Raising Shetland Sheep for Wool and Meat | Fiber Farm Chronicles

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

Thank you for joining me to chat about my favorite breed of sheep! Don't mind the messy hands - Demeter is just a wee bit dirty. ☺ Did you learn something new? Is there something else you want to know about Shetlands? Let me know!

[@mymentorjane6705]

They look really friendly, like pets!

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

@@mymentorjane6705 they really are quite cuddly!

[@shepherdewan]

You can comment on my videos if you want to

[@PeaceJewel]

I felt like I was watching a short documentary! This was very informative. Your sheep are too adorable and they seem very aware that they are being watched...putting on a great show!

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

Oh, they were very excited when I told them to be extra cute so they'd get internet famous. 🤣

[@PeaceJewel]

@@LindaOfWindyOaks Haha! They definitely know how

[@NiaRankin]

Thank you for the thoughtful and thorough video! I'm in the research and planning phase of my shetland journey and you've answered a ton of my questions.

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

I'm so glad I could help!

[@marneyogle3192]

You're a natural teacher and it is lovely to hear what excellent care you take of your sheep and learn so much about sheep and specifically the Shetlands. I would love to have sheep! Thank you!

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

Thank you so much for the kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Sheep are a commitment, but so wonderful!

[@SoulfulSpinning]

So informative! I love how your ewe there wags her tale. Such a sweetie!

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

I fall in love with them all over again every time the tail wags!

[@anahithovhannisyan8954]

Thank you so much for this!! I'm planning to get Shetlands as my first large animal because I spin, and I was searching for a good in depth video like this. ❤ Will definitely be joining the groups you mentioned once I get closer to getting my flock

[@mrsgsfoodscience7346]

I love that your sheep like you. There is no hiding kindness towards animals. ❤

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

They're good judges of character. 😜

[@viviankeh441]

Wow this was so freakin' fascinating - thank you for giving us a glimpse into what raising sheep entails. I also really appreciate your thoughtful discussion on raising sheep for meat. Miss Demeter wants ALL the pets - so cute!

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

She is adorable. And I'm really glad you enjoyed it!

[@kaylieoharra2980]

Your video helped me decide what sheep to get for our homestead this year ...Spoiler it was Shetlands. (I am in love!) 😁

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

Yay! How exciting! Good luck with your sheep! ❤️

[@sunriseeyes0]

Thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge and experience with shetland sheep. I live in Hawaii and am hoping to buy some one day because they are so small and may be low impact on our ecosystem. Thank you for all the things to look forward to 🙏🏽💗🐑

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

I'm happy the video gave you some things to look forward to!

[@gabecox]

So fun that you brought your sheep into the video and we could see you interacting with them!

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

Thanks! They were curious when I was setting up and as soon as I sat down they decided my hands were free and so they should get scritches. 😄

[@mymentorjane6705]

I love all the detailed info. I couldn’t stop watching. The photos you inserted were really helpful too and added to the rich content. I know nothing amount any animal except my cats so this was great fun to watch. This would be such a good supplement for teachers and home schoolers. I’m going to share links with my friends that home schools and others who are avid knitters. Looking forward to receiving alerts when you post the new videos.

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

Thank you! I'm really glad you enjoyed it!

[@MsTilda2]

What a lovely lady you Are, 😊and thanks for all your information about the animal, 👍

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

You're welcome!

[@bobbinsandkalechips]

A very informative video! Thank you. And your ewes are adorable. 🥰

[@faithbuller4086]

Thank you for so much good information. I heard of this breed in my Homegrown & Handmade book and you provided a great video to add to my knowledge library.

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

I'm glad you found it helpful! They're wonderful sheep.

[@n.ayisha]

this was very informative and well-presented. i bought a shetland fleece at a fiber festival a couple years ago, and i have absolutely fallen in love with the breed ever since. i love the range of natural colors and the size is perfect for a generous sweater's quantity of handspun yarn. subscribed, and i will be checking out more of your videos.

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Shetlands are a special breed. ❤

[@marlabrennan9888]

Thank you for the very informative video. It was a blessing for you to share your knowledge and experience. Our family is beginning to research and learn what we can about the Shetland breed as we hope to raise a small flock of our own in the near future. Thank you also for speaking of the point of raising sheep for meat and what that process can be like for the shepherd. If we hope to breed to improve/grow our own flock it seems inevitable that we will have to make the decision to cull some of the flock at some point and admittedly that part does seem like it will be tough. Hopefully though, all of the other joys of raising our own flock will help see us through. 🐑

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

I'm so glad you found the video helpful! Shetlands are marvelous and are perfect for small farms, in my opinion. :) If you ever have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.

[@sdraper2011]

Wow, this information is excellent. Thank you!

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

You are very welcome!

[@lessalonelouann]

Thanks for another great video! I'm trying to find which breed I want and love the idea of something smaller and easier to handle physically. Thanks for the great info!

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

Shetlands are definitely a wonderful breed!

[@mycrazyfamilyid]

Ahhhhhhh, I can't wait to get mine! It won't be for another year (we just moved onto our property a few months ago and need to get it all set up for them)... :)

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

Oh, how exciting! Good decision to get everything set up first, though! It'll save you so much trouble in the long run.

