Sheep again!

The Howling Hill Farm sheep program is finally starting to come together.

In my last sheep-related blog post, I mentioned how I wasn't really sure whether we were going to breed Harlequin Sheep only, or Harlequins and spotted Babydolls. At this point, I am still not sure ... And more importantly, I am really not sure that it matters.

We will be breeding cute, friendly, correctly conformed, solidly-built, miniature sheep with beautiful, soft (20 microns or less), uniform fleece with a high-frequency crimp and medium staple length -- with spots and other fun patterns. They may be registered as Harlequins, or they may be registered as Babydolls (Olde English Miniature Babydoll Southdowns), depending on the breeding that produced them.

Here are two new additions to help further our goal of these sheep. The first is a new ram, Cheever. Cheever is a registered Babydoll who had a spotted sire and who has a few black spots on his rump. He is the tankiest, puppy-doggiest ram you ever will meet -- totally perfect for our farm.

... And this is Lily. Lily is a registered Harlequin, as both of her parents were dramatically spotted registered Harlequins. She is white, but my guess is that she is, genetically, spotted -- a white with white spots, if you will. She is also compact and lovely, and her wool is amazing. Fleece shots of this one forthcoming. Lily is half-sister to Noah, so she will be bred to Cheever.

I am so looking forward to next spring.