Clipping ewes for housing

[Andyt880]

Just wondering what the thoughts are on clipping ewes that are going to housed in the next week or so until mid march. They will be housed on wire mesh in a fairly closed in shed. Several people have told me it would be best to clip them when housed.
Lambing starts around 17th of march so will be going back out to grass from then on.
The ewes are Suffolk x Cheviot
This is our first year lambing ewes so have never had sheep housed before.
Thanks

 

[Poorbuthappy]

I would, though I've not had them on mesh before.
But still, if fairly closed in shed, wouldn't hesitate to shear.

 

[Bury the Trash]

yes, now to early Jan will be good timing to do them, at the point of housing

 

[Andyt880]

@The farm hand

 

[hillman]

I'm clipping Friday for early march lambing albeit onto straw
We're doing it since the 80s and wouldn't go back bar maybe September clip
Friend clips and on mesh slats , gives them 2/3 nights on straw before returning them

 

[Andyt880]

When clipping at this time of year do you use a comb to leave more wool on the ewe than normal summer clipping?

 

[Bury the Trash]

normal one....yer housing.

 

[Bones]

Great job, you won't have to summer clip, all the hard work will be done

 

[Devil's advocate]

I like the idea. Just a bit scared of harming the unborn lambs.

I suppose if you have prolapses you have to use a harness, rather than those tie in spoons?

 

[jonny]

Been winter shearing since ‘90 sheep are much healthier inside shorn shed holds 30% more as well lambs much heavier at birth as well. Would need a minimum of 6 weeks regrowth before turnout shorn ewes stay nearer to shelter too

 

[jonny]

Pens well emptied out

 

[Poorbuthappy]

I like the idea. Just a bit scared of harming the unborn lambs.

I suppose if you have prolapses you have to use a harness, rather than those tie in spoons?

Don't like spoons anyway. Harnesses much better.
As long as shearers are sensible, no issue for the unborn lambs.

 

[new/man]

many issues with mastitis if u get a cold spring?

 

[shearerlad]

No real issues with mastitis as the udder has time to adjust to the cold. Far better to be completely shorn 4 weeks pre lamb than crutched when put out of the shed with 2 day old lambs.

 

[Bones]

many issues with mastitis if u get a cold spring?

I used to have my suspicions about winter shearing and mastitis , so last year I tried September shearing , probably had more mastitis cases than I had before , so nothing to do with it,,next move will be shedders, trying to do away with the shearing all together.