We began raising sheep shortly after we moved to Maine in 1991.  We started out with Hampshire and Suffolk as the predominant breeds and one white and one black Romney, just in case I wanted to try my hand at working with fiber.  After owning sheep for 2 years I finally learned how to spin and began using that Romney fiber, as well as the Suffolk.  Eventually we decided to go exclusively with the Romney as they were a dual purpose breed.  We learned to do our own shearing as it became increasingly difficult to find a shearer for our small flock.  At one point we scaled down to just a few sheep due to the other demands in our lives.

       I decided to take on the responsibility for the farm and start up a fiber business, leaving my full time employment in Nursing.  I found I was not able to do many of the hands on tasks with the sheep, such as getting them to do anything they preferred not to, as I did not have the strength in my arms to hold them against their will.  I was able to manage the Pygora Goats as they were not as heavy.   I began looking into a lighter breed of sheep that I could manage more easily.  After much research I have decided to go with the Brecknock Hill Cheviot, now known as the American Miniature Cheviot, and have purchased a ram and 2 ewes to begin to build my flock with.   I hope to have  my first lambs in the early spring.  I have kept 2 of my Romney ewes for the beautiful grey fleece the older ewe gives me and an additional white fleece from the ewe lamb.  With just 2 large animals to shear and provide maintenance care for,  Richard will be able to assist me without taking away too much from his own busy schedule.

       The American Miniature  Cheviot is a miniature sheep breed.  They are considered a dual purpose sheep with a maximum height of 23 inches  from shoulder top when shorn at 2 years.  A ewe can run between 45 to 85 pounds with a ram going from 55 to 100 pounds.  They are a very hardy sheep and lamb without assistance.  They produce a good quality fleece which is dense, with a slight luster and runs 3-7 inches in length and 25-32 microns in wool grade, with a good bounce to the fiber.  The American Miniature Cheviot can be white, black, tan or dilute and in 2008 a designation of "painted" was added to its color options.  They have a clean face and legs and the fleece often forms a ruff from behind the head and ears around the neck and down to above the knees. 

       The American Miniature Cheviot Sheep Registry is the registering agency for this breed.

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