MA sheep and wool festival

I am SO tired. We had a very good weekend at what was our first show for both sheep and fleeces. We left at 6am on Saturday and after a low bridge incident and a little map reading creativity made it to the show grounds at 8.30am. We entered Gypsy and Sabrina's fleeces in the 'Rare and minor breeds' class, Gypsy's was the one I was particularly proud of. Sabrina's was not as clean as I would have liked. Then we unloaded Gypsy and Dream Weaver and took them to their pen for the show on Sunday. After lots of practice they both lead like champions. A flake of hay and they settled right in.

Anyway then our tents went up and we looked around. I don't think it's bigger than the NH show but they have a lot more sheep there. 

At 2pm we got to find out the results of the fleece show and I am very proud to say that Gypsy's fleece won her class! Both fleeces also sold rather quickly which was a shame as I would have liked to get a picture of the ribbon with Gypsy's but when I went back with a camera it had already gone lol. 

On Sunday after a little asking around (and a lot of waiting) we found out that we were showing in the any other breed group in the wool division as we were the only Shetlands at the show. Dream Weaver came 3rd in the yearling ram class, getting beaten by 2 large welsh black mountains and Gyspy failed to place in her class that was a lot larger. I think the judge was looking for size and Shetlands are never going to win there, plus Gypsy is wonderfully delicately boned. The classes were a little disappointing and I'd like to see how they would do against other Shetlands. Overall the show was a success though and both sheep were fully admired, we also promoted the Shetland breed and Dreamer especially had a lot of adoring fans by the end.

Pictures will follow when I am more awake.

Growing along nicely

Well except for escaping sheep here at the farm (damn fencing) things are going well. We are getting ready for our first show which is both nerve wracking and exciting. Need to decide if I am going to bathe the beasties or not beforehand. Any suggestions?

The NH sheep and wool festival was very informative to attend and I learnt a lot about skirting and fleeces. Enough to think about showing a couple of fleeces as well as showing a couple of sheep at the MA sheep and wool festival. It was also nice to see Nadine as well.

Anyway here are some pictures of the lambs. They are growing beautifully. All of the lambs are very playful and curious. 

New fencing is on it's way thanks to Premier and my mastercard and hopefully the permanet will be enough of a shock that they don't try and visit the neighbors any more. I'll give a full report on how the installation and use goes :) 

And introducing....

Ridgeway Yosemite out of BluffCountry Jewel who was a bad girl and broke in with Dream Weaver. Anyway a very leggy and beautiful HST ram lamb greeted me this morning. I'm not sure why all my girls insist on being shy during birth lol. Both mother and baby are doing very well.

Better pictures will be coming later.

My Ram

I thought I'd introduce and post a few pictures of my ram so here is Bluff Country Dream Weaver. He has a very good fleece, great horns and a wonderful disposition. He has just turned a year old and I hope to take him to a few shows this year. Dreamer is always looking for someone to come and rub under his chin. He particularly likes to eat green cabbage and bananas.  Anyway without further ado here he is...

More lambs

Well there has been a delay in posting pictures but Sabrina had her lambs on the 10th in the evening and we were there to watch and help...ok just watch. For a first time mother she did beautifully and gave us Ridgeway Yates who has a very cool white marking which looks like a mullet lol and is the friendliest lamb I know. We also have our first girl Ridgeway Bella who is smaller than the boys and has a beautiful, delicate face. She's a little shy and likes to stay by her mama. They both have the softest fleece.

Now only Jewel to go who was a very bad girl and broke in with Dreamer I can't wait to see what her lamb(s?) will look like. I imagine they should be very flashy though.

First of the season

Hermione gave birth to twin boys today that were a lovely surprise at 7.30AM. Mom and babies are doing very well and are as cute as can be. They are Ridgeway Yippee who is 6lbs at birth. He has the best facial markings ever and such a pretty face. A wonderfully soft fleece and is very friendly.

Then there is Ridgeway Yankee who also has a few white hairs on his tail and an elbow. He is very inquisitive and managed to fall asleep in the hay tire after climbing into it. Both should carry HST genetics from their sire BluffCountry Dream Weaver who is looking wonderful now he is sheared and is staying a very dark black.

Well one down and one to go. Sabrina should be any day now. 

Welcome everyone

Well I finally did it and got a blog so that I can keep people up to date with what will hopefully be our first breeding season here on Ridgeway Farm. I'm not sure how successful it's been so far Bluff Country Dream Weaver who we all call Dreamer is trying his best with Hermione and Sabrina but he's a young guy (not yet a year) and I'm not sure if he's reached maturity yet so to speak. If nothing happens then he can try again next year but I would love to have lambs here in spring. they are so cute.

Several of the local Shetland breeders are forming a small group so that we can sell as a group both stock and wool. All of the details are just getting started but it's pretty exciting.

I have 7 sheep in total. 1 ram (Dreamer), 5 ewes (Sabrina, Hermione, Amelia, Jewel and Gypsy) and a wether (Zebedee) they share their barn with 3 cats (Miss Kitty, Kfor and Shivers). I'm new to sheep owning, Sabrina is my first sheep - I bottle fed her - and she will be 2 in April. I am hoping to learn more about sheep care especially how people are keeping their sheep clean so that the fleece is in good condition for when they are sheared. Anything really. So feel free to drop me a line, or link to me from you blog and thanks.