What do you do to help the environment?

Dolly · Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 170

Na, not to worry, we'll get you over here and get practising on your shearing technique.

Hand shears, of course Twisted Evil

telegraph.hill · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 211 Location: Leeds, England

Wow! Sounds challenging. And I suppose you have to sort of hold the sheep still at the same time? <envisages a struggle>

Dolly · Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 170

Yep, and you envisage the struggle correctly!

Most sheep will sit quietly once you get them on their backsides, but mine don't seem to have read that particular rule book Confused

Plus the hebridean has lovely big curly horns. I once got hit on the nose. It is not something I would wish to experience again Sad

deelip · Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Posts: 35

hmm. I would reuse bottles and plant some trees.

telegraph.hill · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 211 Location: Leeds, England

I hope your nose is better now, Dolly!

So have you done your shearing for this year?

rattitude · Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 101

I hear you about recycling. there is no recycling at my apartment complex and so for the first time in years I am not doing it.

Sheering eh? I used to watch sheering competitions from time to time but I never tries it myself. it looks like there is a very specific position that gets them to go quiet.

Dolly · Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 170

There is a specific position, but my sheep haven't got as far as that chapter!

Trouble is that mine are all extremely tame, so there is no fear. And besides which, sheep are actually smart.
If you hear people saying they are stupid, then know that you are speaking to somebody who has never tried to train one.

I won't be entering any shearing competitions Laughing

The Icelandics have to be done again in September, TH.
It should be easier this time cos they aren't all felted up.

It's a plus to having Icelandics - you get two fleeces per year. The downside is - you have to shear them twice as well!

telegraph.hill · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 211 Location: Leeds, England

So when does the felt making get underway?

Dolly · Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 170

Usually when I've got flu Laughing

It's the only time I actually sit down and don't do anything. Carding can be quite relaxing when you have flu.
It occupies the mind, when the body is exhausted!

Nogard · Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 23

Well, does not peeing outside count? LOL...I don't use cans and if I do they get recycled. The plastic I use gets recycled. I eat meat which helps control the animal population. I don't smoke so I don't pollute the air.

rattitude · Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 101

I don't think sheep are dumb but they always look at me with this suspicious expression like they think I might suddenly leap at them and bite them on the nose at *any* second. Just comes from being a prey animal I suppose Wink

Dolly · Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 170

Well, here's one for you to go and investigate, Rat.

Primitive sheep are supposed to be more intelligent than commercial. I wonderif anybody has ever officially declared it?

Oh, and a quick thought. They tend not to flock. Apparently you can't work Icelandics with dogs. Going on what my friends experience last month when the shearer brought his dog, I am presuming this to be true Shocked

Nogard. Peeing outside is very good. Provided it is on a compost heap or to keep foxes away. Somehow I don't think you meant this Confused

rattitude · Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 101

I used to live on a sheep farm and I must say we are starting to bred them stupider. There were very very obvious difference between the old hardy breed (blackface) and the newer more commercial breed (Suffolks) that started with the lambs at the very beginning. The blackface were always more active, curious, aggressive and independent. they had their lambs with little help, the lambs tried much harder to suckle and the ewes seemed much more protective and interested in their lambs. the suffolks ewes just drove me crazy with ignoring their lambs during those crucial first hours and days.

Dolly · Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 170

Funny you should say that, because my friend has 6 suffolks. Every year she has problems with at least two rejecting their lambs.

You wouldn't think that having just 6 ewes lambing could be that time consuming and stressful, but it nearly drives them nuts.

telegraph.hill · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 211 Location: Leeds, England

I think if we peed outside the neighbours would object.