Battery Powered Sheep Shears

Leereade

Member
Location
Lancs
As commented above really, I do not trust myself with scissors on a live animal that doesn't really want me anywhere near it, as I have read that they are extremely sharp etc.

I have used shears on other animals, so feel more confident in their use, and hopefully would be less stressful for the animal.
I would think you could do just as much damage with a hand piece as you could with hand shears but it must be what you feel comfortable with good luck and let us know what you decide to go with
 

Ukjay

Member
Location
Wales!
I would think you could do just as much damage with a hand piece as you could with hand shears but it must be what you feel comfortable with good luck and let us know what you decide to go with

Will do, but I am also subcontiously thinking about self preservation - I like my parts in tact as far as possible ☺
 

Y Fan Wen

Member
Location
N W Snowdonia
I've spent a night in hospital after driving a comb through my forearm and vein so I quite understand.
Hand implements are not as bad as you think as you actually do each cutting stroke individually.
Regarding the Jakoti, they must be really good and desireable 'cos I've bought three pairs and haven't got one.
 

neilo

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Montgomeryshire
Hi neilo,

I do not trust myself with scissors, as I have heard those are really sharp, hence why I thought about battery operated ones, as I am used to handling them - as you may have seen from the farm dog thread.

Just a thought, but what type of clippers did you use to butcher the dogs (you should see our Norfolk when she's just been clipped :D)? If they were, or you have access to proper horse clippers, you might be able to get a head/shearing blades to fit them. That would be far cheaper than any clippers just for occasional use on sheep.
 

Nithsdale

Member
Livestock Farmer
@Ukjay how many sheep are you planning having?

I would recommend the Jakoti shears as previously suggested.
Just take your time the first few ewes or lambs you dagg with them... your confidence will grow as you get familiar with them - but, aye, they are sharp!
 

Ukjay

Member
Location
Wales!
Just a thought, but what type of clippers did you use to butcher the dogs (you should see our Norfolk when she's just been clipped :D)? If they were, or you have access to proper horse clippers, you might be able to get a head/shearing blades to fit them. That would be far cheaper than any clippers just for occasional use on sheep.

We use specific dog clippers for the Mutts, so they will not work on the dense fleece of a sheep unfortunately.

We do have a set of proper horse clippers though they are plug in the wall type, so not ideal for me, as I can see myself getting tangled up
 

Ukjay

Member
Location
Wales!
@Ukjay how many sheep are you planning having?

I would recommend the Jakoti shears as previously suggested.
Just take your time the first few ewes or lambs you dagg with them... your confidence will grow as you get familiar with them - but, aye, they are sharp!

To be honest, we have not decided on a final number. We asked on here what quantity we should look to go for, as there are a few variations on what land / sheep ratio when reading the internet or books.
The paddock is just under 5 acreas, but as the grass us unknown - it was why we asked. The local farmer has advised the land has been grazed before.
 

Nithsdale

Member
Livestock Farmer
To be honest, we have not decided on a final number. We asked on here what quantity we should look to go for, as there are a few variations on what land / sheep ratio when reading the internet or books.
The paddock is just under 5 acreas, but as the grass us unknown - it was why we asked. The local farmer has advised the land has been grazed before.


For 5 acres, your not going to be talking a large flock. Honestly, save your money and get a pair of Jakoti. I'm running 550 ewes (and expanding) and all I ever clean tails with - on dirty lambs going away fat - is a pair of Jakoti's. I only consider a machine once we are into winter, and lambs must be tail, crutch and belly clipped.
 

Ukjay

Member
Location
Wales!
For 5 acres, your not going to be talking a large flock. Honestly, save your money and get a pair of Jakoti. I'm running 550 ewes (and expanding) and all I ever clean tails with - on dirty lambs going away fat - is a pair of Jakoti's. I only consider a machine once we are into winter, and lambs must be tail, crutch and belly clipped.

The 5 acreas is the test bed for a paddock that is a pita to mow, we have another 20 that may end up becoming a home for the woolies if the misses likes the bloody things running around

This is why I am finding ibfo on these shears as I do not want to be shaving sh!ty arses for too long personally, but I suppose you get used to these things.

May I ask why you follow the winter schedule you mention, is there a reason for such husbandry?
 

Nithsdale

Member
Livestock Farmer
The 5 acreas is the test bed for a paddock that is a pita to mow, we have another 20 that may end up becoming a home for the woolies if the misses likes the bloody things running around

This is why I am finding ibfo on these shears as I do not want to be shaving sh!ty arses for too long personally, but I suppose you get used to these things.

May I ask why you follow the winter schedule you mention, is there a reason for such husbandry?


If you get the right sheep (breeding - not breed) even in a larger flock of which your 20acres will carry, you will only be doing small numbers.

Belly clipping once we get into winter is dictated to us.
Once lambs are getting dirty, from trough or hopper feeding the abattoirs put out a statement that any lamb presented to them unclipped will be rejected. Nearly all markets offer a clipping service for around 60p a lamb, and I imagine most abattoirs do too, for lambs they source direct.
 

Ukjay

Member
Location
Wales!
If you get the right sheep (breeding - not breed) even in a larger flock of which your 20acres will carry, you will only be doing small numbers.

That unfortunately is something that will come with experience (getting the right sheep). As a newcomer, I wouldn't be certain in choosing the better bred stock.


Belly clipping once we get into winter is dictated to us.
Once lambs are getting dirty, from trough or hopper feeding the abattoirs put out a statement that any lamb presented to them unclipped will be rejected. Nearly all markets offer a clipping service for around 60p a lamb, and I imagine most abattoirs do too, for lambs they source direct.

They don't want much then do they.
 

Ukjay

Member
Location
Wales!
Jay

I have jakoti & 12v battery clippers. Don't think you won't cut just cos using clippers. If they really shiť up then jakoti are mint.

Oh I know you can cut with shears, it is more about the feeling that I would be more in control with shears as I am used to handling them.
 

Al R

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
West Wales
Running 1100ewes here and I don't think I can justify mobile electric clippers.. got a 20year old 12V Lister Nova which is set up in the static yard but don't think it's ever left there..

Buy the hand shares!
 

Ukjay

Member
Location
Wales!
Running 1100ewes here and I don't think I can justify mobile electric clippers.. got a 20year old 12V Lister Nova which is set up in the static yard but don't think it's ever left there..

Buy the hand shares!

Are you bent over double now then, manually clipping them must be back breaking, plus your hands must be all arthritic?
 

Al R

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
West Wales
Are you bent over double now then, manually clipping them must be back breaking, plus your hands must be all arthritic?

The lister nova does it all, we bring that single animal back to the pens to do it if it's just 1. If more than 1 get that field in. Everything is trimmed straight after lambing and then a fly deterrent like Vetrazin( on something else now) which gives 6-8 weeks cover and the ewes get sheared end of May so it's no problem on them then, trim all backsides again in August and again mid December if it's a long wool type ewe.
 

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

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