Fleeces

Care of fleeces begins before the lamb’s birth, with attention to the ewe’s nutrition before and during gestation. Before they leave the lambing pen, lambs are coated, and as they grow, their “clothes” are changed many times to accommodate growing bodies and fleeces. Prior to shearing (some shorn in September; others in April), fleece samples are tested. Prospective buyers have in hand the micron count, comfort factor, staple length, and weight of a fleece from a specific animal, to plan breeding programs or fiber projects.

Black Sheep Farm is proud to be a producer member of the Chesapeake Fibershed.

We focus on genetic expression of recessive color: dark browns and silvers, moorit, and variegated fleeces for hand-spinning and felting. Fleeces are for sale at the farm on shearing days, by advance arrangement, and at several festivals in the region. If you are looking for a particular color, contact the farm. We’ll send samples—virtual (images emailed), or actual (locks from a fleece).

Currently available are two prime silver fleeces shorn in late July 2021, and a white 8-month-old lamb fleece.

The silver fleeces have a 4-inch staple length and are $18/lb and are sold as whole fleeces; the white fleece has a 3-inch staple length and is $12/lb.

• Also available are two silver fleeces with a break (suitable for felting), $8/lb

If you are interested, please fill out the contact form. I will send you the estimated shipping charges based upon your zip code. Transactions usually are accomplished via PayPal. (Direct credit card payments via Square also available.)

The next shearing date will be in April 2022.

See also the Shop page for roving and batting processed from our fleeces. This is updated as new processed items arrive.