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Barnyard Buddies:  Calling all FIBER Breeders  |
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Whirled
Farmgirl at Heart
5 Posts
Jennifer
Wamego
KS
USA
5 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 28 2011 : 10:01:36 AM
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Hi Lisa - Congrats on the little goatlings!
I sell on the internet a little. I have a yarn and fiber shop in Wamego and sell most of it there (not far from you in Salina, actually). I also sell at a few fiber events and at a large spinning workshop I teach at twice a year.
I am happy to recommend two angora goat breeders if you are seriously looking - one in Manhattan and one in Junction - who are wonderful. :)
http://thewickedstitch.typepad.com/a_whirled_yarn/ |
Edited by - Whirled on Jan 28 2011 10:02:47 AM |
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Daizy
True Blue Farmgirl
992 Posts
Daizy
Talladega
Alabama
USA
992 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2011 : 10:23:14 AM
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Hay Grace, I have visited your website and almost every other site on the search for Angora Rabbits. Can't seem to find any with stock to sell. I have raised and adopted bunnies all my life. The shelter here still calls me to come get their abandoned bunnies from time to time. My last rescue just died last year and it has been a bit lonely in the rabbitry so I have searching for angoras for about 6 months so very funny you should post this thread. I have few questions: Which type of angora is the most productive? I would like to start out with one buck and several does, unrelated of course, but can't seem to find any litters available. I am heading to your book store when I sign this post to see what you have. I would not mind rescued angoras or new kits, either way. Love and Prayers, Daizy
PHR Farmgirl #1093
A good day is when you find ALL your ear tags! I wonder how my cows would like my Farmgirl apron?? |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2011 : 11:13:13 AM
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Hi Daizy and Welcome
Let's see what I can do to answer a few of your questions.. The German Angora produces the largest amount and I love their feel. The English is finer in fiber and the French Angora is silkier. German Angora's are harder to find but well worth the effort.
There are several Yahoo groups for Angora Bunnies and German Angora Bunnies - there are many folks sells animals and also if you start talking with them they will head you in the right directions. I also find that at fiber shows (Large ones) you can purchase stock. Two that I had great sucess at for animal sales is Estes Park Wool Market in June and Taos Wool Festival in October.
I will hopefully be placing more animal books on both my Etsy and Artfire store soon - just been working outside most days because the weather is so great and because it is baby season and you have to get things done when you can. I will get to the fiber room today or tomorrow and pull the books and post the titles...
Side Note I have seen several listing on Craigslist too. Also, contact your local Extention Office and ask if they would give you names of the Bunny Leaders - those folks will know where the bunnies are hiding and it is always great to support the kids. I sold some of my top stock to several of my 4H kids and they did very well and made good money for their schooling that way.
Good luck and again welcome...
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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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2011 : 11:18:00 AM
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Hi Catherine - Welcome
I know several folks in Texas over the years who raise fiber bunnies and do very well with them. He is a few points - try to purchase close to your local because those bunnies have been raised in your climate and heat. Over time the animals do regulate themselves but if they come from colder climates to yours you will need to watch them carefully. If you willing to run fans and have good housing so they stay cool it is very doable...
You will have less fiber then someone in the really cold climates because animals will produce fiber in accordance to the climate around them. No matter what the animal - that is why when we get the really cold winters here fiber production is up, now remember I then have to feed differently also so I am not over heating their bodies and cause fiber breakage... It is a balancing but there is plenty of information to help you out.
Hope that helps and again Welcome.
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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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2011 : 11:25:17 AM
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I had to laugh about the goats and getting out - Your right ladies they can be a challenge but I personally had more sheep getting out then my goats so I guess it is just who is at your farm. Goats will keep you thinking but that is my way too. When planning your fencing and gates keep in mind most of what you need to do is ask folks what works and what does and why. I have graduated fencing that is 5 feet tall. I have huge round wood posts driven into the ground to anchore my gates and then mesh in the gates so little ones can not get out and prediators can not get in..
