Alder Brook Farm



about our farm



After raising sheep and White & Natural Colored Romneys in Southeastern Connecticut for over 15 years we have made the sad decision to sell our flock. We began our sheep raising adventures with two cross bred Southdown sheep as payment for horse sitting a couple of times while their owners went off to horse shows. We moved up to a few Corriedales because I wanted better fleeces for spinning. Children came along and Corriedales were getting bigger and when our girls joined 4-H one of them decided to raise white Romneys and the other decided on Dorsets at first and then changed to Natural Colored sheep.

Having the sheep was a wonderful journey and helped our children grow in to responsible caring people. It taught them the realities of life and death on the farm and that no matter what they had responsibilities to take care of their animals first. They learned that you don't always win so try harder next time. It showed them who their real friends were like the time when they told someone they couldn't go to some event because they had a show the next day and had to get ready for it and they never got invited to do anything with those friends again.


We would like to thank all of our customers over the years for their support.

Please use alderbrookfarm@yahoo.com if you still need to contact us

Remaining stock

A few CT Blanket scarves @ $35 each

White Romney roving @ $18/lb

CT Blanket yarn gray 2ply worsted approx 4oz skeins @ $15 each

Shipping will be calculated by destination, package size & weight




MORE REASONS TO CHOOSE ROMNEYS



Romneys are a dual purpose breed of sheep,bred for their wool and their meat. The breed was originally known as Romney Marsh Sheep, named for their native region surrounding Kent, England known as the Romney Marshes. To survive on the marsh the Romney developed into a breed with hard feet, a lustrous fleece and excellent mothering abilities that allow the ewes to easily raise twins and triplets. They also have a very gentle nature that makes them an excellent breed choice for youth looking for a livestock project for 4-H or FFA as well as for new shepherds just starting out. Romneys are also proving to be productive in properly managed grass fed operations.


A Romney fleece has a staple length of about 6" and a shine to it called lustre. It is also nicely crimped and not too greasy which are two more features that make Romney fleeces a favorite with handspinners, The long staple make for easy drawing and is great for beginning spinners. Romneys come in white and natural colors of black and various shades of grey and occasionally in shades of a brown color called Moorit. These wonderful natural colors and the various telltale patterning that occurs with them come from recessive genes that have been obscured by a dominant black gene. Armed with a better understanding of how to recognize the sheep carrying these recessive genetics we are beginning to select for them in order to be able to offer a wider selection of color in our fleeces.


For those who enjoy the culinary attributes of lamb, the Romney breed excels in producing quality cuts with a mild taste. Long after the flavor of the meat of other breeds has become stronger tasting the meat of a Romney will still retain its mildness. Because of the quality of the carcass and the characteristics of their wool Romney rams are frequently used in crossbreeding for commercial flocks and are the foundation of several other breeds.


For more information on Romneys and breeders in your area visit the website of the American Romney Breeders Association.