FINNSHEEP Raw LAMB Fleece, Pi 2020, 2 pound 4 ounces, white

This is Pi’s 2020 Raw Fleece. 1 pound 11 ounces. Her fleece was coated/ jacketed most of the year. I’d call it low to no VM (vegetable matter- hay, straw, grass from the pastures, etc..). I also skirted it myself. Raw fleece means it has not been washed yet. The fleece was carefully and professionally shorn off Pi in a single piece New Zealand style. Her fleece weighs 2 pounds 4 ounces.

Pi was born at Point of View Farm in 2019 to one of our fine fleece white ewes, Betula. Pi got her name as she was born on 3/14/2019, the smallest of 5 lambs in that litter, a runt. Pi needed extra help to get a start in life and at Point of View farm we always do what is necessary. She was soooo tiny, under 2.5 pounds which was less than half of what her littermate’s birth weights were. If you look through the gallery images there are several of her as a younger lamb and one as a newborn.

Because of her size, Pi was weaker. We had to keep checking on her to make sure she was doing OK. Sten created a special place for her to rest under a heat lamp in the bonding pen with the ewe and her 4 siblings. Pi remained with her mom and siblings in the barn because we think that is healthiest for lambs. Sten showed up every 3 hours with a bottle for her to be sure she got enough to eat. Parents may remember how tricky that is to wake up every 3 hours for days on end. Luckily, Pi quickly learned to help herself at a ‘milk bar’ and could eat when she wanted. She never ever forgot Sten as ‘mama’ though. Clearly, she imprinted on him and would call for Sten just to pick her up and carry her around. Even to this day when she hears Sten voice she comes running just like when a ewe calls her lambs. It is quite adorable. He takes her for walks around the barnyard when he is doing chores and while she is more independent these days, she still listens to his voice.

Pi is a purebred finnsheep and one of the few white finnsheep in the Point of View farm flock. Despite her smaller size as a lamb, she grew into a nice ewe and grew a lovely lamb fleece. I saved this one to show at the county fair (which was cancelled this year). I’m confident Pi would have had a ribbon in her division. She will have to wait for another fair. If she is anything like her dam Betula, and we think she is, she will be producing award winning fleeces throughout her life.

If you prefer washed wool for your project, please check out the Point of View Farm roving.