NH Homesteader's journal

[NH Homesteader]

Hey I'm a little jealous of your kinders! Lol

I'm actually reconsidering some in between decisions about my goat herd pending the purchase of this doeling. I'm going to hold off on getting another buck because if I fall in love with the breed I'm going to want a GG buck. I'll keep my minis regardless, but I don't think I'll get a Nigie buck as planned next year. And I likely won't keep a Peppermint kid this year because I may have no one to breed her to. I may keep a wether to keep the potential GG doeling company, and then go live with Clifford. My wether will not be big enough for hanging out with a full grown Clifford, lol. Can't wait to hear back about doelings! Also, the people who emailed about my Nigie doe disappeared so back to square one there. No other emails yet.

 

[NH Homesteader]

First fiber class went well. I have the fiber bug! So getting a couple alpacas someday. DD mostly did really well. She's such a chatterbox until you put her in a classroom type setting. She did better than she has with any other class we have attempted so I feel good about it. And I must learn, too!

Side note- I am abnormally upset that Tom Petty passed away (I am not the celebrity worship type) and DD and I are hanging out listening to his music now.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I am abnormally upset that Tom Petty passed away (I am not the celebrity worship type)

DITTO!

So, what was the drill in fiber class?

Alpacas = cuteness overload. BUT have you ever thought about a Pygora...pygmy and angora cross (duh, lol). I wonder what kind of fiber they have??

http://www.hmrpygoras.com/HMRPygorabreedweb.html

 

[NH Homesteader]

I have thought about pygoras. They also have nigoras (nigerian/angora). My aunt, who has a serious fiber obsession, was trying to track down some fiber from one or the other for me so she could sample it and tell me if it's worth getting into them. Have you ever pet an alpaca though??? Soooo soft! We'll see, I want to talk to the fiber class lady about recommendations too. There are a couple things I don't love about alpacas (frequent ivermectin shots, filing their tweth), so I'm open to other fiber critters too.

Today in class they just colored chopsticks to make knitting needles, read a story and looked around at all the equipment. And talked about the fiber process, and felt a bunch of spun wool to compare textures. Next week is intro to knitting! And learning about sheep.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I have never touched an alpaca...need to put that on the 'bucket' list, lol. But I've seen some at the state fairs and they are gorgeous and look so soft!

I used to crochet but never took up knitting. I enjoyed crochet but wore out my hands. Maybe I could do it again if I kept the sessions short.

The class sounds like fun! Glad DD did well in it!

 

[NH Homesteader]

Oh, and my cornish hen started laying!!! Like every day!

 

[tortoise]

I have been told that pygora and alpaca are inferior wool - with the exception of alpaca under 1 year old. Over a year old, I've been told the wool is only good for rugs.

Merino sheep are a better bet.

Angora rabbits are lovely animals, but labor intensive. However, you can hold the rabbit in your lap and pluck/spin directly off the rabbit. Which is more romantic and cuddly than efficient. But rewarding, I must say.

A jersey woolie rabbit has much shorter fiber length, molts less often, yields less fiber, but is a nice starter fiber pet since they're adorable and have less grooming requirements. Your DD is too small to hold an angora - they are in the 10 pound range. Jersey woolie are in the 2 pound range.

Fiber class sounds fun! Makes me think I should do something with my kids and a box of wool roving from our sheep. ... nah.

 

[NH Homesteader]

My aunt said alpaca is lovely and she adores working with it. She is not a fan of Icelandic sheep, who I otherwise adore. The woman who teaches the class has Corriedale sheep. If I wanted sheep I might get some from her. She also has angora rabbits. I have no interest in the price tag of Merino sheep, and they are way too big for me.

I don't like angora rabbits because of their lack of heat tolerance. I know it doesn't get that hot here, but I don't need animals that need a/c! I actually don't want any rabbits for that reason!

Hmm who needs to do something with all that wool lying around? Lol

 

[Mini Horses]

What about cashmere? That way you are still into goats.

I think -- memory not what it used to be -- there are two "types" of alpaca and one is a producer of high end fiber. But, I am not into the fiber thing. Cotton grows next door to me.

 

[NH Homesteader]

Yes but I can't afford that kind of alpaca! Lol there's suri and huacaya. But I don't ever remember which is which, lol

Yeah I'm going to have to figure out what I want, but it'll be a while before we get anything!