I have hesitated long enough. I have a beautiful 4 year old Border/Bluefaced Leicester ram that handles well on a halter. I can no longer use beautiful Galahad because I want to keep 2 of his beautiful daughters. Their fleeces are so luxurious and fine that I prefer to keep them and look for a new ram. I am up to 5 ewes now, all BL/BFL X. If you are reading this and have a friend with sheep, I would really like to trade with another small breeder like I am. Galahad throws beautiful lambs, but I cannot breed him to his daughters. Pictures are forthcoming. Galahad is white and very broad across the back. As a yearling he had beautiful pencil curls. His fleece is still just as gorgeous now as then. With all the rain we are getting on a daily basis, it is also snowy white.
Do not hesitate to respond to this if you know someone who might trade me. It would be a travesty for Galahad to become freezer fodder.
My life a few days at a time. I have outlived my animals so some posts still talk of WindSong Fibers Farm.
Showing posts with label fleece. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fleece. Show all posts
Friday, June 19, 2009
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
So Much To Be Done
Here it is a day away from October and I'm not ready for winter. I have 3 shelters to build for the sheep and goats and a hen house to winterize. I also have about 8 extra ewes and 2 rams to find homes for. I really hate to part with those ewes as I am really pleased with the fiber I'm getting. I have a 2-fold breeding program.
The first program I'm breeding a 50/50 blend of Border Leicester and Bluefaced Leicester for a silky long lock for durable yarns. The next program is more complicated. I love Babydoll sheep but only have 3 but they are mixed with a percentage of Finn. They still have the babydoll type fleece. The only problem is that the fleece is short. Now I'm not complaining about the crimp, mind you, only the lack of length. So I introduced a 50/50 Shetland/Finn to my Babydolls last fall. I didn't get the typey fleece from my older ewe who is 50/50 Babydoll/Finn. However, her 2007 twin daughters who are 75/25 Babydoll/Finn presented me with very crimpey/longer-fleeced youngsters. The feel is luscious. The little ram even has close to a babydoll face and the size is just a fraction more than the original babydoll breed. I will get some pictures to post this week. I want longer fleece with the babydoll crimp and softness. I am continuing my breeding program this fall to improve on what I have. I want fibers that yearn to be next to the skin. Let's see how well I do. Until next time......kate of WindSong Fibers Farm
The first program I'm breeding a 50/50 blend of Border Leicester and Bluefaced Leicester for a silky long lock for durable yarns. The next program is more complicated. I love Babydoll sheep but only have 3 but they are mixed with a percentage of Finn. They still have the babydoll type fleece. The only problem is that the fleece is short. Now I'm not complaining about the crimp, mind you, only the lack of length. So I introduced a 50/50 Shetland/Finn to my Babydolls last fall. I didn't get the typey fleece from my older ewe who is 50/50 Babydoll/Finn. However, her 2007 twin daughters who are 75/25 Babydoll/Finn presented me with very crimpey/longer-fleeced youngsters. The feel is luscious. The little ram even has close to a babydoll face and the size is just a fraction more than the original babydoll breed. I will get some pictures to post this week. I want longer fleece with the babydoll crimp and softness. I am continuing my breeding program this fall to improve on what I have. I want fibers that yearn to be next to the skin. Let's see how well I do. Until next time......kate of WindSong Fibers Farm
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