The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Collie26 on May 27, 2011, 12:32:39 pm
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:wave:
We are going to get shetlands and know that fleeces are practically worthless.
Sheep fleeces can be used as loft insulation and was wondering how and what treatment is needed!!
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It seems a terrible waste of a Shetland fleece to use it as loft insulation. The more usual breeds for that are the far coarser types, which don't compress too easily. There is definitely a market for the better Shetland fleeces, especially if you choose your flock with fleece quality in mind. The Shetland has been bred for many years for superior fleece quality, so if you make a point of learning about it you should be able to sell many of your fleeces to hand spinners, either online or at events such as Woolfest. Another option is to get your wool clip spun up commercially at mills such as The Natural Fibre Co so you can sell knitting yarn, or woven into rugs and throws for use at home or for sale. Only the worst quality fleeces would be useful for loft insulation, but I think they would need to be treated against mice and creepy crawlies. Shetland fleece is lovely - even the sheep smell lovely when they are in full fleece - except tups which absolutely don't ;D ;D
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Im buying out of a flock that won 3 out of the 4 champion shows in either stock or fleece so is a good starting point.
However with living in the north east we have a big problem with people paying extra for rare breed amd we havent got the time to spin the wool, and as we need the inslation we just put 2 and 2 together.
However we will look into the idea of selling to handspinners
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I've just remembered that the Natural Fibre Co now has a felting machine which can turn out insulation batts - could be worth enquiring about cost, or just chatting to them about how they prevent infestation. If you just use raw fleece for insulation it would definitely get colonised and I don't know how best to treat it to prevent that. Even if you just washed the fleeces in rainwater then layed them out to dry that would help a bit by getting rid of the smell which attracts insects. Some of the commercial stuff is made like a sandwich between two layers of foil.
The people you are buying from should be able to give you information about fleece qualities, and the Shetland Sheep Society website will have more information. Even though you won't have time to spin the fleeces yourselves, it is a good idea to understand what makes a good or bad spinners fleece so you know what quality your fleeces are.
Your new lambs will be SOOO cute :sheep: :sheep: :sheep: :sheep:
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Thanks for this, cant wait to pick them up.
Will contact that company and see what they say.
Where abouts are you?? Do you have a market for rare breeds??
I know up here in north east people arent willing to pay the extra for better quality.
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Hello
OK.....Shetland fleece much too good....if from good flock/sheep for insulation as much too soft! Also there are several other uses! Natural Fibre co has my machinery from the processing part of Woolly Shepherd.....FW is wrong though, she cannot make insulation batts with it though! However she soes have the facilities that I once had to make batts into needlefelt. (theoretically you could make insulation like this from own fleece but would work out VERY expensive) The needlefelt you could produce from good shetlands would be more than worth doing as its so good it could be used for clothing, bags, blankets etc
The new Woolly Shepherd www.woollyshepherd.co.uk (http://www.woollyshepherd.co.uk) DOES have the facility for making yours and anyone elses into insulation! Give her a call on 01823 400969
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Ah - I wondered if that would bring you out into the sunshine Val ;D ;D :wave: Sorry about the mistake but good to know someone can do insulation. How would you recommend the batts should be treated against pests?