They live in Florida and were curious to experience life on a Missouri farm. While the weather wasn't the greatest for their visit, we still had lots of fun (both working and playing). I think the highlight of the week was our annual sheep shearing adventure.
The sheep were gathered into the barn the night before.
Here you can get the idea of Alan's "fancy" methodology to funnel the sheep where we wanted them to go.
Frank had fun playing shepherd with a shepherd's crook at one point, and carrying lambs on his shoulders!
Alan and Frank had lots of good conversations and Alan found him to be a very curious and willing worker.
This is an extra picture "for free" of one of the cute little observers!
While the sheep are gathered, they get their hooves trimmed and a shot of wormer to prevent parasites.
But the main event is the shearing, for which we hire Ivan. He is amazing to watch. You can tell he's been doing this for years and years. He handles the sheep so well and is able to quickly and cleanly shear the sheep of their excess wool. I think it's an art to watch him work.
Here is a video of him shearing one sheep. He has sheared sheep competitively and regaled us with stories about what is considered a good time, how they judge the handling and the final look of the sheep.I am always amazed at how much wool can be harvested from one sheep. Below is pictured the wool from just one sheep as the boys prepared to push it down into the bag. The sheep look so much smaller after the wool is removed.
Destry exerts muscle power to change the full bag of wool for an empty one. Unfortunately, wool isn't a great money maker--each year we just hope to get enough to pay for the shearing costs. One of these days maybe I'll experiment with spinning. . .
The sheep before. . .and after.
I'll post again later with other highlights from our week!
So neat! I'm looking at that full bag of wool and wondering, "how much yarn would that make?" Fun pictures, too!
ReplyDeletemy kids LOVED looking at the shearing pics, thanks so much for sharing!! the kids would love to know why the sheep lay so still? our very large dog NEVER stays still for his nail trim and they were amazed!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lot of work & fun.
ReplyDeleteJanet W
http://homeschoolblogger.com/wdworkman/
Kay, it's something weird about setting the sheep on its hind end. It's just a comfortable position for them which allows you to shear them and trim their feet without them fighting. (Now, catching them and wrestling them to that position is a different story! lol)
ReplyDeleteLove the photos. What a great picture story. Found your blog through the Weekly Wrap-Up and stopping by to say hi!
ReplyDeletemy sister and i would LOVE! to get into spinning!!! wonder if we could be competitive purchasers... hmmm - what FUN would that be!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun field trip day! We have a "Sheep to Shawl" event like that coming up at a farm nearby but we can't make it that day, and I'm sad. :(
ReplyDeleteFun! Too bad it isn't a good money maker. They charge enough for good wool yarn!
ReplyDelete