Apple Cider Vinegar Your Flock



With lambing season just around the corner, we are getting our checklists checked and ready to go. So I am reading and reading everything I can on lambing (for the 15th time). It's funny you start to recognize sheep farms online the minute you begin reading an article. You just know you've read it before, probably printed it and hole punched it and slipped it into your "sheep" binder. But still, you read it again, on the off chance there was something you missed, and just because your pushover for anything about your fluffy Icelandic sheep!


But every once in a while you run into something new, something so cool that you just can't wait to try it and you sure can't wait to share what you've just found. Now I know most of you have heard about the health benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar in humans, and maybe even some have heard of the benefits of it on sheep but I didn't know to what extent.


My first experience with ACV was last fall after our sheep were delivered. We'd had them about 6 weeks and we ran into obvious parasite troubles. Being new to the sheep thing I was doing what I could but it wasn't helping. Their eye membranes were pale, runny poop, all the signs were there. The vet couldn't get out to us for a few days to take a stool sample so I gave them Safeguard (a dewormer) on there recommendation.


As luck would have it, Margaret Flowers from Trinity Farms was delivering a Shetland wether to us and I asked her opinion. That my friends was a loaded question. When she saw their eyes she said rather alarmed "you've got a severe barpol parasite situation here and Safeguard won't begin to touch it"!


The following are the ingredients for the ACV Drench Margaret recommended.  I don't have the exact recipe right now (its in the "sheep" binder).


Apple Cider Vinegar
Garlic Powder (a generous amount...don't be shy)
Molasses
Sheep Nutri-Drench


In two days time their eyes were pink and fresh and the runs were a thing of the past!  I did give them a dose of  Ivermectin three days later for good measure.  But truly I think the quick treatment with the ACV had alot to do with their speedy recovery.

Now there are many varied opinions on whether the vinegar should be " or pasteurized and some say it is not necessary, while others say any ol' brand will do.  I for one used Heinz brand and like I said, it worked like a charm!

Some shepherds have reported that once they began a routine of administering the ACV to their flocks in their drinking water beginning at three weeks before lambing who had previous problematic births, the problems all but disappeared.  And others swear that their fleeces have improved by repeated use of the ACV.  One thing most agree on is that alone or combined with garlic and other ingredients, it can act as a natural antibiotic and barrier to diseases. 

Every flock is different as are the shepherds, but as the saying goes, everything in moderation.  I for one will be trying this ACV beginning at three weeks before lambing at a rate of 3-4 ml per week per head and see how it goes.  I will also use it as the first line of defense in future parasite situations especially during the hot months.

Hope this tidbit of information helps.  We are always on the look out for anything that can help us better care for our wonderful breed of sheep.  Remember, do your own research and make your own determination if ACV is something you would like to use with your flock.

To Ply or Not to Ply

These were the pictures I took of the first attempts to ply my single spun yan.  It was amazing, even if the end result was not exactly knittable.

Snow and Spin

The days are getting longer and the sure signs of spring can be seen, yet mother nature won't let us off the hook just yet!
Another snow storm is upon us. We rose early to see a whirlwind of tiny snowflakes falling from a white gray sky.
I have finally succumbed to the flu everyone else has had a turn with here and my head is heavy as I try to write this post. I sent DH on to Mass without us. An extra Rosary will have to take it's place for today.
But as I wondered through my congested fog I felt the urge to spin. And though I'd missed my last class I wanted to try and ply some single yarns I'd already made.
I can't seem to upload pictures for some reason I will try at a later date.
The result was a lovely (yet not balanced)kaleidoscope of colors blending into the white of the Icelandic single I'd already spun.
The joy that I felt at seeing this is more than I could truly describe. Suffice it to say that it encouraged me to look at my own wheel (I'd been using the one borrowed from the guild)and attempt to figure out what was wrong with it.
In short order I realized that it was the break band that needed to be set and though I still don't know for sure if I did it properly it worked like a charm!
I had been afraid that I wouldn't like using my wheel, a Kromski Prelude after having been taught on a Louet I quickly discovered that "my" wheel that my DH so lovingly bought form me is THE spinning wheel for me!
Well, it seems we will be snowbound for the next couple of days. Fortunately for me I have plenty of wool to spin.
Sorry for the squirly post as I am using my phone to post because the computer doesn't seem to be in the mood this cold winter day.

