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SOMERS, N.Y. Many people take their mothers out to dinner for Mothers Day, but certain residents at Muscoot Farm in Somers are treated to A Day at the Spa. It is an annual tradition to shear the sheep on Mothers Day.
Only the adults get sheared," program coordinator Katherine Sclafani explained. "We collect the wool and use it for educational purposes. We spin it and use it for other projects.
Children in the audience immediately wanted to know, Does it hurt? Sclafani replied, No, its just like getting a haircut. Are you wearing your winter jacket today? The sheep are taking their coats off for the summer, so they can be cool.
White wool and black wool are the most desirable, said Sclafani. The white is the most valuable because you can dye it any color. The black is special because it is not possible to dye a true black.
When the multi-colored Jacob sheep are sheared, their skin is the same color underneath, the wool-shearer pointed out. The wool starts growing back right away. The Dorset horned sheep, more or less white in color, is the largest breed at Muscoot. It can shed as much as eight pounds of wool. The farm also has some rare South Down sheep, admired for their gentleness and friendliness.
Aside from the possible pain, children were most concerned about the bleating noises each animal made.
Theyre not crying, Sclafani explained. The ewes are calling to their babies. Im here, Ill be back soon. The lamb recognizes its mothers bleat. And the mother knows the baby by the sound it makes. So when they go back to the pen, they find each other right away. Each mother has between one and three babies.
Muscoot visitors will have a chance to meet all the farms baby animals on May 27 from 1 to 3 p.m. See the farm's website for more information.
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