Igrew up without any farm animal experience . A kinfolk dog and some hamster were the limit of my hand - on beast affair . As a young adult , though , I became a serious gardener . And when my husband and I read thatchickens were good for the garden , eating bugs and scratching up soil whilefertilizing , we buy five chick . They were the gateway animal to a lifestyle change .
In addition to antic eggs and improvedgarden health , the Gallus gallus were entertaining and teach our kids responsibility . The undermentioned year , we got more poulet , followed byPygora goats , because I am a womb-to-tomb fan of fiber arts .
I come from a phratry of quilters and sewers and catch the fiber artistry bug too soon . I get wind to spin when on maternity leave , and I thought that by choosing Pygoras , I was set about fiber to spin and weed - eating machines . While Goat mold very well for some people , they did n’t fit well with us .
While we were work off - farm jobs , the goat would visualize out raw and exciting ways to make thing difficult . They butted downspouts closed , tore up the Gallus gallus foot race and moved everything not improbably backbreaking or permanently mounted somewhere . Every time we solve one trouble , they came up with a new idea . Because we were juggling two full - time Job and two active minor , we decide to sell the goats .
However , I missed the day-after-day routine of caringfor animals . I wanted Shetland sheep because Ilove Shetland woollen , but I was afraid I would n’t be able-bodied to keep them live . I did n’t have any sheep experience and had heard that it was unmanageable to keep sheep alive .
As luck would have it , a ally who shear my goats had two Jacob / Shetland - crossbreed ewesshe wanted to betray , and she promise to help me if I encountered problems . The sheep arrived in other spring . Within two month , I was hooked . They did n’t have any sign of sickness , gimp and crotchety problem like the laughingstock we had antecedently .
That July , I contacted a Shetland breeder a few hours aside and purchased three pedigreed ewes . Once I get my hands on pure Shetlands and saw and felt how much soft their wool was than the crossbreeds , I knew the direction our farm was headed . I ’ve never look back .
Super Sheep
Shetland sheepappealed to me as a hand - spinner because of the softness of their wool , and as the person who does most of the work on the farm , at the time accompanied by two small kid , their belittled size . I love the hardiness and little stature of the breed . They do n’t take constant care to thrive , andmiddle - school - senior kids can easily treat , flipand take care of them .
Their arse do n’t need to be docked , and they’reexcellent mother and fairly parasite immune . I can hale single fauna , including Ram , in a large dog crate or well rise creature into a transport cage on the back of the hand truck .
Shetland sheep come in 11 colors and 30 nock formula , so our sheep can be quickly recognize as somebody . I can see out the kitchen windowpane , see a sheep skimming and directly know what its name is .
While we each have our favorite sheep , we near the sheep as a job , not pets . I tell hoi polloi I figure out cheap , but not free . And thesheep must make up their own style .
Our main product is wool . We sell hand - spinning wool topically and over the internet . Fleeces that do n’t sell apace are process into roving or yarn which is then sell at craft carnival and online . We also sell breed stock to young shepherds wanting to heighten Shetlands or established stock breeder look for new bloodlines . Extra ram lambs or any animal undesirable for breeding is sell directly to consumers for meat or as a fibre “ pet . ”
While the small height of physique of Shetlands does n’t compare to more extremely muscle breed such as Hampshires and Texels , there are two positives .
We are fortunate enough to have a local central processing unit from whom we retrieve the fur and any horns , which we use as value - added merchandise . We salt the pelt for about a calendar month , and then send them off to be call on into washable sheepskin . The cost of the last product underwrite all postage stamp and processing and , depending on fibre length , color and size , may give us more profit than the pith itself .
Horns can be sawed , sanded and drilled to give unequalled release , which knitters love to use with point pucker from 100 % Shetland wool . If you look at the whole picture , our Shetland sheep allow for my family with quality meat and excellent wool and yarn , and they append income beyond their expense to the farm account .
Lambing highlights the ease of bring up Shetlands . We lamb on lea , and they almost always go forward with minimal interference . It ’s always exciting to see how the random memory / ewe combinations we select produce , not just in terms of configuration and breed characteristics , but consistent soft , crimpy fine fleece colors and markings . We sometimes lease out a random memory or spawn ewes for other folks as well .
To Get Started
So how do you start if I ’ve convert you that Shetlands would be a marvellous addition to your farm or homestead ? What infrastructure do you need in place ?
1. Fencing
dependable fences keep sheep in and predators out . you’re able to use woven wire or mellow tensile , although you need more strands and some humble to the ground , compared to distinctive cattle fencing . Due to Shetlands ’ small size , their stocking charge per unit is high than tumid breed so you do n’t need huge land area to keep a healthy flock . you could also use electronet fencing material to subdivide grass for rotational grazing for ewes and lambs .
2. Grass
Shetlands do easily on grass and hay . My sheep get very picayune grain unless fraught or breast feeding lamb . If you ’ve never kept sheep on your pasture , ask an extension broker to walk it with you look for noxious plants .
In the summer , stock up on some hay . I used to feed straight bales but have switched to round bales because they ’re so much cheaper . I think a heap about how to bung hay to my Shetlands to forefend foul their fleece with vegetable matter , which fall the note value of their sheepskin to hand thread maker . I fertilize hay grim to the ground but not on the ground , and I place hay rack so that I do n’t carry hay over sheep to fill the rack .
3. Feed & Mineral
Sheep are sensitive to cop , so do n’t course sheep any rations integrate for other livestock . They should have detached - choice sheep minerals available , and some sheepherder offer free - choice baking soda andplain salt as well . If you could feast out of the rain , or propose minerals out of the pelting , it ’ll last longer . Do n’t bury clear fresh urine ! A 5 - congius bucket will get you through a day .
4. Shelter
Shetlands are unfearing , and wool is isolate . Shetland fleece will disgorge piss in the rain . As a result , Shetlands need little shelter . My Aries the Ram never pass a dark in the b , and my ewes get two nights after lamb . That is for my gismo , not necessary . They prefer to be outside .
They always have access to a shelter to get out of bad violent storm and for shade in the summertime , but it does n’t need to be a bighearted barn . Use what you have . I ’ve seen good shelter made by stoop livestock control panel and lay a tarp over the archway . I do use lambing pens inside the b and move each ewe in a few days after lamb . We made them out of livestock venire we cut to size and staple to the wooden inside bar wall .
5. Halter/Lead Rope
Some would say this is optional , but it is n’t just for the show annulus . Being able to lead sheep around easily or have them lined up quick to turn over over to a shearer makes things easy in the long test .
6. Health Maintenance
I do almost all sheep vet handle myself . I vaccinate , trim hooves , deworm and take temperatures myself . To do that , you ’ll need some provision that are usable at most local feed - supply depot . I do maintain a relationship with a roving large brute veterinarian in case of emergencies .
7. Shearing Plan
Shetland sheep need sheared each year . Most stock breeder do it in the spring . Some do it themselves , and others make up a Moira Shearer to come . no matter of which path you prefer , the fleece is worthful , and you should formulate a plan in advance for getting it off the sheep !
Shetland sheep are comfortable to handle , hardy and careful . Their track record at lambing and mothering is striking , and they produce fleece and substance that can be used by the producer or sold to offset other costs . Breeders also find with child backing through the North American Shetland Sheepbreeders Association and fellow breeder , which helps coiffure fresh shepherds up for winner .
This article originally come out in the Nov./Dec . 2023 takings ofHobby Farmsmagazine .
