|
Our animals are our partners. |
To see videos of
our animals click
here. |
|
Angora Goats
Cashmere
Goats
Alpaca
Hybrid Sheep |
|
|
Angora Goats
originated
in Turkey. The hair that is harvested from the goats is called mohair
(not to be confused
 with
Angora wool, which comes from rabbits). Mohair is both strong and soft,
and dyes beautifully. It also has great luster, and is famous for its
warmth. It is considered an exotic fiber and while frequently used in
Europe, is relatively rare in the United States. Angora goats are horned
and may look fierce, but they’re gentle and playful, and are sheared twice a
year.
|
|
|
|
Cashmere Goats
are not an official breed, but a goat type. Native to the Himalayan Mountains
of Asia, Cashmeres
 migrated
westward into the Kashmir region of Pakistan, where they got their name.
Cashmere goats produce fine down under-coats that is harvested by combing
rather than shearing. Cashmere is considered among the finest of all exotic
fibers.
|
|
|
|
We
also raise
Alpaca,
a South American rela tive
of llama. The coat of alpaca is one of the softest fibers in the world,
and has long kept native South Americans warm on cold Andes mountaintops.
Alpacas have sweet dispositions and they’re a little skittish, so we move
slowly around them.
They look so
different before and after shearing!
|
|
|
American Gothic. All we need is a
pitchfork! |
We
currently keep two hybrid
Sheep – a mostly-Merino
 named Shadow,
and Arwin, a Finn-Tunis cross who reminds us of the sheep in
Wallace and Gromit productions. Wool from our sheep is sometimes blended with our mohair
and alpaca to add memory to the yarns. Our sheep are prolific wool producers
and we have both white and black natural colors.
|
|
| |
ANIMAL
CARE
baa@laughinggoatfiber.com
1485 Mecklenburg Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-273-9212
|
|
