Our Sheep
Wanting to be as self sufficient as possible, we decided to find a breed of sheep that would be
suitable for handspinning and small meat production suitable for a homestead. Having raised
Hampshires and Suffolks in the past, we knew we didn't want to get back into the large
commerical breeds. We wanted a breed that was small, hardy, easy to handle and gentle. We
needed a breed that was known for easy lambing, came in many colors, and could hustle for a
good portion of its feed on brushy pastures. With research, we found Shetland Sheep.
The Shetland is one of the smallest sheep breeds. The ewes are usually polled (hornless) and
the rams usually horned. The breed is noted for its very fine, soft wool and the high quality of its
meat, though its smaller size limits its use in commercial meat markets. They are small-bodied
animals with no wool on the face, nose or legs, and small, erect ears. The legs are of medium
length and finely boned. A distinguishing feature of northern short-tailed sheep is the short,
fluke-shaped tail, broad at the base, tapering to a point, and covered towards the tip in hair, not
wool. This is excellent because they do not require tail docking like most commercial breeds.
The wool produced by the Shetland has historically been a valued commodity. Shetlands
produce numerous shades of wool colours, and this variety was commercially important to the
wool industry of the Shetland Isles, where natural wools are often used undyed. Tweed is also
produced from the coarser Shetland wool but the Isles are best for their multi-coloured knitwear
and for the traditional knitted lace shawls which are so fine they will pass through a wedding
ring. Fleeces usually weigh between 2 and 4 lb
Eleven main colours are recognised (most including many different shades): Light Grey, Grey,
White, Emsket (dusky bluish-grey), Musket (light greyish-brown), Shaela (dark steely-grey),
Black, Fawn, Moorit (reddish), Mioget (honey-toned, yellowish-brown), Dark Brown.
Over thirty different coat patterns are recognised, incorporating various combinations of the
colours.
We were very blessed to find a fellow homesteader that was willing to sell us a beautiful flock of
5 ewes and 1 ram lamb. We are thrilled to be able to keep these gorgeous little gems, and are
so excited to start lambing in April 2010. We will be keeping all our ewe lambs for a few years,
but will offer rams and wethers for sale.
Wanting to be as self sufficient as possible, we decided to find a breed of sheep that would be
suitable for handspinning and small meat production suitable for a homestead. Having raised
Hampshires and Suffolks in the past, we knew we didn't want to get back into the large
commerical breeds. We wanted a breed that was small, hardy, easy to handle and gentle. We
needed a breed that was known for easy lambing, came in many colors, and could hustle for a
good portion of its feed on brushy pastures. With research, we found Shetland Sheep.
The Shetland is one of the smallest sheep breeds. The ewes are usually polled (hornless) and
the rams usually horned. The breed is noted for its very fine, soft wool and the high quality of its
meat, though its smaller size limits its use in commercial meat markets. They are small-bodied
animals with no wool on the face, nose or legs, and small, erect ears. The legs are of medium
length and finely boned. A distinguishing feature of northern short-tailed sheep is the short,
fluke-shaped tail, broad at the base, tapering to a point, and covered towards the tip in hair, not
wool. This is excellent because they do not require tail docking like most commercial breeds.
The wool produced by the Shetland has historically been a valued commodity. Shetlands
produce numerous shades of wool colours, and this variety was commercially important to the
wool industry of the Shetland Isles, where natural wools are often used undyed. Tweed is also
produced from the coarser Shetland wool but the Isles are best for their multi-coloured knitwear
and for the traditional knitted lace shawls which are so fine they will pass through a wedding
ring. Fleeces usually weigh between 2 and 4 lb
Eleven main colours are recognised (most including many different shades): Light Grey, Grey,
White, Emsket (dusky bluish-grey), Musket (light greyish-brown), Shaela (dark steely-grey),
Black, Fawn, Moorit (reddish), Mioget (honey-toned, yellowish-brown), Dark Brown.
Over thirty different coat patterns are recognised, incorporating various combinations of the
colours.
We were very blessed to find a fellow homesteader that was willing to sell us a beautiful flock of
5 ewes and 1 ram lamb. We are thrilled to be able to keep these gorgeous little gems, and are
so excited to start lambing in April 2010. We will be keeping all our ewe lambs for a few years,
but will offer rams and wethers for sale.
Our Beautiful Flock
Anna-
3 yr old White ewe
3 yr old White ewe
Tansy
Yearling Emsket ewe
Yearling Emsket ewe
Willow
5 yr old Musket ewe
5 yr old Musket ewe
Susan
Yearling Moorit ewe
Yearling Moorit ewe
Diamond (and Tansy)
5 yr old Black ewe with 2 sokket legs
5 yr old Black ewe with 2 sokket legs
Georgie
2009 Spring Ram Lamb, Moorit
2009 Spring Ram Lamb, Moorit
We are hoping in the future to add a
small flock of Scottish Blackface sheep
and a few Jacobs sheep to have
different textures and staples of wool.
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small flock of Scottish Blackface sheep
and a few Jacobs sheep to have
different textures and staples of wool.
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