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Wilton's Ambler Farm invited its neighbors to watch as their sheep, Nutmeg and Clover, got their hair cut Saturday afternoon. With their coats about 6 inches thick, the sheep would have liked the shearing a few weeks ago, said Kevin Meehan, program manager at Ambler.
"It would have been great to do it over the summer, they'd prefer it," Meehan said of waiting until the fall. "But this way we can reach out to more of the community."
Relief veterinarian Sarah Murray went to Ambler to shear the sheep and trim their hooves. Murray, who has been shearing sheep for more than 15 years, pinned the animals down using her knees and calves as she worked to keep the coat in one piece, making it easier to collect and clean.
A few members of the historical society attended and helped kids card and spin the wool, as they would have done during colonial times.
People were concerned that Nutmeg and Clover were being sheared too close to winter. But Meehan's wife, Sue, a volunteer at the farm who works the animals, said they would be fine. She said their coats grow about an inch a month, and by December, it should be back to three inches. Also, the sheep are kept dry and out of the wind as much as possible, she said.
The Meehans said they visit Ambler every Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon to teach kids about the farm's animals.
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