[Bumblebear]

I was just wondering what happens to the fleeces after the "final journey"...has anyone sheared them before sending them off?  The lambs are about 5 mths old now....

[Brucklay]

We've never sheared before they have gone off but so far we've only had a motley crew go off and not with particularly great fleeces in the future though I will be trying to keep some horns but I may not be successful but I am going to try as the Moorits have a good strong horn

[FiB]

Thats a great idea.  I will definately look at that when I do next year.  Not sure what the slaughter house will say - the 'sheepskins' are part of their accepted 'booty' I think.

[happy larry]

I think FiB is on the money,my local slaughterhouse was only charging £6 to kill a sheep in december,because the fleece value was strong.Not sure of todays prices though.

[Mallows Flock]

What a brilliant and simple idea...I had never thought of that but then I tend to send mine off Nov/Dec time so would feel mean sending them off naked... but for warmer months I may well do!!!! My Abbatoir charges £6 to have the skins back but I sell my fleeces for £5 each all day long to the Guild and my shearer only charges me £20 to come out and shear 10 so a profit of £30 towards killing costs before I start. Fabulous! Bumblebear.... are you an Accountant per chance?? LOL Happy Larry.... my abbatoir charges £12 plus £6 splitting fee so the fleece is MINE ALL MINE! MWAH HAHAHAH!
I used a different more local slaughterhouse last time and they gave me my horns back for free from my Shetland ram! They are magnificent. I see horns for sale on Ebay a lot and if reasonably priced they sell...another chunk off the killing and splitting fee.
Just another reason why Shetlands rock 

[omnipeasant]

I was told that if the sheep are rare breed the slaughter houses have to return your fleece if you ask. Don't know if this applies to horns.

[Brucklay]

Oh Omnipeasant - fleece or skin? Certainly would like to make an error on that score too as the Moorits have a lovely dense fleece - will really start having to look at my options