Arvgården

Corriedale Sheep and Fleece

Arvgården flock Corriedale Sheep Fleece, Rovings, & Yarn Market Lambs Breeding Stock Ordering information Arvgården Bed & Breakfast	Arvgården flock
	Our flock of registered Corriedale sheep was established in the summer of 1999 with stock contracted from Dick and Ellen Luce of The Clearing in Painted Post, NY. The Luces have been raising superior Corriedales for over 20 years. They are best known for the excellence of their fleece and have won a number of awards. The Clearing fleece is sold at most of the major east coast fleece shows.
	Presently, we have ten breeding ewes. The flock will be expanded from our own stock. Expansion will be determined by the number of ewe lambs born that meet our criteria. They are rated on fleece characteristics, animal configuration and health factors before they are accepted for inclusion in the flock.

Corriedale Sheep	Back to top
The breed was developed in New Zealand and Australia during the late 1800's. Lincoln and Leicester rams and Merino ewes provided the seed stock that produced this excellent dual purpose animal. From its base in the two lands of origin, Corriedale has become, by world population, the second most significant breed in the world after Merinos.
Corriedales are large-framed, polled with good carcass quality. Mature rams weigh from 175 to 275 lbs and ewes weigh from 130 to 180 lbs. The animals have a high yield fleece with excellent spinning characteristics.

The spinning count range for the fleece is between 56's - 64's. Average staple length is 3-5 inches. The fleece has good crimp with more crimp per inch in the finer fleeces, producing greater elasticity. The fiber ranges from 26-21 microns in diameter.

Our fleeces are protected year round with covers changed 3-4 times per year to allow for growth without matting the fleece. The result is an unusually clean fleece; spinning it in the grease is both possible and common. To further insure the quality for hand spinning, we skirt very heavily. Because all our fleece is white and exceptionally clean, it is especially attractive to dyers.

All of our fleeces are identified by the name of the animal. Spinners who select a fleece have the option of reserving the fleece from that animal in subsequent years. We keep samples of each clip so that, if a certain fleece is not available, we can help select another with similar characteristics. Contact us for samples.

Spinners who want the advantage of Corriedale fleece, but do not have the time or facilities to wash and card their own can purchase rovings. Fleece for Arvgården rovings is sent to be custom hand washed in Michigan. From there, it goes to Zeilinger Wool Company in Frankenmuth, MI, where it is carded into rovings. Contact us for samples.

Arvgården yarn is custom spun by Zeilinger Wool Company. Our yarn is natural white, 2 ply, sweater weight. The gauge is 4 sts = 1" on size 10 needles. Contact us for samples.

Why Zeilinger?

Customers ask us why we use a carding and spinning mill in Michigan and why Zeilingers in particular. First, this family run mill is committed to the highest quality. Since we pride ourselves on the quality of our raw fleece, we need the assurance that it will be processed with great care. Second, they work with us to produce exactly the product we want. Third, they guarantee that we get back only product made from our fleece. Not all mills will segregate fleece from individual producers. It is important to us that the Arvgården brand only goes on our custom products.

	Market Lambs	Back to top
We have a limited number of market lambs available in the spring.
	Lambing at Arvgården takes place in the later part of March. Depending on the size of the animal desired by the client, lambs would generally be ready 45-50 days after birth for small lambs and up to 120 days after birth for animals in the 90-100 lb range. We will raise a lamb to the size desired by the client who has placed a specific order with appropriate deposit.
Lambs being raised for market are fed a ration of hay and a grain mix. They are kept with their dames so all feed is a supplement to nursing. We use no artificial growth hormones or other stimulants.
When the pastures are ready, around May 1 at Arvgården, lambs and ewes go out on pasture. We allow for natural weaning to take place rather than follow the more stressful process of separation. We find this is better for the health of both the lamb and the ewe.

Arvgården is not set up to raise a separate group of animals to adult breeding age. We do select lambs for clients who wish to introduce our genetics into their flocks and are willing to raise the lambs to appropriate maturity. We will be glad to discuss your needs and our capabilities with you.

Fleece is sold by the pound from individual animals. Clients can order the full fleece or portions of a fleece. Because the animals vary in size, some fleeces are sold in halves and others in quarters. Fractional fleece run between 1 and 2 lbs. Full fleeces weigh 3-4 lbs. Contact us for pricing information and samples.

Seconds are the fleece that is found at the edge of the cover. It is the result of our 'second skirting' and is excellent for felting. Because it is not segregated by specific animal and is less clean, this fleece is sold at $3.00 per pound.

Rovings are produced from our fleece by a professional processor. Sold in minimum 8 oz quantities, this washed and carded fiber is ready to spin. Contact us for availability and pricing.

Yarn (2 ply) spun at 50 yards to the ounce is available by the skein. Contact us for availability and pricing.

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