Brown and White and Wooly all Over | Foxfire Fiber & Designs

I am so enjoying the different colored fleeces in the wool clip this year!

Thought you'd like to see these photos of Latte's first shearing. Such a peanut, Gabriel scooped him right out of the holding pen and sat him down on the board. He and his sister Bailey have the finest wool of the four moorit yearlings. I am loving every second of comparing the shades of brown, the different textures and varying lengths of the wool staples. Since the fleeces are now snugly wrapped like "wool burritos", I haven't snatched any lock samples for close-up shots, but hope to get to that in the morning.

In one comment yesterday (or maybe the day before?) someone asked how we judge thick or thinness a sheep is who's still wearing a heavy fleece. Gauging body condition ("condition scoring" in sheep talk) is more difficult in winter since everyone looks round and woolly. You have to use your hands to see what's really happening underneath all that wool. By working your fingers beneath the wool to palpate the pelvic area, you can check the prominence of the back and pelvic bones. We try to do this whenever we're changing coats or trimming hooves. Sometimes we re-arrange groups mid-winter, based on what we see.

Up until yesterday, I had been a little concerned that Latte hasn't been getting quite his share at the feeder, since he's housed with the big boys. It's so interesting, even though he's the smallest, no one bullies him and we don't see him getting boxed out at the feed bunk. He's just small framed and slower growing. And he's become quite calm and social with us, much more confident in our presence. I really like this guy. Since he is a wether, I suppose he could be housed with his sister and the yearling girls – though I know he'd hate to leave his friends Chai and Cinder. When his fleece came off I could see that he really isn't bony, just small framed. And pretty darn cute.