Our Sheep
We have a small flock of wethers and ewes of various breeds that live contented lives in the rolling farmland of Central New Jersey. The tradition of raising sheep in New Jersey dates back to the 17th century when Quakers, the first English settlers in our region, came ashore starting in the 1670s. Though urban development and sprawl have encroached on many parts of New Jersey, the state's Green Acres program has allowed much of Central Jersey to remain as it was 300 years ago. In this spirit we continue the tradition of sheep in our region.
Below are some details of the four main breeds in our flock, along with some photos of our ovine lovelies.
Below are some details of the four main breeds in our flock, along with some photos of our ovine lovelies.
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Romney
The Romney sheep is a long-wool breed originating from Kent in England. The name is derived from the Romney Marsh, a lowland area in Kent along the River Rother just before it flows into the English Channel. Originally an English sheep, the Romney is now found on all continents, including almost 26 million head in New Zealand. The Romney produces a heavy fleece and a strong wool, with an average fiber diameter ranging from 29-36 microns (or a Bradford count range of 44s to 52s). The Romney’s fleece is ideal for hand-spinning, and is often recommended to beginners. |
Jacob
The Jacob is a rare breed of white-spotted, horned sheep, descended from an ancient European lineage. The North American Jacobs have remained relatively pure, and their body type resembles that of a goat. The name is derived from the Biblical character of Jacob, a shepherd who engaged in some of the first recorded selective breeding of sheep. Jacobs have a medium fleece with no outer coat and very little lanolin, and produce a light, open wool with fiber diameter of 28-33 microns and a Bradford count range of 46s-54s.
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Gotland
The Gotland sheep is a European breed originating from the Swedish island of Gotland. It is a fine-boned, horned breed with no wool on its black head or legs. In modern commerce, it is a dual purpose sheep, raised for both its wool and meat. The fleece is prized among hand-spinners and has a medium weight and a fiber diameter of 29-34 microns.
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Shetland
The Shetland is a breed of small sheep that originated on the Shetland Islands off the northern coast of Scotland. The breed is noted for its fine wool fiber, which ranges in diameter from 20-30 microns, and is esteemed by hand-spinners for its feel and ease of use. The wool is traditionally used to make the famous Fair Isle sweaters, and the finer variety can be used in garments worn on the skin with minimal prickling.
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