Hi, new guy here. I'm semi-retired, work part time in computer support for the school, and have a 4 acre hobby farm on which I raise Shetland sheep, and chickens for meat and eggs.
I was born on a farm, and aside from various duty stations in the Navy have lived in the country all my life.
Mostly what I'm doing right now is playing around to see what picture I want to use for my posts... [img]/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img]
Yes, an adult Shetland ram will go 100 pounds more or less.
Very rugged, a "primitive" or unimproved breed. Very low maintenance, no birthing assistance required, stay out in the weather 99% of the time, closing them up actually increases the likelyhood of illness. Very fine quality wool, sought after by handspinners.
Tasty little beggars too [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
I have 5 brood ewes that drop twins for me 90+% of the time. Lost my herdsire this fall, hope to replace him out of this year's crop of lambs. I raise them primarly for the meat. I got 9 lambs last spring, sold 6 1/2 of them and made enough to cover my hay, feed and medicine costs. The wool market is pretty pitiful around here, but I have shipped some fleeces off to home spinners in other states. Still working on that market.
I attached a picture of one of the ewes and a couple of lambs.
I was a Spook (Cryptologic Technician) spent a lot of time in buildings with no windows in little out-of-the-way corners of the world, primarily in the Far East. Retired as a Senior Chief after 22 years.
Cambridge, NY, in the beautiful foothills of the Green Mountains.
Posts
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Re: Newbie
Great sheep!! I'd like to get a few Shetlands and Rommeys this spring, plus a couple of nubian (for milk), cashmere and angora goats. ( We have 2 goats now) The wool market is a terrible, but the wool will either be for myself or hand spinners. Can't make a living at it. Thanks for the great picture. [img]/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img]
You guys kept us up-to-date with the good "gouge" all the time. I was in EW - EA-6B's. Also did a joint tour as an EW watch officer in a building with no windows at EUDAC in Germany.
Glad you enjoyed the picture, it's one of my favorites.
I hear ya on the "can't make a living" that's why I'm 'mostly' retired. Gotta work a few hours to supplement my Navy retirement to support my hobby.. [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]