Deal of the Day

You don't want a ram of your own?  I am willing to sell 3 bred ewes for $1,000 dollars bred to the handsome ram lamb above.  He is a F2 Drum Jings, and a F3 Heights Orion. You just have to select the ewes, and make a deposit before Halloween.  That is when I begin to put my breeding groups together.  I don't want to breed too many Shetlands this year for myself, so please let me know if you have interest.  I will bred few to my Cheviot for crossbred lambs, since they have been in high demand. All of this year's are sold or spoken for.  Want to buy this ram lamb?  No problem, he is available to go to his new flock by Thanksgiving.  He is available to go before if purchased with flock starter package. There is also a moorit and another very handsome black and white ram for sale as well. Today...rams $250 each.  Second deal of the day, flock starter package 6 adult  ewes $1,200.

Mapleton Farm - Shetland sheep sales

I still have many beautiful Shetland adult ewes for sale, several ram lambs, and one ewe lamb.  My foundation stock includes 16 ewes.  I really would like to cut back but only having 16 of the very favorites, and only 3 ewe lambs this year,  it is very difficult, heart wrenching actually.  Each was selected to stay for their specific contribution to my flock.  I do need and want to cut back my numbers, but with that being said, an explanation might be needed to clarify that my sales list is somewhat fluid.  For example, almost everyone is for sale, but I would like to keep a variety myself for a small handspinners flock.  So I have three black ewes, two are for sale so I can keep one.  In that case it is easy, one is older so I will keep her.  However, when I have two younger equally nice ewes in the same color and pattern, I might be willing to part with either or but not both. In a starter flock, it is also important that I have an opportunity to share why a particular grouping may work better than another.  One sheep might be smaller or younger or more timid and not do well in a particular mixed group.  Another pairing or group might work better because none are too pushy or too timid. The flighty ones, they are the tricky ones, some come around and others never do.  Luckily I don't have any really flighty ones at the moment.

Now on routine procedures:   Folks are more than welcome to come and pick out their sheep in person.  Actually, I much prefer that because then you know exactly what you are getting and you pick what will best fit your needs.  Selection from photos is difficult. The thing that is more difficult is that out of state sales require a CVI (certificate of veterinary inspection) on the specific sheep that are crossing NY state lines.   So, I have bought and sold sheep sight unseen.  Most of the time I have been very lucky and it has worked wonderfully.  If you are out of state and want to come look one day, maybe I can prearrange for the vet to meet us here to do that certificate but I would need a deposit to cover the vet call.  Another solution would be to plan a two day trip, there are some wonderful B&B's as well as hotels around here, as we are in the heart of Finger Lakes wine country.   If I have any specific sheep I am to hold for a buyer, a deposit is required.  That is non negotiable and pretty standard practice.  I will still buy and sell out of state when the situation is necessary to do so.  There is an inherent risk both parties assume in doing so.  Personally, I am glad I accepted that risk, because it has allowed me to purchase some beautiful sheep from MO, NH, MA, OH, and PA.   Lastly, I am happy to exchange emails and send photos, but at some point I need to have a phone conversation with you to discuss details.  That is also non negotiable, this is not a huge commercial farm but a small family venture.  I will consider selling bred ewes this fall as well.  Serious inquires only, good homes a must.

Camera shy ewes and dog what on earth are you thinking?

Went out to take some photos of the ewes. Kismet  is not sure why I was following her around...

 Freckles

 Ba Ba black sheep...

 Peeked in ram pen to see how the youngins were getting along with the Cheviot.  This is Kismet's son, F3 Heights Orion AND F3 Drum Jings.  If I do decide to have any lambs next year, this is the ram I would use.  I might give him 2 or 3 ewes if he is still here this fall,  I will not breed more than 6 ewes total this year if I do breed any at all.  He is so handsome, he needs to be a flock sire somewhere.

 So let the girls roam during photo shoot and turned around to see this!  REALLY?!!!! This dog killed this ewe's lamb this summer.  This is so troubling on so many levels.  Is that an:  I am sorry, or a yummy lick?  AND her REALLY, is that I forgive you, I know what you did, or I am way too trusting look?  Needless to say I kept him very closely with me the rest of the time.  The lambs were not out with us nor the goats.  I really need to keep a very close eye on him!!!!!!!!!!

Monday - ewes of the day

Topaz (yuglet flecket grey) and her daughter Diamond (white) are both for sale. Registered $500 for the pair.  F2 and F3 Heights Orion.  Diamond is also F2 Drum Jings.

Marshmello's daughter Freckles is a carbon copy of her mom, so she is also for sale.  She is a black based white spot that will also carry moorit. $275

Ready to Go!

