Fleeced

Poor Annabelle was feeling fleeced. Without wool OR fat, she had nothing to keep her warm when the weather turned damp and chilly Tuesday. What could I do to help? Wait; maybe the large, warm dog coat from our Doberman years ago would fit her!

I didn't get a photo of her in just the dog coat; I put the sheep suit over it to add a bit more insulation and full coverage since the dog coat doesn't extend to her tail head or as far down her sides. But you can see its neck extension (on the rest of the coat the patterned fleece is next-to-skin) and the broad belly band. This arrangement has made her more comfortable – and provides some protection against pointy little lambie feet!

Next I moved my ram Blake and his companion Browning into Breezy's old make-shift stall so they could dry off and stay dry for shearing on Wednesday. This made it convenient to snip a side sample from Blake to send in for micron testing; I also got samples from Marta and Sarai. All three look and feel wonderfully, spinnably soft (albeit compressed from wearing coats) – and amazingly enough, no one has spoken for either Marta's or Sarai's fleeces yet! (Browning's is still available, too.)

My shearer doubled-booked himself, so our Wednesday morning appointment shifted to Wednesday afternoon. I was hoping that would give the weather time to get a little friendlier, but it was as wet and chilly later as it was earlier. And the 10-day forecast doesn't show any change! Oh well, it shouldn't bother any of the five fatties that got defleeced.  ;-)

Above, it's Bittersweet's turn (he's more of a hot chocolate color now). I didn't take any other photos, as I was doing my best to keep up with Troy and not make him wait. I was mostly successful, too, with Brian's help!

Three of my sheep – Sarai, Bramble and Bing – proved to be pretty "sticky" yet when Troy started on their bellies, so I opted to pull them from the shearing line-up in order to maximize fleece quality. I'll scissor-shear them later, and am grateful to have the bellies done!

Now I have three fleeces to skirt, invoice, and ship; two fleeces to skirt and advertise; three sheep to scissor-shear; and two ewes to lamb. Without all her wool, petite Marta doesn't even look pregnant, but for a little developing udder that gives her away. I suspect she will have another single like Bing – but a ewe lamb this time, right?

That's it for now from . . .