Angora shearing day today!

So today was shearing day for Alice, Sofie, and Oliver, Sofie went first and we got pictures but it's such a task that we forgot the other two's pictures!

Good to be done! Till fall!

And barn mucking day, after last year I tried deep bedding manure lac for extra heat, the barn without deep bedding stays ten degrees warmer than outside, with deep bedding 15-18 with all the adjustable vents wide open!

Six and a half 8 cu. ft. wheel barrows later it's all clean!

Do you spin the angora wool? I love the deep litter method. Sure beats the OCD method of scooping poop every day!

I have started making a spinning wheel, based on an antique, but have never spun before so it's all a learning curve!

I have garden tarp style fabric under my straw, so in the summer I just pull up the corners and haul out the " bag" when it needs done. Slightly more work after a winter of deep bedding!

These goats are like dogs I have trained them to do a trick or two each.....so.....

Not only are you learning to spin, but making your own spinning wheel too! I have hair sheep, there is a spinning group in my area, I know if I investigate, I will go out and buy wool sheep. Then i'll buy a spinning wheel......learn to knit and deluge my family with "gifts" LOL! You will have to let us know how your spinning wheel turns out!

I will indeed! Spring us busy season, so it may be a bit!

Do you find that the deep bedding ends up with a lot of vm (vegetable matter) in the fleece? That'd be my big concern with angoras.

Hi Chadwick,

I hope the weather's not too cool where you are as the deep litter would have helped the goats get over their cold shock after shearing and given them a nice warm place to park their bellies.

I'm looking forward to seeing that spinning wheel - how great to be able to make one yourself !