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Shearing is essential for the well-being and contentment of your sheep. Despite being a strenuous and messy task, it brings immense satisfaction. Knowing the intricacies of shearing is crucial to prevent any harm to the sheep or damage to the wool. Dive into Step 1 below to unravel the secrets of shearing sheep.
Steps
Preparation and Planning
Understanding the Importance of Shearing Shearing serves two primary purposes: gathering wool for sale and ensuring the sheep remain comfortable by preventing overheating, especially during summer. In some regions, sheep shearing is even regarded as a competitive sport!
- If sheep are left unshorn, they can become uncomfortable and potentially unhealthy due to dirt accumulating in their wool. Hence, regardless of wool sales, shearing your sheep annually is essential.
- With its insulating properties and suitability for yarn production, wool from specific sheep breeds holds considerable value. These breeds often undergo specialized rearing and are fed mineral-rich diets to enhance wool quality. A single sheep can yield between 8 to 10 pounds of wool.
Pick the optimal season. Most sheep require shearing once annually, but certain breeds with rapid wool growth may need shearing twice. The prime time for shearing is early spring, before lambing season commences and the heat of summer arrives.
- Shearing ewes before lambing is beneficial for multiple reasons. It aids in maintaining cleanliness during birthing, facilitates lambs in locating their mother's teats for feeding, and reduces space requirements if sheep are housed indoors during lambing.
- Shearing before lambing can also prompt ewes to consume more grass, generating additional body heat necessary for birthing.
- Aim to shear sheep about a month before they're due to give birth. For fast-wool-growing breeds like Cotswolds, Icelandics, and Lincolns, schedule shearing for late summer or early fall to allow at least six weeks of wool growth before winter.
Consider enlisting a skilled sheep shearer. Shearing a sheep is strenuous work requiring confidence, skill, and strength. Hiring a professional shearer may be wise to perform or assist with the shearing process.
- An inexperienced shearer risks injury to both the sheep and themselves, potentially causing stress and health issues for the animal. Poorly executed shearing can also devalue the wool.
- In regions where professional shearers are scarce, it's advisable to book well in advance. Alternatively, gather sheep from multiple small farms to a central location for simultaneous shearing and wool processing.
- If determined to shear sheep independently, consider attending a sheep shearing school to acquire proper skills. Many states with sheep farming offer annual shearing classes open to all shepherds.
Assemble the necessary equipment. Quality shearing equipment is essential for a smooth and safe process for both shearer and sheep. Electric shears are now predominantly used.
- Electric shears typically consist of a handpiece, comb, and cutters. Opt for shears with a higher comb teeth count for closer cuts. Expect to invest $250 to $500 for good electric shears.
- Before shearing, ensure the cutters are sharp. Dull cutters are harder to use and pose risks to both user and sheep. Fortunately, replacing cutters is straightforward and costs between $10 and $15.
- In the past, and in areas with limited power access, hand shears were used. However, this method is more time-consuming and leaves more wool on the sheep.
Secure the sheep in a pen. Before shearing, gather the sheep into a pen. If feasible, separate them by groups such as lambs, yearlings, ewes, and rams, or by breed or grade.
- Avoid exposing the sheep to moisture. Ensure they stay dry before shearing to prevent electric shock risks and maintain wool quality for sale.
- Fast the sheep for a day prior. Withhold food for a day before shearing to reduce waste, keep the shearing area clean, and minimize discomfort when the sheep are rolled onto their backs.
Sheep Shearing Process
Position the sheep correctly. The initial step in sheep shearing involves placing the sheep in the appropriate positions. Throughout the process, there are five key positions to utilize.
- Begin by gently tipping the sheep onto her back, securing her shoulders between your knees for support. Ensure her belly is exposed and her legs are raised.
- Remember, the more comfortable the sheep, the less it will resist, easing your shearing task.
Commence with the belly shearing.
Typically, the wool on a sheep's belly is the dirtiest and least valuable. Therefore, starting here is advisable.
- With confident, sweeping strokes, shear from the top of the brisket to the open flank area.
- Begin with a blow on the right side, followed by the left, then shear the wool in between. Ensuring adequate spacing between the first and second bellies facilitates subsequent shearing.
Shear the inner hind legs and crotch. Next, remove the wool from the inner hind legs and the crotch area using the following steps:
- Lean forward, maintaining a firm grip on the sheep between your knees, and shear along the inside of the right leg.
- Move across to clear the wool from the crotch, potentially requiring repeated blows for thorough removal. Then, shear down the inside of the right leg.
- Be cautious of the ewe's teats, covering them with your non-dominant hand to avoid accidental shaving.
Adjust position and shear the left hind leg and tail. Rotate about 90 degrees, positioning your right knee in front of the brisket and the sheep's right foreleg between your legs, exposing her left side.