If you stop by please leave a comment! I would love to hear about your early spinning days or of your dreams to one day spin or knit.

Sandy
Shepherdess and (wool Spinner) hee hee

St. Valentine's Day

I couldn't resist one more post before I put myself to bed.  My first thoughts were to make a special dinner and dessert for my dearest. The day had other plans.  Our oldest Emma woke up and seemed fine as she worked on finishing her classmates Valentine cards but then suddenly she seemed to wobble a bit.  A touch of the forehead confirmed the fever.  Hmmmph...poor little piglet.  She crawled back into her flannels and back into bed.  Next was the three year old Abigale.  Ooh she's a tough one.  Runny nose and whiny.  Needed me glued to her side.  Not once but a billion times I took the trek upstairs to check on Emma and of course she always thought of one more thing just as I was already at the bottom of the stairs. Who needs a gym!
Ok, so by now I know I am home bound and will have to get creative with dinner! I look at the clock and shriek, it was already half past 2 and I hadn't even begun.

Well, as it all turned out I made a red sauce with meatballs over gnocchi.  Small tossed salad and a yummy white cake with homemade frosting.  I took all the leftover hearts Em had cut out and sprinkled them over the table along with a few rose petals.  Used the nice china, oh and for the final touch...found our wedding cake topper and placed smack on top of my little cake! It screamed romance...and I prayed Georgie thought so too!
This was the scene I set:

Emmies little hearts....

Then just as dinner was ending I realize I survived my crazy day without passing out or having a hissy fit because I didn't have on hand what I needed or should say wanted to have for dinner. What I DID have was a nice meal for my wonderful husband and family.  We had a yummy desert made with love and silliness. And I had them all with me...all around me.  What I though couldn't get any better did.

My sweetie left the dinning room for a minute and like a jolly o'l elf came back with trinkets for the girls and Nana (my mommy).  They all beamed.  I beamed.  Then, just like in a movie he slips me a little black velvet box and whispers "happy Valentine's day".  Inside was a shiny new Miraculous Medal that he knew I'd been wanting.  I was allergic to the one I had been wearing and had been heartbroken since I couldn't wear it any longer.  He is so thoughtful (and handsome too).  I think I am just going to have to keep him.

Here are the girls with their little trinkets from their daddy.

Emma 

and Abby

Good night all.  I have a little cuddling to do.

Happy St. Valentine's Day!

Sandy

Spinning a yarn!!

WOW!!! What a feeling! As of yesterday, I have officially been spinning wool fleece into yarn.  It may not be the the prettiest right now but it sure is nice to see it winding up on the bobbin. 
I started taking lessons after two years waiting, last week at the Philadelphia Handweavers Guild in Manayunk, PA.  Every Saturday from 1:30-4:30.  After the first class last week, I really thought I'd been in Spinning 101 for the next 10 years.  It seemed hopeless.  Each time I began to treadle, it seemed like my foot had bionic speed and my poor hands were impossible to keep up. 
There I was, attempting to keep my "drafting triangle" steady, treadle slowly....ahhhh I threw my hands up more than once.  It was like patting my head and rubbing my tummy at the same time....it just doesn't work.


But then our instructor Deb, patience and humor of a Saint just kept encouraging me. 
The second class was getting started and I sat before my wheel and was resolved to continue spinning commercial yarn onto the bobbin (a bobbin which I was certain cried out for real warm wool wrapped around it).  Suddenly I felt a little push and I offered up a silly little prayer. 

And this is what magically happened!!!

OK like I said, not the prettiest but it felt so good to finally "get it".  Then I came home and amid all the usual hustle and bustle of family life I tried again and this is what I have so far.

