It takes a lot of time to excel and become an expert in shearing. But before gaining a proper experience, randomly buying supplies is not worth the deal. If the proper basics of the process are not known, it would only result in frustration. However, if you raise sheep, there is no way you can avoid shearing them for better-quality fleece. So let's take a clear look at the process of shearing sheep!

Early Spring shearing

Most shearers prefer to utilize the spring season to shear sheep before the flies hatch, and extreme heat builds up. Some of the top reasons for this are:

  • Wool tends to grow constantly and would only make the sheep uncomfortable. Not shearing the wool can lead to the development of skin sores.
  • Sheep that are not shorn become itchy and make the wool fall off.
  • Flystrike; Dirty and clogged wools tend to invite flies leading to flystrike.
  • Early shearing helps to examine the current condition of the sheep properly.

Equipment

Proper equipment is essential to get the best quality wool when shearing. Some of the equipment needed is:

  • Larger tarp for ground cover
  • Temporary storage with plastic bags
  • Water
  • Treats for animals
  • Scissors
  • Shearing cutters and clippers

Shearing a sheep shearing other animals

One of the major things to consider when shearing a sheep is to remove the entire wool in one piece. The chest area is usually shorn first, and avoiding going over the same shorn areas more than once is essential. This tends to reduce the quality of the wool. Once the shearer completes the lower neck and chest area, parting the fleece will work on the other side. Once the fleece is removed, the shearer will again go back over the dock and lower legs to extract the solid wool.

Once fleece removal is learned from basics in terms of sheep, it becomes easy to

do it on other animals. Animals like Pygora, Llamas, Angora, and Alpacas also require fleece removal one or two times.

Cleaning the fleece

Do you use the fleece by commercially processing it in a fiber mill? If yes, you would only need to remove the large debris before storing it.

One way to ace this shearing technique is by investing in quality tools. Check out the best quality products offered at the official website of Shear Quantity to know more.