I have over 25 billies with huge horns and fencelines can take a beating if they are breeding or without something to keep them playing elsewhere. I do not electrify fencing - too much risk for injury or death. I have not had any escaping since my youngest son now longer lives here. He was the reason folks got out because he did not shut gates correctly. Hope that helps some but we sure can talk more about ways to keep animals where they should be.
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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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2011 : 11:31:27 AM
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Hi Jennifer - You have named some incredible sheep with fantastic fiber but they are a ton of work to keep those lockets spotless for tailspun yarns. Most of my breeder friends who raise them coat them and also tie up the lockets to the tips will not be damaged or bleached. You can also do tailspun from Suri Alpaca, the new Suri Llamas, Mohair lockets and there is the Kommador Dogs. I too love the sheep breeds you mentioned and luckly I have a couple of friends who I purchase their fleeces from for my tailspun. Jennifer if you get into those breeds consider me your first customer....
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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Daizy
True Blue Farmgirl
992 Posts
Daizy
Talladega
Alabama
USA
992 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2011 : 11:33:48 AM
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Thank you so much Grace, I too have been outside, with a bottle baby and Momma cows dropping calves. I love my ranch!!!and the babies!!! I was into 4H with DS but no one had bunnies, everyone was interested in Chickens but I will call extensions in mine and neighboring counties. So true about fans and air circulation in summer here in the south. I even have a section that is equiped for air conditioners if needed. I never had to use it with the adopted/rescued wabbits but if I am going to produce fiber then it will most likely be put to use. I Also do other things in that section so it will serve a dual purpose. I did not see books on your site but I will check back if you are putting them back on or you could just send the titles and I will search for them to purchase elsewhere if you want to keep yours. I don't spin yet but I have been searching for a way to diversify the ranch and don't really want to go the way of meat wabbits. I just can't do that...its hard enough to send away the cows. We are a grass-fed all natural operation and I get attached. Thanks, I'm going now to call extension. Daizy
PHR Farmgirl #1093
A good day is when you find ALL your ear tags! I wonder how my cows would like my Farmgirl apron?? |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2011 : 11:39:45 AM
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Congrat's on the babies Lisa - I hope you share photo's - do you have a blog???
To answer your question about selling - when I first started we did show our animals to get our name out and for folks to know our stock, we sold fiber also at shows and I traveled almost every other week off the farm all over the country. Once we became organic the animals stopped traveling because they would have to sit in isolation for 6 months away from the animals and we had enough blue ribbons and thropies so I just could not do that to my animals and mantain my beliefs. Then I also sold to retail stores in 6 states and also did five farmers markets each week for two years - once my sons left the farm I stopped traveling and added on line stores. I still thru it all also maintain a retail store on the farm and have done so for the past 15 years.
So there is my story how about the rest of you?? Which avenue do you find gives you your best sales?
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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modjeska
True Blue Farmgirl
52 Posts
Lisa
Salina
Kansas
USA
52 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2011 : 3:35:17 PM
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JENNIFER.... I can't believe you own the yarn shop in Wamego!!! I was just talking about it today and have always wanted to go there.Don't you do alot of spinning there too? My friends and I are taking a day trip to Paxico for my birthday in 2 weeks and were going to stop in Wamego to see your shop. How crazy is that!!! I am very interested in angoras. I also saw there was a breeder of colored angora in Wakefield. I would love to get the info of the breeders you know.
I am having fun with my little kids. I don't have a blog. I never thought I had anything to say that people would want to read LOL. I will look into it. I am on facebook,( Lisa Logan ) and there are pics of them there. The little one I brought inside is back with her Mama and doing really well.It is 69degrees here today I wish my other doe would have delivered today! |
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modjeska
True Blue Farmgirl
52 Posts
Lisa
Salina
Kansas
USA
52 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2011 : 3:43:21 PM
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I would also like to know what type of fencing has worked the best for everyone's goats? Has anyone hade sucess with electric fence?
Lisa |
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Daizy
True Blue Farmgirl
992 Posts
Daizy
Talladega
Alabama
USA
992 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2011 : 3:43:24 PM
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Hay Ya'll, Ok I'm jus going to pop in here and ask...Lisa is Logan your married or madian name....I'm asking because I went to school with a Lisa Logan and I don't know if she got married or not...just popping in here...sorry for the interruption...we went to school in Birminhgam Alabama.?.