When I ran out of the Coopworth roving that I got at class, I tried the next batch of Shetland.  I have to say its not as easy to draft and spin as the first was.  Maybe its me (always a possibility) but I just think its a little rougher.  I need another bobbin and I might give plying a try!!! Did I really say that?? Wow, life is good!

So there you have it.  The joys of a newbie handspinner! I can't begin to express how silly and giddy I felt when I first realized that I was actually spinning this raw wool into something that could soon be used to knit with.  I see a future filled with warm woolly socks for my kiddies! Heck I think the pooch might need a pair!


And now it is Saint Valentine's Day and I have a house filled with little sick ones and one sick Nana that I have to tend to.  Spinning will have to wait until they are all tucked in for the night.  If I don't fall asleep at the "wheel" first! LOL that was spinning humor in case you missed it :-) !


Happy Saint Valentine's Day to you! Share your love not only with that special someone but with all those, near and far who bring love into your life every day! And that means your sheepie too!


God Bless you always.


Sandy
Shepherdess

Learning Together

The house is still and the last of the burning logs smolder in the stove.  Dear hubby left for Philly today, miss him already.  But so dear was he that he took to doing my chores around the farm this morning.  Practically before coffee was done brewing, he donned his coat and hat, slipped into his snow boots and off to the barn to fetch some hay he went.  He filled the buckets with fresh water for the sheep and chickens and collected the eggs.  Meanwhile I sat in the sitting room carding more wool.  Ahhhh, such a nice and peaceful way to start the day.  But no sooner was he back that the little ones came bounding down the stairs wanting much of our attention.  And we were glad to give it.

Emma, our oldest couldn't resist the temptation of all the wool on the floor and not being able to touch it.  She looked at me with pleading eyes and I went about showing her how to card the wool.  She beamed!! When she made her first rolag she jumped for joy and wanted to know when she could start to make felt LOL!!  Abby, who will be three next month was content to sit in her rocker with her lovey and her milk, she likes to admire from afar.

Emma placing her locks on the carders. They are bigger than she is! 

She looks like she knows what she's doing!



So as I go about learning all things Icelandic sheep and all things woolly, its so much more fun learning it together with my girls.  Even if they never grow up to enjoy the same things I do, its nice to know they have been exposed to these little wonders in the world.  Though I can bet that Emma will be asking for a set of carders instead of an I-pod for her next birthday!!! Yay!!! A mother can dream.....

Sheepy New Year!

Happy New Year to you all! I trust everyone had a great holiday and are already busy planning the many projects that will be completed this year!  We were fortunate to spend most of our time at home with family and friends this past week leading up to the the new year. 
I spent some time fluffing up the sheep living quarters as they have been spending many more hours in there than usual.  Though we had much snow still covering the ground I moved some straw to the rams barn that they aren't using right now to store it.  For as soon as the snow begins to melt (like today) the mud pit will be enormous.  Its all I can do to keep the mud to a dull roar so the fleeces don't get packed with it. 
The Chickens are still laying between 5 and 6 eggs a day with their little heat lamp keeping them toasty. I went in and fluffed up their coop as well.   We are looking to get Icelandic chickens this spring if I can find a breeder.
All in all the chores were minimal and it was nice spending some quiet time with the Icelandic crew.  The lights on the sheep shed were a nice touch I thought!! LOL.
Oh, and did mention I was on a yet another felting frenzy?? Yes indeed! Let me know what you think of my latest cobweb felted table scarves!

 Above is from our black lamb Ania with a little Eliza and some dyed red wool.

 Above is a mulberry silk/merino blend with a cobweb texture you can't really see in the picture. Its so light and smooth with a great sheen to it.

This is my fave!!! I wish the picture was better so you can see the cobwebbing through out the felting.  I am not tooting my own horn, I am just amazed at what this Icelandic fleece can accomplish when played with just so.  This is just way too much fun!!

Many wishes for a happy healthy and a sheepy new year!!! (I know corny)  :)

Sandy

Shepherdess