​Our sheep are all wool sheep, meaning they need to be sheared every year.  We do this in the spring just before lambing.  I have had woolly sheep lamb before (ewes due for shearing when they have their babies), and it was not especially messy (surprisingly).  Shearing early makes the mother more sensitive to weather changes.  Without her fleece, she'll seek shelter in poorer weather, and her lamb follows her.  My shearer also tells me that lambing also can cause a change in fiber - something about them breaking off or something.

​As we gradually transition from hobby-sized farm into one that produces enough surplus to sell, I have the need for more shelter without wanting to invest permanently in something we'll outgrow in just a year.  Hoop tents purchased online that provide shelter over an 12' x 24' space would cost me a couple of thousand dollars each for a cheap one.  After the initial year of use, I don't foresee a use that justifies that expense.  These hoop tents cost about 10% of that and can be used for livestock shelter or simple greenhouses.