Love and Prayers, Daizy
PHR Farmgirl #1093
A good day is when you find ALL your ear tags! I wonder how my cows would like my Farmgirl apron?? |
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modjeska
True Blue Farmgirl
52 Posts
Lisa
Salina
Kansas
USA
52 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2011 : 3:46:11 PM
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Long story, but Logan is not my maiden name or my married name. In another life I used to think I was an actress. Hahaha. So sorry not the same one. ;)
Lisa |
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Daizy
True Blue Farmgirl
992 Posts
Daizy
Talladega
Alabama
USA
992 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2011 : 4:05:29 PM
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LOL YOUR A HOOT Gotta love my SISTERS..... Good Daizy to meet you, anyway!
PHR Farmgirl #1093
A good day is when you find ALL your ear tags! I wonder how my cows would like my Farmgirl apron?? |
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Daizy
True Blue Farmgirl
992 Posts
Daizy
Talladega
Alabama
USA
992 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2011 : 4:06:45 PM
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Daizy was sppose to be at the end Don't know how that happened
PHR Farmgirl #1093
A good day is when you find ALL your ear tags! I wonder how my cows would like my Farmgirl apron?? |
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modjeska
True Blue Farmgirl
52 Posts
Lisa
Salina
Kansas
USA
52 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2011 : 07:19:35 AM
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Still researching fiber goats. I was wndering what they opions of Angora and pygora goats are. Is one better to start with then the other. I also heard that prgoras coats don't coesen with age like angoras. Is that true?
Hope everyone is doing well. We have some winter weather coming in today and tomorrow. The low will be 7 with wind chills bringing it down to below 0 so.... my other doe will most likely deliver in the next couple of daysLOL.
Lisa |
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Daizy
True Blue Farmgirl
992 Posts
Daizy
Talladega
Alabama
USA
992 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2011 : 10:53:17 AM
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Hay Ya'll Yep, thats about right, Lisa, the babies always come during the most extreme weather. Good luck and stay warm....if I could I would send you some of my 60-70 degree days, but alas, we are dropping back into the low 20's in a few days....I bet you would take that too coz its still better than ZERO!!!
Love and Prayers, Daizy
PHR Farmgirl #1093
A good day is when you find ALL your ear tags! I wonder how my cows would like my Farmgirl apron?? |
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sunflowercritters
True Blue Farmgirl
1102 Posts
Debra
Springfield
Maine
USA
1102 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2011 : 11:03:31 AM
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Hi all, I just have been learning rovin fiber art, on bags etc. I would be interest sometime to buy some of you ladies fiber. Could you send me some prices etc.But I do have goats as well. Was wondering what it takes to make your own fiber?
farm girl Deb
I Thessalonians 5:16,17
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
http://sunflowercritters.blogspot.com/ |
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OneHippieChick
True Blue Farmgirl
195 Posts
Susan
Huntsville
AL
USA
195 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2011 : 11:57:46 PM
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I used to raise Angora bunns when I lived in South Dakota. Of course, they LOVED the cold temps we had there. I've been thinking about getting some to raise for fiber, but was worried that Alabama summers may be too much for them. It's something for me to ponder...
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Susan ~ Farmgirl Sister #1978
Fiber artist, spins, knits, crochets, sews, weaves, quilts, soap maker, as well as various beauty products and some natural cosmetics
Working on getting my Etsy website and blog up and running - stay tuned!
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2011 : 6:20:52 PM
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Well, it is -34 and to go even lower tonight - good times at the farm.
My personal thoughts on the pygora is they are cute little goats but I never could understand why I would want to make a smaller goat when I need more fiber?? Also the pygora have several levels of fiber fineness and I have not seen a good breeding program to get consistant quality. They also do get more guard hair in their fiber as they get older. They cross I love and breed is a Cashgora - that will give you longer staple length, loose lock structures and sheen. Again, depending on the stock you start with will control how well your fiber will be for generations. With the Cashgora you do not have the guard hairs and you can in some cases get two sheerings a year. That is how you will grow a profit in the fiber business. Pygoras also have two birth defects that can really be of issues - one is valve heart issues and leg joint issues. Again, if the stock as any history of this you are going to be breeding troubles.
