She Down-Sized Her Shetland Sheep

She Down-Sized Her Shetland Sheep 33-5-8 When a friend gave Maria Batula-Harkey a flock of sheep, she had no interest in dealing with full-size sheep for the long term. So, for the past 12 years she has been downsizing the flock of Shetland Sheep to see how small she can get them. "I look for the smallest rams I can find and save back my smallest ewes," explains Bantula-Harkey. "Between a third and half of the 100-head flock stands less than 20 in. tall at the shoulder." The original flock was purebred registered Shetlands, which are a small sheep to begin with. Their fleece comes in a variety of colors from white to black, brown, cinnamon and everything in between. To improve the wool for weaving, Bantula-Harkey began using the smallest Gotland rams she could find. That breed is noted for its long, soft and luxurious wool. Bantula-Harkey notes that although fleece weight is down on the smaller animals, quality from the crossbreds is higher. She uses the improved wool for braiding rugs, mats and seat pads. Bantula-Harkey also uses it to stuff quilts and sells it bagged for all-natural home insulation. Mostly she makes gifts. "I have 6 kids, 7 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren, so there are a lot of Christmas and birthday presents to be made each year," says Bantula-Harkey. "I sell some ram lambs to people to butcher and donate my extras to the Salvation Army or the local food bank." A few people, upon hearing about her miniature Shetlands, have purchased breeding stock from her. She prices males and females alike between $100 and $150 each, depending on size. The smaller the sheep, the more she feels it's worth. "I try to keep the price so people can enjoy them and not have to pay through the teeth for them," she adds. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Maria Bantula-Harkey, 3366 Riverbanks Rd., Grants Pass, Oregon 97527 (ph 541 955-4793).

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