he won't admit it my husbands. I am a case of learning in process! Tons of info around here and thanks to the wonderful women it is making it easier for us!!
Rae
Farm Girl #647
...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles:...
Isaiah 40:31
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shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2009 : 2:01:09 PM
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Yes Beverly, Babydoll wool is good for spinning. It's used more for outer garments (hats, scarves, sweaters etc..) and socks more than anything else, but it blends well with other fibers (Angora rabbit wool is one), so I've been told.
I have not done any spinning myself, YET! (that's the next task on my "Master Farmgirl Plan"), but I know many spinners who LOVE to use the wool. I have people ask me all the time what I charge for my fleeces. Sadly, there's not much left once I'm done shearing them. The wool is usually in shreds and my poor sheep look like a flock of demented Poodles! It's pretty sad. I have given lots of it away.... at least the PIECES!!!
If it's SUPER fine spinning fleece you're looking for, the larger breeds are more likely candidates. Rae's lovely Romney breed is one, Mareno's are another, though it's my understanding that those sheep (the Mareno's) are VERY expensive if you're looking into breeding stock. Really, just about ANY breed of sheep has usable wool, except for the "Hair Sheep"-- the kind that SHED their fleeces. They're just for meat production only.
The first, and most IMPORTANT thing to do is decide what you want the sheep FOR. If it's just for weed control, pets, and/or spinning, I would HIGHLY recommend starting with Wethers. (castrated males). They can usually be purchased MUCH cheaper, don't have "Hormone issues" like breeding animals will, and they are FAR LESS DANGEROUS than having a ram (plus, the rams usually STINK!). Anyone who has never had sheep before should NEVER get a ram!!!! I know first hand what they are capable of, even if they ARE only KNEE HIGH!!! It's a very PAINFUL lesson learned, let me tell ya!!! Though I have to say it was my JACOB ram who taught me that lesson, not one of my Babydolls. I've yet to have a MEAN one of those, though I know a few people who DO! So breed seems not to matter, though large breed rams can sometimes outweigh a full grown man and can KILL you with one hit!!! SCARY!!!
Other than that, have fun! The search for the "Perfect" breed is just like falling in love, So EXCITING! Please don't forget to share with us when you finally choose your sheep. Hugs~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2009 : 2:08:48 PM
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Southdown sheep is the orginal breed that all the down sheep came from. They whre used to make under clothing - socks, underwear, and baby clothes too. They have an elastic property unlike any other sheep. They are also wonderful to spin into lace weight yarns because you can have socks that will stay up. You can also spin into any thickness and then knit something then felt. You will get a fabric that is soft to wear and thick to also also keep the cold out. I did tons of research before picking which breeds I wanted. Now mind you their is the Baby Doll Southdowns and then the monsters they now raise for show ring winning. I had the Baby Doll and they where National Winners!! Their meat is also considered the caddillac of sheep meat. No horrible after taste, tender and a great texture - in fact most top resturants look for this breed. When I raised them I had a waiting list for the meat - not too many animals you can say that about. I even had their hides tanned for many years and also had waiting lists for them. I also remind folks that several Presidents had Baby Doll Southdowns eating on the front lawns of the White House.
Baby Doll Southdown RULE
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
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2009 : 2:56:56 PM
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That's right Grace! I remember seeing pictures of the sheep nibbling the White House lawns. Even though it didn't say what BREED they were, I KNEW!!! Those faces are so distinctive aren't they?
My ram comes from an award winning flock from Washington state (Whidby Island in fact). His breeder is a teacher and an artist. She works in all genras, even fiber arts! His genetics have really made an improvement in my flock and I am so blessed to have him. I just LOVE them!!!!!
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2009 : 4:37:08 PM
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I have a merino and I just love her. I did not find her expensive. She was $225.00 they want upwords of $400 to $500. for a babydoll around here so I find them the expensive ones , in michigan that is. I will have one someday but not this year I don't think...but thanks for the info on them. I am looking for a sheep to mix with the merino so I can have some yarn that is not so fine as the merino. I would like to breed her next year to something besides the merino. She is a pretty big girl so I don't have to worry about her having the babies I would not think. Just am researching what sheep would mix with her to make nice wool babies...
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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shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2009 : 11:31:54 PM
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What kind of sheep are in your area Beverley? The Romny's are nice. I thought about buying some awhile back, but I don't think they do well in our area.
Have you thought about the California Reds, or the CVM's? (California Varigated Mutant. I do believe they are on the critical list with the ALBC, but I could be wrong). There are so many different breeds to choose from. You might also try breeding her to a different breed of ram each year and see what mix you like best.
I always thought the Merino's (DUH! I didn't think I was spelling that right!) were much more expensive. I guess EVERYTHING is expensive in Cali. (go figure!) I KNOW the Babydolls are expensive, especially the colored sheep (black, breeding age ewes can sell up to $1,000 each!). I guess I just take that fact for granted, since over half my flock is BLACK!
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
Posted - Nov 17 2009 : 08:04:23 AM
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yea I think everything in california is much more expensive. my daughter and her family live out there and housing compared to here is way over the top. the black babydolls around here go for about $500. I will get one someday... How big do the romney get? What kind of wool do they have?
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: Anyone have sheep? |
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Anyone have sheep?
