craftyhunnypie Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Hubby watched Escape to the Country last night & wanted to know how much you get these days for a whole sheep fleece? He fancies keeping a sheep or two in the future! I sure someone here will know. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Try asking Lesley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Somebody dumped a load fleeces in our wheelie bin last year when it was at the bottom of our drive waiting for collection so I reckon they're not worth a lot of money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 Peanuts....I was discussing this very thing with my BIL on Tuesday. I asked if I could buy a fleece from him so I could do some felting and possibly spinning with it & he said he's give me one, bless his cotton socks! Having said that, the last wool cheque was infinitely bigger than the previous one SIL said, though still didn't cover the cost of the shearer!! Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted April 18, 2009 Author Share Posted April 18, 2009 Oh - what about Alpaca wool? Do you have to shear them or not? Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 No idea, ask HENthusiastic, she's just getting them! Sha x p.s. the felt chicken is looking more chicken- than dipper-like now, I'll send you pics as soon as I can! Had a lovely time felting, but got very very sore fingers!!! xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 When we were in Wales last year we visited a farm and watched some shearing. The farmer said they only got pennies for the fleeces I'm kicking myself now as I can't remember the exact amount, but I do remember it was ridiculously small - under a pound Edited to add: OH thinks it was about 20p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 I know at the farm they get pennies for them, and if they're not sold they have to be sent to be incinerated as industrial waste or animal by-product Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Here I am! You do sheer alpacas Suris get sheared every other year and Huacas (the most common ones) are sheared once a year. The fleeces are a lot more sellable than sheep wool, because its so much softer and stronger (and theres less of it about). But I think basically the real way to get any decent return on them is to do more of the process yourself. I'm going to learn to spin the fleeces myself and then hoping to sell the yarn. Aparently this is better way to do it financially. I'm not totally sure about this, not having even got my Sentinal Alpaca heard yet! My boys are due to arrive in about a month, just after shearing and I will be getting their fleeces, so I will know more soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Lesley did a lot of research into preparing sheep fleeces; she may have some information if you ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Thanks for that Claret, I'll pester her soon as I could be collecting a fleece on Sunday ! Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 She's busy with lambing at the moment, but might be able to give you some advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 No hurry, I'm sure the fleece isn't going to worry if I don't get on with it for a month or so!! I'm trawling the net to find info, with very little success at the mo! Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Id be interested to hear what you find out. I have images of me sitting at my wheel spinning alpaca fleece, but have no idea how realisitc this is yet, or if the fleece has to be treated first. good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 I think that it needs to be treated first, but don't quote me on that. There's a difference between preparing a fleece for spinning and for just using as a fleece, that's all I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 At last the first vaguely useful article about washing a raw fleece......I don't have a top loader washer anymore (more's the pity - fantastic piece of kit, much more efficient than a front loader ) http://www.ehow.com/how_4530833_wash-raw-fleece.html I can't believe I have just clicked to see how to make a no-sew fleece poncho (one of many interesting links along the side )....I must now step away from the computer & go outside & clean a cube or two!!! I haven't read it but here's an alpaca fleece article... http://www.walnutcreekalpacas.com/spinning_alpaca.htm Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 thanks for that link. It was really interesting. Right, must look into how much a drum carder is................ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