Hi all,

Well I did have later lambs this year but they are ready to go.  I have adult ewes, one ewe lamb and several ram lambs for sale.  Please inquire  if you have any interest.  Really need to reduce my numbers so discounts on multiple purchases and cash and carry.  Looking for a fiber flock, can sell a brown, black, and white ewe as a starter flock.  Ram lambs can also be sold with unrelated adult ewe.  Cheviot ram for sale as well.  Have had your eye on a particular ewe of mine that you don't see pictured?  Make an offer.  At this point almost everyone is for sale.  The flock is just too much for me right now due some family obligations and situations.  I'd rather not get into specifics, but it would really help me out to free up some of my time to attend to those situations.  So please if have interest in giving a few of my sheep a good home you can email me at karamapstoneATyahoo.com OR call me at three one five two four three two zero four eight.  There really are some beautiful sheep out there.  UK genetics in a variety of colors and patterns.  This is my last Shetland lamb crop for the foreseeable future.  I might start back up sometime down the road but it may be awhile. So this is the last chance to add a Mapleton sheep to your flock so get them while they last!

Best, Kara

A word on Pricing

Pricing is something I always struggle with.  So here is my philosophy:  I base my current prices on what I paid for my breeding stock, and what I traditionally have gotten for my sheep.  I always fret when I see "fire" sale pricing for a variety of reasons.  One, everyone has been there at some point and we really shouldn't judge as we all might have a need to do the same someday.  Two, I don't want to undercut fellow breeders that have worked very hard as well.  Three, I don't want to sell myself short.  Four, I want to be fair to my customers.  Five, I want good homes for my Shetlands...these are not culls.  If I was to sell them at bottom prices, I might as well sell them at auction.  But with all those contradictions aside, if you feel you want to make an offer and you can provide a good home, please feel free to make an offer.  All reasonable offers will be considered.  These are healthy, friendly, in many cases proven sheep.  All Shetlands are registered or can be.  If you want a pet or handspinner flock, without papers,  the prices may be less depending on your selection.

FOR SALE

Ram lambs for sale.  ALL have some UK genetics (Drum Jings and Heights Orion)  

price $300, $250 if purchased with an unrelated adult ewe.

Ewe lamb for sale, also F3 Drum Jings  $300

I am also willing to part with a few more adult ewes this year.  I  have really have reduced my flock to the very best, but the numbers are still more than I would like to manage at this point.  I don't have a proper herding dog and the unthinkable happened the other day.  My GPS male killed a lamb.  It was heart breaking, one of my favorites of course.  He can jump anything under 5 feet from a stand still.  I am terrified that now that he "got" one we really are going to be in trouble keeping the flock safe.  So my first steps are to reduce my numbers, improve my fencing, and watch him like a hawk.  I have had about five 80 foot trees fall on a fence in every pasture we have over the past 2 years.  With a property that has 1798 printed in the concrete slab in the barn, we have some big old trees, and once they get that big it is just a matter of time.  With each passing storm, I have to make my rounds and make sure they are all still standing.  So with a heavy heart I offer 2 white two year old F2 Drum Jings ewes,  2 Heights Orion ewes (one black the other grey).   I also have a black and a "white spot" that is black based available.  Great opportunity for someone to start (or add to) a very lovely Shetland breeding flock, cross breeding flock, hand spinner's flock, or pet flock.  Multiple purchases qualify for a discount, inquire for pricing, good homes a must.

Lamb pictures...final count 22

SHETLAND

Rams:

Ram swap anyone?  I will trade any of these handsome rams if you you have a nice unrelated ram for me.  I will keep one ram to use, at this point I don't have a strong preference for which one.  All are very nice looking ram lambs.  All are F2 Drum Jings, two are F3 Heights Orion (moorit and the flecket with more black).

Total two moorit, two black and white flecket, three spotted katmogets

Ewes:

Totals 4 ewe lambs:  one fawn, one moorit, one gulmoget, and one grey flecket.

Cheviot/Shetland Crosses

(except adult shetland ewes in the photo center and left)

7 ewe lambs 4 rams lambs, opposite of the Shetlands so 11 and 11 all together.  11 and 11 Shetland to crosses, and 11 to 11 ewes to rams.  These crosses are very cute.  All are for sale.

Lambs, lambs, lambs....

They have arrived, all but one ewe to lamb.  There are spots, solids, kats, and a gulmoget in Shetland.  A lot of rams it seems.  There are also 9 Cheviot/Shetland crossbreds (all the solid whites).  The cross rams are freezer lambs, but the ewes are available for sale if anyone is interested.  I am not sure which Shetlands will be for sale, lambs or adults yet.  Might be interested in a ram lamb swap if someone has something unrelated for me that would complement my flock.  All Shetlands are by a F2 Drum Jings, some are also out of F2 Heights Orion ewes.  More info and pictures in the near future.  A got a comment from "Buddha" that I didn't post it because it seemed like spam.  Buddha if you really are looking for Shetlands, please leave me your real name and contact information and I will get back to you.