[@elenasacali3505]

Thank you so much for all information.😁

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

You're quite welcome!

[@shepherdewan]

They’re clever 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

That they are!

[@jlmm4435]

Great information! I wonder why my rams always go after me! I try and touch their heads!

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

That would do it!

[@styledeals]

Thank u!

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

You are very welcome!

[@bluestarcharday]

I just got a sheep today through my mentor, this is my very first sheep ever. He is a Shetland and Finn cross and when I met him today he was very sweet and snuggly. I am wondering if you have any experience with mixed shetlands and if there are specific things I need to know about their fiber before harvesting and processing their wool. I really liked you video and I learned a lot, I didn’t know that you could train rams to respect you!

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

I'm so glad you enjoyed this video! Are you getting him some buddies? Is he intact? If he's intact, having a wether (castrated male) in with him would be perfect. If he's a wether, you can have ewes or other males (intact or not). I don't have experience with mixes, but they're not that different from purebred in their care and handling needs. Finn are also an "unimproved" breed, and so they have a lot of the same benefits as Shetlands. I bet his fleece is amazing!

[@bluestarcharday]

@@LindaOfWindyOaks He’s a wether so he’ll be able to hang out with my mentors flock as she’s boarding him at her house. I didn’t get a good look at his fleece but I’m going to take some samples on Saturday! I’ve gotten into hand spinning so come next year I will be processing his fleece from start to finish

[@willemh3319]

what about brushing or combing these sheeps wool for fiber

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

You do that after they're sheared in Spring. You don't want to do it on the animals as it can break down the natural qualities that provide them protection from the elements.

[@hartleyshandmade8471]

What hay do you feed? Our goats get peanut hay or just "feed" hay

[@jillbrong2272]

Hello: Your video is very informative, especially for a beginner sheep owner. I am an old horse girl and new to sheep and ruminent animals. My daughter got me to raise three orphan Baby Doll Southdown sheep this winter. Blueberry had a broken foot and only has one claw but is doing well thanks to the veterinarian's help. Anyway, I have a question about the free choice baking soda. I did have an episode of bloat and bought bloat medicine and got him through it. I was one of the wethers. I have a supplement sheep block out for free choice and they love that. How would I put out baking soda for them? Thank you for your time. Jill

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

I put a bucket out filled with food grade bicarbonate (you can find at your local farm store most of the time). I just leave it free choice just like the minerals.

[@530eman]

Great information thank you…!

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

You're welcome!

[@willowlaken6303]

Wonderful video. Would you think a mature ram could breed an East Fresian ewe? Thank you.

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

Yes, I'm pretty sure he could. I'd wonder about breeding cycles, though. I don't know much about Fresians. Do you know when they're in estrus?

[@willowlaken6303]

Oct, Nov and Dec I'm pretty sure

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

Then you should be good. You might need to keep him in there for long enough to ensure he actually bred them, or use a raddle or something.

[@leonievrolijk752]

Kan ik een zak met wol kopen ???????

[@MsTilda2]

Pumpkin seeds, is said to be deworming, is that correckt 🤔

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

It's said to be! I haven't seen any studies on it. I will say, the sheep love eating pumpkin, though!

[@clarissamay6610]

Hi! What do u use for dewormer? I just got my Shetland sheep🙂

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

Welcome to the world of Shetland sheep! Always check with your vet, and only worm when it's necessary. That said, I use Cydectin and Prohibit - both at the same time (in separate doses, though).

[@littletawelan443]

Great video thanks x

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

You're very welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@kirstinmccormack3202]

A really nice video..i will get tomorrow my shetland lamb….is. Ice to see with your animals :)

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

That's so exciting that you're getting Shetlands! Are they your first sheep?

[@kirstinmccormack3202]

@@LindaOfWindyOaks i rescue 2 lamb from a farmer..one i had to put down today..hardbreaking..because he was a pet..amazing pet..i looked up for a new friend for the other litte guy…and was looking for a small breed and only for pet…..and i found this breed,…read before about this amazing fluff balls ;) so looking forward to drive 2,5 hours to get one :) i have 2 pygmy goats, 2 horses, 2 dogs, 1 cat, chicken and geese…but inly for fun :) hatd wirh but when you see happy animals , and they show you they are happy makes the day :)

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

That's wonderful! I'm so glad you're finding a new sheep friend for your current one. Good luck with them! ❤

[@kirstinmccormack3202]

@@LindaOfWindyOaks thank you, and if i have question.. i come back..if its allowed ;)

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

Not just allowed, encouraged! Please ask any questions! If I don't know the answer, I probably know someone who does. 😁

[@shepherdewan]

The 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑 are getting a cuddle

[@stefaniejanosik5834]

Castor!! xD xD xD hilarious.

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

He is a pip on occasion, but mostly he's a charmer!

[@willemh3319]

and insect washing

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

Yeah, there are occasionally bugs, but they come out when you skirt it after shearing.

[@willemh3319]

@@LindaOfWindyOaks we used to drench the texel woolsheep for insects

[@LindaOfWindyOaks]

Ah, yeah, that's something different than I thought you meant. Luckily here I don't have to deal with those kinds of bugs.