Facts of Sheep shearing

Well, if we leaf through the pages of a history book, we may find human beings and sheep co-existing for ages. Since the beginning of human settlement, wool has been evidently found in history. Needless to say, the domestication of sheep is not really a modern-day concept. In fact, the human race extensively relies on sheep.

Today, we go over a few facts about sheep and shearing that you never knew about. Let’s take a look!

Sheep can Never Stop Growing Wool

Did you know Shrek the Merino Sheep took shelter in a cave so that nobody could shear him? After 6 years, he was caught for shearing and the process was televised. This incident stirred the community because one could make 20 men’s suits with wool.

Some sheep grow wool and shed. However, Merino sheep can keep growing. It depends on the breed, but a sheep produces 30 pounds per year. Sheep do not feel comfortable when their thick wool grows back; it causes distress in summer.

Sheep Shearing is a Common Practice

As you know, wool comes from the fleece of sheep. This makes wool a type of fibre that is moisture-absorbing, wrinkle-resisting and long-lasting. You can guess why blankets, sweaters and rugs are commonly-found woollen products. If you want fine wool, you need to shear Rambouillet and Merino.

Shearing is a regular practice done every year. Professionals wash the wool removed from the sheep. Then they comb and spin for the yarn. It is quite surprising to know that it takes 70 steps to get the highest quality of wool. Sheep usually grow back their wool in 6-8 weeks.

Shearing can be Done in Minutes

Shearing is a challenging task. But a pro shearer takes less than 2 minutes to shear a sheep. Skilled shearers are able to shear 400-500 sheep every day. On the other hand, apprentices can shear a minimum of 200 sheep a day.

In 2010, Hilton Barrett, an Australian shearer, sheared a sheep within 29.31 seconds! He was crowned as the fastest shearer back then.

There are heaps of interesting things to know about sheep shearing. Keep your glued to our weekly blog posts. And let us know in the comment section if you have any facts to share!