I love spinning Pygora but again you sure would have to have a lot of them to make it profitable. Any one else have thoughts on this??
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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modjeska
True Blue Farmgirl
52 Posts
Lisa
Salina
Kansas
USA
52 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2011 : 8:25:03 PM
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Thanks Grace that was alot of great info. I didn't know about the birth defects, and you raise some very good points. I have not heard of the cashgora. What breeds to you have?
Whatever breed I choose I want to make sure I start with well bred stock. I am hoping to find some shows within driving distance, That might be hard in KS :)
Lisa |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2011 : 2:11:00 PM
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I presently have Cashmere, Angora and Cashgora. See a variety of stock and reading all you can get your hands on will help greatly because it is always too easy to fall in love with those sweet faces.
I am still trying to get the books on the shop sites but still stuck at home with the horrible weather a expecting babies so I have not been able to go to town and have my computer geeks get my computer to work correctly. It is not letting me open my files or talk to my picture files or cameras. Boy, I wished I could be so picky on what I want to do...
Hope all are staying warm and safe. The Funny Farm hit -42 degrees last night and the snow is falling again - hope we all will be out of this soon.
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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lsarah
True Blue Farmgirl
256 Posts
Lori
Greenwood
Arkansas
USA
256 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2011 : 8:24:51 PM
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After our first year of being in this business, for us, we have done better at fiber shows. I have sold a little handspun to folks around town, and made a few sales on Etsy. But, then again, I am still learning the avenues of where to market my product. Finding fiber shows has proven to be a challenge. There are only 3 within decent driving distance of where I live. I am constantly weighing how much gasoline and lodging will take off the top before I ever make a profit. I know I would have more exposure the more shows I could attend, but I cannot afford to go in the hole much at all.
~Lori
She works with eager hands...Proverbs 31:13
http://www.sarahkatefibers.etsy.com
www.sarahkatefibers.blogspot.com |
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Christy
Farmgirl in Training
46 Posts
Christy
Manhattan
Kansas
46 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2011 : 07:57:30 AM
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I just wanted to let everyone know about a weavers and spinners conference coming up in April 14-17 in Manhattan, KS. Check out the website for more info. www.kansasweavers.com or facebook KAWS 2011
Christy |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2011 : 4:05:31 PM
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Thanks Christy for sharing the sight for the show. I will be checking it out and passing on the information to my local fiber freinds.
Lori it is difficult to do shows that are a distance away but with doing your homework about the draw of the show, average sales and advertising that the show does you can pick ones that might make the money worth it.
I over the years only did shows that where juried shows because I knew I would not be sitting with weekend crafter but rather those who are doing this as a full time business and had quality products. Also if you might consider going in with another artist you can cut the costs, work and share the travel. Also another idea is to go in with a guild or even a breeders association. I can only speak for myself but that is where you build a rep and also I still have repeat customers from of first show.. Just my thoughts does anyone else have experience with shows out of their state???
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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modjeska
True Blue Farmgirl
52 Posts
Lisa
Salina
Kansas
USA
52 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2011 : 8:17:30 PM
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Lori- thanks for sharing about your business. It is very helpful to me as I am doing my research.
Christy- Thanks for the info about the weavers and spinners conference. I am in Salina. So glad to hear of an event like that so close to me. My oldest daughter goes to K-State, however she is in Itay for the semester. Lucky her!!
My little bottle goat is back in the barn learning that she's a goat and not a dog or a person,lol. Glad we will have a few warmer days to help her adjust to the cold. She has been doing really well, for which I am thankful. Would rather have her with her mama but oh well. I am going down there now to check on her before I go to bed.
Sweet dreams everyone.
Lisa
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Barnyard Buddies: Calling all FIBER Breeders |
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Calling all FIBER Breeders
