I'm a vegetarian and run an arable farm
Part of this land is given over to rescueing unwanted animals ( cows, sheep, chickens ) that meat farmers find unproductive and are heading for the knackers yard. think of me as a "retirement home"
We have to shear these pet sheep every year as part of thier animal husbandry.
I understand that a vegan will not touch wool from a production sheep - fully understand that.
But how would you feel if i made a jumper from the wool off these pet sheep.....they have to be sheared and i'm not keeping them for meat, they live a natural retired life here.
Vegan thoughts please ?
2007-01-25 06:10:48 · 9 answers · asked by Michael H 7 in Food & Drink ➔ Vegetarian & Vegan
since you yourself are sheering the animal, and it is necessary, i see nothing wrong with you being resourceful and using this wool. :)
2007-01-25 12:30:36 · answer #1 · answered by chikka 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To leave the wool on would cause painful mats for the sheep, so to not shear him would be cruel. If it is done in a humane manner (no choke chains to keep them still), I really can't see an issue with it. Shear and knit away. You're doing a good thing all around!
2007-01-25 12:39:01 · answer #2 · answered by Baby boy arrived March 7th! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have no problems with this. Actually, I commend you for rescuing these animals and giving them a chance to live out their lives in a more loving environment.
While it doesn't fit the vegan definition to use these animal products, you are not having a negative impact on any animals by doing this, so the end result is the same. If a vegan were to give you a hard time over this, I would ask them how many farm animals they have rescued. :)
2007-01-25 06:22:32 · answer #3 · answered by fyvel 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Are you thinking of making this jumper for a vegan friend? If so, you should probably ask them. If it's meant to be a surprise, you could just ask them the general question of "I'm curious. You've seen how my sheep are treated--would you wear *their* wool?"
And kudos to you for rescuing otherwise unwanted animals. After living on other farms, they probably think they're in heaven.
2007-01-25 06:36:00 · answer #4 · answered by TBL 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not a vegan or vegetarian, but I am all about trying to get knowledge out there with fur farms and things of that sort. I think as long as you are treating them right, which I don't doubt you are, then it should not be a problem for vegans or vegetarians.
2007-01-25 06:21:04 · answer #5 · answered by Kit 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't see a problem here. You're
my hero for rescuing these animals.
If you were able to ask them and get
an answer they'd probably have no
problem sharing their wool because
of your kindness. We need more vegs
like you. This is what it's all about.
2007-01-25 08:38:09 · answer #6 · answered by Standing Stone 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Its like a haircut i dont get how it can be cruel to shear them as long as you treat them humanely.
2007-01-26 12:41:54 · answer #7 · answered by Half-pint 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think since you treat your sheep well and you aparently knit, you should consider knitting blankets or clothes and donate them to homeless people. It would be very thoughtful.
2007-01-26 09:12:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Isn't it kind of cold to be shearing them now? Don't they do that in the summer to help cool them off in hot weather? Hopefully you will get them a coat to wear outside. I am vegetarian (sort of). I don't wear wool because it is scratchy and shrinks when you wash it. It is impossible for anyone to be totally vegan. There are bugs on the ground that we may inadvertently step on. We take in bacteria and our immune system kills them off. Etc.Etc..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9ssOOErq4o
2007-01-25 06:38:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