- Begin shearing the wool from the left hind leg, starting at the toe and working upward towards the hindquarters, finishing near the backbone.
- Shift your right leg slightly backward for better access to the tail. Position the shears to begin at the top of the tail and shear upward along the backbone. Repeat as needed to clear all wool from the tail.
- With easy access to the sheep's head, consider shearing any fleece from the topknot, if required.
Shear the chest, neck, and chin areas. Transition to the third position before continuing.
- Place your right foot between the sheep's hind legs and your left foot at the base of her spine, securing her firmly between your knees. Use your left hand to grasp her below the chin and gently stretch her head backward.
- Starting from the brisket, shear towards the neck, ending just below her chin. This process resembles 'unzipping' her fleece.
- Continue with long, parallel strokes along the left side of her neck, finishing below her eye and then her ear. Use your left hand to hold her ear back to prevent nicks.
Shear the left shoulder area. Adjust your position to gain better access to the sheep's left shoulder.
- Since the skin on the shoulders can be wrinkled, use your left hand to pull it taut for smoother shearing, reducing the risk of nicks or cuts.
- Start shearing from the left knee, moving upward toward the left shoulder with one or two strokes. Take the opportunity to clear wool from the inside of the left foreleg as well.
Shift position and begin shearing along the sheep's back. Transition to the fourth position by sliding the sheep down your shin until she's on her right side. Keep your right foot between her hind legs and your left foot under her shoulder.
- Now, perform long strokes along the sheep's back, starting from the tail and moving all the way to her head, staying parallel to her spine.
- Continue these strokes along the back until you've cleared one stroke past the backbone, removing wool from her entire left side.
Change position and shear along her right side. Transition to the fifth and final position. Swing your right leg around so you're standing upright with the sheep's nose between your knees.
- Shear along the right side of the sheep's head, neck, and shoulders using three or four separate strokes. Use your left hand to keep the shoulder skin taut.
- Once the neck and shoulder are clear, shear wool from her right foreleg, shoulder to toe.
- Make diagonal strokes along the sheep's flank to clear wool from this side. Apply pressure on the sheep's right shoulder joint with your left hand to keep her steady.
Shear the right leg and hindquarters. The final step is shearing the sheep's right leg and hindquarters.
- Move your right foot forward slightly and place your left hand on the sheep's right flank, applying firm pressure to keep the leg straight and stretch the skin.
- Shear in a curved motion from the flank to the right hind leg. Once the leg is cleared, make final strokes to clear remaining wool from the hindquarters. Congratulations on shearing your first sheep!
Prepare and bundle the fleece. After shearing, prepare and bundle the fleece if you intend to sell the wool.
- Prepare the fleece by removing any dirty or incidental wool, typically found on the belly, legs, and rear end. Spread the fleece flesh-side down on a flat surface.
- Remove contaminants like off-color wool, tags, or mats from the edges. Then, roll the fleece by folding the long sides toward the center and rolling from end to end with the flesh side out.
- Rolling creates a tidy package suitable for transport. Avoid tying the fleece to maintain its value.
Mastering Shearing Techniques
Execute confident, sweeping strokes. Confidence in your shearing technique is paramount.
- Avoid hesitating or fumbling with the shears, as this increases the likelihood of errors.
- Developing a consistent rhythm will facilitate smooth transitions between sections.
Avoid creating second cuts. Inaccurate blows may necessitate a second pass with the shears, resulting in second cuts.
- Second cuts are undesirable for rolled fleece, as they weaken yarn and promote pilling.
- Greater experience reduces the occurrence of second cuts. Confidence in your technique minimizes their occurrence.
Maintain taut skin with your non-dominant hand. Taut skin facilitates smoother shearing and closer cuts.
- Consistently use your left hand to stretch the area to be sheared.
- This practice is especially crucial for sheep with fine wool, where skin wrinkles may obscure visibility.
Understand your flock. Familiarity with your sheep significantly enhances the shearing process.
- Understanding their body condition aids in navigating their shape for optimal shearing angles over hips, shoulders, and spine.
- Knowing the number and location of teats helps avoid accidental shaving and ensures thorough shearing.
- Awareness of sheep health impacts lanolin production, which in turn affects clipper lubrication and wool removal ease.
Helpful Tips
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Ensure clippers are well-oiled to prevent overheating and potential injury to the sheep. Keep an ample supply of clipper oil on hand.
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Don't let a shy sheep deter you from shearing; entice them with food before and after the shearing process.
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Consider crutching as a partial shearing method, primarily targeting the sheep's rear end.
- Commonly performed to maintain ewe cleanliness during lambing, especially in winter when wool is lengthy.
- Male sheep may also undergo crutching to prevent wool matting from feces.
Important Warnings
- Use only clippers specifically designed for sheep.
Necessary Equipment
- Sheep.
- Sheep shears.
- Clipper oil.
- Enclosure for sheep.
- Access to electricity.
