| Back Forty Baa(ers) Purebred Shetland Sheep and (a) Cross Bred Border Leicester Sheep |
| I must remember to be careful what I wish for! In the spring of 2004, our daughter was the senior division winner of the Indiana Shetland Sheep Association Ewe-Lamb-Give-Away-Contest. We were pleased to obtain her winning lamb from Gail Former of Underhill Farm located in Spencer, IN. Knowing that small hoof stock always does better with company, we purchased the second ewe lamb for a companion; or at least that's what we told my husband! Glenna named them UNDERHILL JUBILEE and UNDERHILL PERSEPHONE respectively, and we were soon"in the sheep business!" With her success in the 4-H show ring with them as lambs and as yearlings --it wasn't long until we were beating a path back to Gail's door leasing a ram--we wanted more Shetlands! |
Another addition was a Border Leicester cross "bummer" lamb
from my fiber friend Beth's flock. In the spring of 2005, Opal
and Jasper (white ewe and black ram) came to us due to the
more than adequate supply of goat's milk on our premises.
Beth and I had traded fiber for goat's milk for a few
years--but she still had the hassle of bottle lambs. We were
already hassling with bottles due to the goat kids--so it was
"easier for us to take care of them." They WERE to be
returned. Too ingrained in our heart's to let them go
back--this time fiber for sheep was exchanged and Opal and
Jasper got to stay with us!
Opal has since moved on to greener pastures, but Jasper is
here to stay! Not only large enough to hold up against the
smaller but horned Shetland rams' tirades,this big ram
companion has a 12 pound fleece to contribute to the wool bag!
from my fiber friend Beth's flock. In the spring of 2005, Opal
and Jasper (white ewe and black ram) came to us due to the
more than adequate supply of goat's milk on our premises.
Beth and I had traded fiber for goat's milk for a few
years--but she still had the hassle of bottle lambs. We were
already hassling with bottles due to the goat kids--so it was
"easier for us to take care of them." They WERE to be
returned. Too ingrained in our heart's to let them go
back--this time fiber for sheep was exchanged and Opal and
Jasper got to stay with us!
Opal has since moved on to greener pastures, but Jasper is
here to stay! Not only large enough to hold up against the
smaller but horned Shetland rams' tirades,this big ram
companion has a 12 pound fleece to contribute to the wool bag!
| Our next step is to selectively breed our ewes and see what spring 2009 brings! We were absolutely delighted with the density, color, fineness, and texture of our 2008 lambs' fleeces. We will be doing a repeat breeding using JUSTALIL' BRAN as we are idling his 2008 daughters out of this breeding season. Since I am a fan of HST (Head-Socks-Tail) markings and SPOTS, I'm really looking forward to seeing what the 2009 lamb crop will bring! I'll be posting photos of our ewes to this page soon. Fiber and lambs (possibly some mature breeding stock) are (and will be) available for purchase. |
WINTER SKY JAMISION was returned a few months later, when we brought home more of Underhill
Farms' ewe lambs--no sense in wasting trailer space!
Then (finally) in April of 2006 we had lambs of our own!!!
Since then, we have been able to purchase several quality animals--including (but not limited to--)
UNDERTHESON CITRINA (mioget 2007 ewe) and UNDERTHESON BILOXI (shaela 2008 ewe) from
Theresa Gygi of Greencastle, IN. A black fronet herd sire (JUSTALIT'L BRAN) from DESTINY VIEW
FARMS of Morgantown, IN. (After months of admiring him from afar .) And another sheep expedition (I
wasn't going to buy anything...I was only along for the ride! ) resulted in the purchase of GREYSIDE
WILLOUGHBY and a lovely ewe UNDERHILL SPRINKLE.
I keep saying our flock of Shetlands is complete--time to let nature take it's course! But there are so
many quality animals out there--and so little time! :-)
Farms' ewe lambs--no sense in wasting trailer space!
Then (finally) in April of 2006 we had lambs of our own!!!
Since then, we have been able to purchase several quality animals--including (but not limited to--)
UNDERTHESON CITRINA (mioget 2007 ewe) and UNDERTHESON BILOXI (shaela 2008 ewe) from
Theresa Gygi of Greencastle, IN. A black fronet herd sire (JUSTALIT'L BRAN) from DESTINY VIEW
FARMS of Morgantown, IN. (After months of admiring him from afar .) And another sheep expedition (I
wasn't going to buy anything...I was only along for the ride! ) resulted in the purchase of GREYSIDE
WILLOUGHBY and a lovely ewe UNDERHILL SPRINKLE.
I keep saying our flock of Shetlands is complete--time to let nature take it's course! But there are so
many quality animals out there--and so little time! :-)
| The Jolliff Family Phillip and Sara Jolliff 7325 E 1500 N - Elnora, Indiana 47529 Phone: (812) 692-5725 Email the Jolliff Family Jolliff Diesel Service, LLC Spiderweb Specialties Dairy and Boer Goats French Angora Rabbits Home |
last updated 11/05/2008
