We began our shepherding days with a small group of mixed breed sheep.  Although I loved the sheep, I wasn’t happy with the way the natural dyes looked on my handspun yarn.  I was about to turn to synthetic dyes when a friend introduced me to some Lincoln fleece…and I never looked back.  We have raised a small purebred flock since 1987 and I still feel they surpass all other sheep (okay, I am quite opinionated when it comes to sheep). 

     Lincoln Longwools are one of the oldest breed, with a Lincoln Registry started in 1796.  They are large sheep that grow lustrous locks up to 12” long.  They are calm and gentle and live quite long for a sheep.  They have been used as sires in the making of many other breeds of sheep such as Columbia ’s, etc.

    Although I have read that it is classified as coarse wool, I really find this unjustified.  It is true that its micron count is low, but this “coarseness” rating doesn’t take into account the long silky feel of the wool produced by quality Lincolns .  I find the lambswool to be very soft and the adult wool, spun correctly, weaves into wonderful outerwear.

     I breed the ewes in mid-November for an April lambing.  I know other breeders breed earlier and lamb in February or March, but the temperature here in the mountains can go below -40 so I wait a bit longer.  Even with an April lambing I can have frozen lambs unless I am vigilant in checking the barn.

    I hope for an above freezing day in late March so I can have the ewes sheared before their lambs come….it’s much easier on the sheep and it helps me to see if a pregnant ewe is too fat or too thin.  After the lambs are born, it’s still many trips to the barn to check on them, vaccinate and dock their tails.

     By June the pasture is in full swing and we are moving the portable fencing around every few days so the sheep are grazing on new pasture.  This goes on until sometime in October (although the Ram is removed in early September to prevent early lambing).  By then the grass is no longer growing and the sheep are given hay and some grain throughout the winter.  Then the cycle begins again.