Coating Fleeces
Coating sheep is labor intensive and not cheap, but it makes a huge difference in the fleeces for show and sale.
Adult sheep will typically go through 3-4 coat sizes between shearings (lambs and yearlings will obviously grow out of coats quicker and need to be changed more often). Coats are measured by length, from the base of the neck just in front of the shoulders to the dock.
You will need to be sure to change them before they get too tight (not good for the fleece), but also make sure they are not too big (dangerous for the sheep as they can get tangled).
Coated fleeces are superior as they are not exposed to the elements all year and are protected from vegetable matter like hay.
**Special attention needed during lambing for some coats to ensure the lambs do not get stuck in the leg straps** We use a ping pong ball and hair tie to lift sides, rear, and leg straps for newborn lambs.
Odd sizes 19-49, $25-37 /coat
Light 400D and Regular/Heavy 1000D weight fabric options.
Simple design that seems to hold up the best.
Also available with velcro chest plates for horned sheep.
Sizes 28-48, $26-36 /coat
Small (28″), Medium (31″), Large (34″), XL (39″), XXL (43″), G (48″)
Elasticized edges allow them to expand as wool grows. Pure Rip-Stop Nylon covers do not degrade in sunlight and UV rays and allow wool to “breathe”. They do not interfere with lambing or nursing.
Even sizes 22-50, $20-32 /coat
Light 400D, Medium 600D, and Heavy 1000D weight fabric options.
Also available with options such as elastic lock for adjustable cinching of rear of coat, velcro chest plate, rear leg buckles, and a wide version (extra 1"-4" per side length)
Not all fabric/coat styles are created equal and we do not recommend using coats meant for meat/market sheep on wool sheep long term. Coats need to be made specifically for wool sheep and year-round use. The fabric is critical to a good coat and must be breathable material that allows water to pass through both as water (rain) and vapor (as they dry).
Best fabric is uncoated nylon (typically used in the outdoor industry). Fabric weight is measured in Denier - a unit of measure for the linear mass density of fibers.
The 1000 denier nylon, commonly called Cordura and was developed by DuPont, is durable and robust. It does have a rough handle and may cause pilling when used on finer fleeces. Not typically an issue on courser breeds such as Cotswolds, Lincolns and Romneys .
The 400 denier nylon is slick and smooth which prevents pilling on finer wooled breeds like Merino, Rambouillet and Cormo. However, it will not be as durable as heavier fabrics, nor will they last as long.
If you want to try and make your own, check out the following links