Sheep shearing is a crucial aspect of maintaining healthy and thriving flocks. Not only does it ensure the animals remain clean and free from disease, but it also prevents overheating during the hot summer months. Furthermore, if you intend to sell the wool from your flock, shearing is an essential step in the process. While it may seem daunting at first, the art of sheep shearing is actually more accessible than one might think. The key lies in understanding when and how to do it effectively.
When Should You Shear Sheep?
The timing of sheep shearing largely depends on the flock and management goals. For instance, if your goal is to sell wool for profit, frequent shearing is ideal to ensure the wool remains clean and fresh. Ideally, you should shear a few months before lambing to prevent wool from getting dirty during this period. Additionally, it helps accommodate more ewes in the same space and makes it easier for lambs to find their mother’s teats.
A shorn ewe can also save valuable space as they take up less room compared to an unshorn one. Shearing your sheep before winter quarters is another important consideration. Wool holds significant moisture, which can make the barn warmer and damper during the colder months. By shearing ahead of time, you can keep the barn drier and more comfortable for your flock. If you’re interested in learning more about wool’s unique properties, check out our related article on harvesting lanolin from wool.
However, it’s crucial to consider your sheep’s energy needs over winter. They’ll require more calories to maintain good body condition during this period. As such, avoid shearing if they’ll be outdoors entirely during the dead of winter. If you’re not planning to keep your flock indoors until lambing, it’s better to wait or leave a bit more wool on for natural insulation.
How to Shear a Sheep
Gather Your Equipment
To embark on this process, it’s essential to gather the necessary equipment. Irrespective of your level of experience, having high-quality gear is crucial for making the task more efficient and safer for both yourself and the sheep. In today’s era, electric clippers are the norm among shears, with a slight premium attached. However, investing in shears boasting a higher tooth count on the comb will yield superior results.
Furthermore, it’s vital to verify the sharpness of your shears before commencing the cutting process. Dull instruments not only pose a challenge for you but also carry risks for all parties involved.
Prepare the Shearing Area
Before commencing the shearing process, ensure the area is dry and contained. A loading chute or pen provides an ideal environment, but a confined space will suffice if necessary. Ideally, round up your sheep a day in advance to allow them time to settle. It’s crucial to keep your flock dry, as wet wool is unsellable and may even result in electrical shocks for the animals. Additionally, consider fasting your sheep prior to shearing to minimize waste and mess.
This will not only reduce the amount of debris generated by their digestive process but also simplify cleanup efforts on the day of the procedure.
Position Your Sheep
To begin the shearing process, it’s essential to position your sheep effectively. You’ll utilize five primary positions throughout the procedure to ensure accessibility to all areas of the animal. The initial step is to gently tilt the sheep onto her back and prop her shoulders between your knees, elevating her legs and exposing her belly. Approach this delicate moment with caution and gentleness, as the sheep is already stressed and any rough handling will only exacerbate her anxiety.
Belly First
When commencing the shearing process, it’s essential to begin at the belly area, where the least clean and marketable wool is typically found. This strategic approach helps minimize losses and sets the tone for a successful shearing experience.
To initiate the process, use long strokes to shear the wool from the breastbone towards the flank area. Begin on the right-hand side with your first pass, also known as a ‘blow’, before moving to the left side.
As you complete each stroke, collect any remaining wool in between for efficient removal.
Hind Legs and Rear Second
As you continue to shear the sheep, move on to the inside of the right hind leg, working your way up towards the crotch. Be cautious not to nick any usable wool as it may be present in this area. To access this area safely, lean forward and draw the shears along the inside of the right leg, then remove the wool near the crotch. This process may require multiple repetitions to ensure all excess wool is removed.
When shearing in this region, be mindful of the ewe’s teats as they may become swollen, particularly if the sheep is due to lamb. Consider using your free hand or enlisting the help of someone else to cover and protect the teats from accidental nicking. Once you’ve completed the right hind leg, turn around so that your knee is in front and the right foreleg is positioned between your legs. This will allow you to access the left side for shearing.
