The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Jon Feather on May 19, 2017, 02:59:42 pm
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For one reason or other we have a couple of ewes that didn't get sheared last year. We are about to get the shearers in to do all the ewes in a week or 2.
Q: will the "double" fleece from the ones that didn't get done last year be fit to sell?
We have pure shetlands.
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Unlikely. Shetlands are a naturally rooing breed, so there is a very noticeable 'rise' or winter/spring break in their fleece. With 2 years of growth, this will mean the break is halfway along the fibre length, and will appear to be a weak spot.
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What Juliet says.
If any of the fleeces are outstanding in every other respect - fabulous colours, beautifully soft, fine, crimpy, etc, - and both parts of the staple are sound (either side of the break), then it's possible someone may be prepared to manually break and card the two parts of the staple - I've seen one or two like this sell at Woolfest, in those circs. But only for a fiver, and one of the buyers later told me she'd found it more work than the fleece was worth.