Loading ...We were very lucky to have many helpers over the last few days which has meant that we have been able to get 16 of the sheep rooed.
Leaving only 11 left, of which I am not sure all of them will be roo-able. We had said before that we didn’t feel brave enough to try shearing, and that we would continue to bring in a ‘professional’ but rooing so many has made me realize that perhaps shearing wouldn’t be so bad and if I did only a couple at a time my back might be able to stand it.
Now we are thinking that we might be better to spend the money we would have spent on a shearer on getting shears. I think it’s that or perhaps approaching one of our friends that has their own equipment to see if they would come out and show us how it’s done, so we can get a hands-on experience to decide if this is something we really could do.
Having heard horror stories about sheep and lambs lost to unknown diseases introduced to flocks by unclean shearing equipment. Thinking about the nicks sheep can get from a less-than-careful shearer, and the loss of fleece to second cuts. Rooing really does seem preferable to shearing, but some sheep simply don’t get the rise or don’t get it evenly so some shearing will be called for.
It always gets me how funny ‘naked’ sheep look in the Spring whether they are rooed or sheared. As a friend came down our drive the other day she spotted me in the field with the sheep and what, at first glance, seemed to be a really funny looking new dog, then he turned his head and she realized it was Bertram!
One thing I love about it though is that now I get to see properly all the spots and patterns on my ag sheep.
It was fun!! and I’ll be happy to help with whoever is still to be done. Oh yeah, only one light! or 2 if I hold the modem just so and squint my eyes!!
Comment by Cheryl — April 6, 2010 @ 1:20 pm
I am always up for learning new things. I have never heard of rooing before, and so shall spend some time on Google looking it up.
We looked into getting fiber sheep and goats for 4-H, but found that Texas 4-H clubs seldom have that category anymore. Meat goats (Boer) are the primary focus now. My daughter just couldn’t take raising/selling an animal for meat.
Comment by CeeCee — April 6, 2010 @ 2:33 pm
Me again. Wow, rooing is facinating! Much less stressful on the animal. Looks to be almost relaxing.
I wish I could do this with my dog.
Comment by CeeCee — April 6, 2010 @ 2:37 pm