Sheep showing

How does the pearl dip change the EBVs?

I believe it improves the smell of them!!

You're correct that it might not penetrate the full fleece as effectively as a dipper would. However, you can still try

BFL BOS said:

Hi I’m after some advice on the best way to pearl dip BFL sheep? People suggested using a knapsack sprayer but surely this does not penetrate the full fleece as an actual dipper would? Advice needed for a first time shower of the blue faced Leicester breed. Thank you in advance.

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You need an old bath or a 220litre Blue plastic barrel on its side either in a frame or propped so it doesn't roll over, cut to a shape which will facilitate a small sheep bath, half fill with dip then tip the gangly legged dopey fecker on its back into the bath watching it doesn't drown itself, let it soak pull it out then spray the bits that aren't covered with the knapsack

BFL BOS said:

Hi I’m after some advice on the best way to pearl dip BFL sheep? People suggested using a knapsack sprayer but surely this does not penetrate the full fleece as an actual dipper would? Advice needed for a first time shower of the blue faced Leicester breed. Thank you in advance.

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Head restraint and a knapsack will help you do small numbers. Might have to repeat the job 2/3 times over a number of days to satisfy yourself. There are a range of powdered dye's you can buy to mix with a dash of purl dip in the knapsack to tweak the colour to your preference. The purl dip will help retain the dye colour for longer in the fleece. After you've sprayed them use a brush on the lower part of the fleece ( by brushing up) to reduce dripping down on to the legs. Stick a towel over their head too to avoid drift. Strangely helps keep them calm as well. Use a sponge to clean legs after and release each sheep individually into a different pen so they don't go rubbing on each other. Try to do the job when there's a bit of good drying weather.

There's a lot of faffing around with prepping sheep. But if you want to show sheep and be competitive there's no other option.

You'll have to start recording EBVs too keep some of the fellas above happy . I know where they're coming from, but you have to identify which market you want to sell into and figure out what works. Frowned upon by some people (and maybe rightly so in the purest sense) but at the same time there are plenty of folk as well who love showing sheep and who's to say you can't go and enjoy it yourself.