"Daylight Savings Time"?
Pffffft.
That's just a concept.
Guess what time it really is?
That's right...it's harvest time!
"Let the combing begin!"
Eleven goats, each to be combed
very gently and multiple times -
though not two days in a row -
over a period of a few weeks.
It's a process!
And we're off to a nice start.
~~~~~
My question is - do the goats accept combing willingly or do they fight it tooth and nail?
ReplyDeleteGood question! My goats are all individual personalities, but every one of them likes to have some time as the center of attention. I take a LOT of time trying to make combing a comfortable experience - mentally and physically - for each goat. Some genuinely like it, some tolerate it, and there is the occasional rodeo, when a particular goat who is really dropping cashmere says "not today, thank you," and I have to say, "sorry, yes, today, but just for a short time and there will be carrot pennies." Would they rather have the carrot pennies without the combing? I expect so! ;)
DeleteThis year I have four youngsters being combed for the first time, and three have had their first partial comb. One settled down pretty readily, one hollered in my ear every minute or two, and the third would have happily been combed longer but I had to quit because my back was aching and I didn't want to start rushing and carelessly tug with the comb...that's the kind of thing that sets up a problem for next time, and is well worth avoiding.
Thanks for the question!
Carrot pennies - what a great reward system. I'd have a bit of a problem with that tho' because I'd have to be rewarding myself at the same time. The goats might not like my eating their treats right in front of them!! (Thank you for dropping me the email to come and read your response - interesting to learn something about goats. I grew up on a farm, but we didn't raise goats, despite my efforts to convince my dad that we really NEEDED to).
DeleteBy the time the carrot pennies have been in my barncoat pocket, only the goats - and Piper, of course - would want to eat them. Something about that coating of hay dust ;)
DeleteI love yarn, love the idea that someone figured out how to make use of animal fiber, and love the way it connects us and them. I just wish I had a talent for knitting! :)
ReplyDeleteHave you tried knitting and didn't like it? Or do you crochet? Many people seem to favor one entirely over the other. Or there's always weaving! Or felting! :)
DeleteHappy Combing!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I have to pace myself, but yes, overall it is a happy task :)
DeleteThis adds to my goat education! Thankyou
ReplyDeleteLet me know when you are ready for an internship ;)
DeleteQuinn - Do you card and spin your fibre? Or is it done for you?
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping someone will teach me to handspin soon, but probably not with cashmere...I'm guessing the longer fibers of wool would make it easier for learning?
DeleteI'm planning to have my stockpiled cashmere spun as fingering weight, undyed (unless by me), but choosing the mill is an important decision. Fortunately (hah!) when you only harvest tiny amounts per animal, there is no great hurry to get it to the mill.
Quinn, my husband works at a Wool Mill. They go through the process of combing, carding and all. I'm planning a post about it soon. I need to get down there and take pictures. Happy combing!
ReplyDeleteThere used to be a huge woolen industry right here in my neck of the woods, but now it's limited to a few mills, and even fewer can handle cashmere apparently. I look forward to reading your post!
DeleteI bet that, for the calm goats, combing is almost like meditation. It seems like it could be so peaceful. But, then again, you did mention a rodeo with one :)
ReplyDeleteFor me, there are meditative moments, but the goats stay pretty alert to the timing of treat distribution. Not like some horses I've brushed, who would zone out and almost fall asleep on their feet :)
DeleteQuinn, I've always wanted to go to PEI to the MacAusland Wool Mill; they've spun blankets and yarn for me...excellent job and I've always wanted to visit in person.
ReplyDeleteDo you do your own guard hair removal?
When you learn to spin, try Romney wool; it's *perfect* for beginners!
I've wanted to visit PEI since I was little and obsessed with Anne of Green Gables, but nowadays I think if I can manage to travel it will be to places I may wish to move to...and that would NOT involve further North than I already am ;) Thanks for the tip about Romney wool - I'll remember that. And no, I store the fiber as harvested.
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