Shearing Done & Ready to Start Lambing!

Wild Rose Farm Ewes - Headed to Barn Before Shearing

We've had a lot of activity here at the farm over the last couple of weeks! Shearing was done on April 13th this year. Luckily the weather has been decent since then, but we still keep the ewes sheltered in the barn for a week or so if it is raining (or snowing!).  They adjust pretty quickly and by this time of year, they're ready to get rid of those winter coats. They also come in for shade if it is too sunny …

Shearing the Big Rambouillet Ram!

 We had one ram to shear since we sold the Dorset ram last fall after he completed his breeding assignment!  The Rambouillet ram was surprisingly "easy" to shear for our shearer, even though he is bigger than the ewes … he was calm and the only thing to watch was negotiating around the horns without hooking his arms.

Wild Rose Farm Ewes - Enjoying a Sunny Day After Shearing!

There are 8 yearlings retained in the flock this year, so we took 8 "side samples" of their fleece and shipped them to Yocum-McColl Testing Labs in Denver for micron testing.
Next up … lambing!

Time For Some Shade!

Wild Rose Farm - 25 Degrees in the Shade!

I looked out the window and noticed all of the sheep standing in the SHADE of the Loafing Shed.  I zoomed in on the ewes so that you can see them grouped in the shadow.  Folks, it's 25 degrees out there!  They can be lounging anywhere on the other side of the fence line and they choose to be in the shade where it's cooler.  With their wool fleeces, they are quite comfortable in the cold weather, just like the whitetail deer that you see bedded down in the woods. Just say'in for those that worry about the livestock … they could also be inside the Loafing Shed if they choose to be, but they aren't.

By the way, shearing is scheduled for April 13th this year!

Fleeces For Waynesburg Part Two ...

Maybe My Fleece Will Be In A Show Sometime!

More fleece pictures, but first, here's a nice ewe lamb resting while the fleeces were being skirted in the barn ...

Wild Rose Farm Rambouillet Ewe #554 

Our Rambouillet ewe #554 is a 2 year old & is due to lamb "any day now". This is her second shearing. 

Wild Rose Farm Rambouillet Ewe #555

Ditto the above comments for our Rambouillet ewe #555 ... another fleece from a 2 year old ewe who is due to lamb "any day now", lol. The lighting was a little strange last night with overcast skies, so using the camera flash seemed to yellow out the picture.