Sheep shearing, typically...
Sheep shearing, typically just called shearing, is the process by which the woolen fleece of a sheep is removed. The person who removes the sheep's wool is called a shearer. Typically shearing occurs once per year per sheep. The annual shearing most often occurs in a shearing shed, a facility especially designed to process dozens – or more often hundreds – of sheep per day.
Most breeds of sheep grow wool continuously, so it is important to shear them at least
once per year. In 2004, the average sheep in the U.S. produced 7.4 lbs. of grease wool.
Shearing is usually done in the spring, so sheep don't get overheated in the summer.
Sometimes, sheep are sheared in the winter prior to lambing. There are many advantages
to shearing sheep prior to lambing. Sheared sheep take up less room in the barn and
around feeders. It is easier for lambs to nurse sheared ewes. However, sheep that are
shorn in the winter require good nutrition and shelter. Some producers shear their
sheep twice per year.
Anyone can attempt to shear a sheep, but not everyone can do a good job. Shearing is
a specialized skill and hard work. Shearing requires skill so that they are shorn
efficiently without cuts or injuries to the sheep and shearer. If shearing is not
carried out skillfully, it is stressful to the sheep. It is best to hire professional
shearers to shear sheep. Small sheep farms often have a difficult time getting shearers.
Small farms can save money by bringing sheep to a central location for sheearing.
Producers can learn to shear by attending shearing schools.
Before electric shears (up until about the 1880's), sheep were sheared with hand
shears or blades. In some parts of the world where electricity is limited or not
available, sheep are still blade sheared. Compared to machine shorn sheep, blade
shorn sheep will have more wool. The New Zealand method is the most common method
of shearing. Many shearers of Spanish or Mexican descent use a style of shearing
that requires the legs of the sheep to be tied.
Electric shears have three basic parts: the handpiece, the comb and the cutters.
Commercial sheep shears, having a powerful electric motor attached to the ceiling.
Portable electric shears have the motor inside the handle of the handpiece. Expect
to pay $250-500 for a good set of electric shears. More teeth on a comb generally
mean a cut closer to the skin. Cutters generally have 4 points, triangular protrusions,
and attach to the handpiece by way of four "fingers" that press them firmly against
the comb. Cutters are the first thing to dull, and you will probably want about 3
cutters for every comb. Changing cutters is quick, and it ensures a sharp tool.
Remember, dull tools are dangerous tools. Cutters cost $10-15. When purchasing shearing
combs, it is important to buy a type of comb that is best suited to the sheep you will
be shearing.
Hand shears and a sharpening stone or electric shears or clippers and an extension
cord, a blower, a brush, a laundry basket or container in which to place prime fleece,
a second container for contaminated fleece, paper or plastic bags, a marker, a pen or
pencil and a record book. Suggested types of brushes are: a porcupine brush (a brush
with plastic teeth which are surrounded by boar bristles and arranged in clusters),
or a regular hair brush with plastic bristles that have small balls on the ends.
Hand shears are less expensive and easier for the novice shearer to use. They may need
to be sharpened after each llama. Purchase rigged shears because they spring back after
each clip and make shearing less tiresome on the shearing hand. It is easier to leave
an inch or so of fiber on the llama using hand shears, but hand shears will leave
a rougher, choppier look. This can be remedied by blocking. Blocking is a technique
used by shepherds to trim, neaten and even out the surface of the wool on the sheep
by shaping it to the contours of the sheep's body.. To block, brush the sheared fiber
so that it stands out, and use hand shears to trim the uneven ends and create a smooth
even surface. The shears are held vertically (perpendicular to the ground) and clipping
is done from front to back or vice versa.
Electric shears cost more than hand shears. They require electricity in the shearing
area, make a vibration that the llama can feel, are noisy and can be more difficult
for some llamas to accept. They will enable you to shear very close to the contours
of the llama's body, but it is easy to cut the llama, especially for the novice
shearer. If you choose to shear to the skin, it will be necessary to keep your llama
out of the midday sun for a week or so to prevent sunburn.