Begin at the hoof on the left hind leg and work your way slowly back towards the rear, finishing near the sheep’s backbone.
Shear the Chest, Neck, and Chin
When it comes to trimming the neck, chest, and chin area of your sheep, precision is key. To begin, grasp the sheep’s chin firmly with one hand and use the other to stretch her head backward, creating a comfortable angle for clipping. With your clippers in hand, make slow and deliberate passes along the sides of the neck, taking care not to nick her ears as you work. Be sure to stop just below the chin, ensuring a clean and even trim.
Move on to the Left Shoulder
To complete the shearing process, you’ll need to tackle the left shoulder area. You may need to reposition the sheep and adjust your stance for optimal access. This region can prove challenging due to its natural wrinkles, so take care to maintain a steady grip. Use your non-shearing hand to gently stretch the skin taut, ensuring a smooth pass without compromising the sheep’s safety.
Work your way up the shoulder in slow, deliberate strokes, covering the entire area with just a couple of well-placed blows.
Shear the Back and Catch the Right Side
As you near the completion of shearing your sheep, it’s essential to attend to the remaining areas – the back and right side. To accomplish this, position the sheep on her side by sliding her down against your shin. Ensure one foot is placed between her hind legs while the other is situated beneath her shoulder. With your shears positioned at the tail and parallel to the spine, make long passes that extend from the back of the sheep and then downward.
As you work towards the head, maintain the same angle to avoid cutting the sheep’s skin. Once the left side is complete, move on to the right, adjusting your stance so the nose of the sheep rests between your knees. The final few passes should cover this area efficiently. Before concluding the shearing process, you’ll need to tackle the right leg and hindquarter. To access these areas comfortably, consider crouching on the ground – this will encourage the sheep to remain standing straight.
Use a curved, circular motion to shear these regions, taking care not to miss any spots.
Skirt and Roll Your Fleece
To render your wool marketable for sale, a crucial step is to skirt and roll it properly. Skirting involves eliminating any unsellable dirtied wool, which can be done by laying the fleece on a flat surface and removing any soiled or contaminated fibers that contain tags, mats, or off-color hues. Once you’ve completed this process, proceed to roll the fleece inwards towards its center, gradually rolling from one end to the other with the flesh side facing outward.
Be sure not to secure it with ties.
Tips for Shearing
When it comes to sharing your own sheep, several key tips come into play. To start, maintain a steady pace by making long, deliberate blows with the shears. Avoid hesitation or second-guessing, as this can lead to fumbling and mistakes that may result in injury to your sheep or the need for a second cut. By moving confidently and deliberately, you’ll be more likely to achieve clean, efficient cuts. Another important consideration is aiming to capture all the fleece in one pass.
If your initial cut is off-target, it can be challenging to incorporate the wool from subsequent cuts into your final rolled fleece product. With practice and experience, however, you’ll find yourself less inclined to resort to multiple cuts. Finally, having a good understanding of your sheep’s unique characteristics and needs can make all the difference.
Familiarity with their individual contours, body composition, and quirks can help you develop a sense of how to move the shears effectively and at the right angles. Even knowing the number of teats on each sheep can boost your confidence as a shearer, ultimately leading to better results.
Should You Shear Your Sheep Yourself – Or Call in the Pros?
Knowing when to DIY and when to seek expert help is crucial for successful sheep shearing. While it may seem appealing to tackle the task yourself, lack of experience can put both you and your flock at risk. However, mastering the skill can indeed save you money in the long run. Be honest about your capabilities and consider seeking guidance from helpful online resources, such as instructional videos. Practice makes perfect, after all!
If you’re unsure about your abilities, it’s perfectly fine to seek professional assistance or invest in training classes – the investment will likely be well worth it.