Pre lamb shearing

[beardface]

I've asked about this before on a couple of other threads. It's looking like I could start doing this as I've taken on a large amount of well sheltered ground. My question is for those that pre lamb shear do you empty ewes out? And how late do you dare risk it. Ewes would be starting mid April so thinking early March shear and into sheltered paddocks. Possibly bit of cake a week before and a week after to keep them well adjusted.

 

[shearerlad]

It would be far easier on the ewes o empty them out before shearing. Remember that full guts at shearing leads to higher stress levels which is the last thing you want. Timing wise, I’d say 4 weeks before due date is about the cut off, but I’m happy to be corrected on that. I used to do some prelamb shearing but it had to be before scanning so that the marks weren’t taken off

 

[Agrivator]

There will be a severe welfare issue. Housed sheep can be sheared, but it would be a disaster with out-wintered sheep.

 

[beardface]

There will be a severe welfare issue. Housed sheep can be sheared, but it would be a disaster with out-wintered sheep.

We're in a fairly dry area with generally reasonable weather in March. Thinking cover combs, poss with lifters if there's adverts weather in the long range.

 

[DanM]

I've asked about this before on a couple of other threads. It's looking like I could start doing this as I've taken on a large amount of well sheltered ground. My question is for those that pre lamb shear do you empty ewes out? And how late do you dare risk it. Ewes would be starting mid April so thinking early March shear and into sheltered paddocks. Possibly bit of cake a week before and a week after to keep them well adjusted.

We lamb Romney’s 15th April onwards. Shear everything pre-lamb for last 3 years, usually 5-7 days before the 15th. Find less issues doing it as close as possible, as March can often be a cold month. If weathers set fair we clean shear, otherwise use cover combs. Unless your ewes are lacking condition, no need to feed cake, but then if they’re lacking condition I wouldn’t pre-lamb shear.

 

[Muddyroads]

We’re in a fairly dry area, then came the beast from the east!

 

[scottish-lleyn]

Fit ewes on sheltered ground with plenty keep in front of them will be fi e shorn with cover combs in march. Do empty them out to avoid as much stress as possible. And have a back up plan for a freak storm for the first 3-4 days after shearing after that they will be fine.

 

[irish dom]

It's an interesting concept but I don't think I could get away with it here. Neighbours would report me. Is it really fair on a heavily pregnant ewe to be putting her through stress of shearing in what is usually cold wet time of year.?What's the advantages to it? I clip mine all in August after weaning and find they don't have huge fleece at lambing. Also would catching a ewe in trouble lambing not be a nightmare?

 

[DanM]

It's an interesting concept but I don't think I could get away with it here. Neighbours would report me. Is it really fair on a heavily pregnant ewe to be putting her through stress of shearing in what is usually cold wet time of year.?What's the advantages to it? I clip mine all in August after weaning and find they don't have huge fleece at lambing. Also would catching a ewe in trouble lambing not be a nightmare?

advantages we find are...
ewe will take lambs to shelter in bad weather
easier for lamb to find teats (no wool/dag sucking)
No fly issues with ewes till tailing
No ewes getting cast over lambing

 

[clod hopper]

advantages we find are...
ewe will take lambs to shelter in bad weather
easier for lamb to find teats (no wool/dag sucking)
No fly issues with ewes till tailing
No ewes getting cast over lambing

Also ewes will eat more to keep warm a side affect is bigger lambs

 

[beardface]

We lamb Romney’s 15th April onwards. Shear everything pre-lamb for last 3 years, usually 5-7 days before the 15th. Find less issues doing it as close as possible, as March can often be a cold month. If weathers set fair we clean shear, otherwise use cover combs. Unless your ewes are lacking condition, no need to feed cake, but then if they’re lacking condition I wouldn’t pre-lamb shear.

Do you shear yourself? Would need to be fairly gentle that close to lambing?

 

[Agrivator]

We're in a fairly dry area with generally reasonable weather in March. Thinking cover combs, poss with lifters if there's adverts weather in the long range.

Next February, when you're out in a bitter East wind with a bit of sleet, take your overcoat and jumper off, throw them away, and stand for an hour or two in a sheltered spot.

Regardless of what some on here have said, do not, and I repeat, do not, shear out-wintered pregnant-ewes in March.

 

[Agrivator]

Fit ewes on sheltered ground with plenty keep in front of them will be fi e shorn with cover combs in march. Do empty them out to avoid as much stress as possible. And have a back up plan for a freak storm for the first 3-4 days after shearing after that they will be fine.

Who do you know of who has done it? And if a ewe is carrying triplets, how long would you starve her before shearing so that she's emptied out.

 

[DanM]

Do you shear yourself? Would need to be fairly gentle that close to lambing?

I do. Clearly you can’t be dropping them on the boards without a thought and they don’t want pushing up over tight in the yards. However closer to lambing the developing lamb is well attached in the womb and would take some shifting. We’ve not had an issue. The benefit of increased day length in April nd generally warmer temperatures outweigh any perceived risk.

 

[beardface]

I do. Clearly you can’t be dropping them on the boards without a thought and they don’t want pushing up over tight in the yards. However closer to lambing the developing lamb is well attached in the womb and would take some shifting. We’ve not had an issue. The benefit of increased day length in April nd generally warmer temperatures outweigh any perceived risk.

Do you second shear later in year?

 

[DanM]

Do you second shear later in year?

Nope. Our system is; shear early April. Clik on ewes at tailing end of may. Crutch pre-tupping. Not had a problem with fly strike in ewes for 3 years since doing this

 

[scottish-lleyn]

Who do you know of who has done it? And if a ewe is carrying triplets, how long would you starve her before shearing so that she's emptied out.

I shear a couple of large outdoor lambing flock pre-lamb every year. 24hrs off lush grazing is not starving and wont do the sheep any harm. Ive shorn plenty of sheep pre lamb in nz and some of them where in the shed for days to keep them out the snow and didnt seem to be in to much distress.

 

[beardface]

I shear a couple of large outdoor lambing flock pre-lamb every year. 24hrs off lush grazing is not starving and wont do the sheep any harm. Ive shorn plenty of sheep pre lamb in nz and some of them where in the shed for days to keep them out the snow and didnt seem to be in to much distress.

Did you leave bellies on any off them. Would 12-18 hours off feed be plenty?

 

[Red dogs]

When I was last shearing in Nz (2015) I would have shorn more ewes down the South Island pre lamb with a cover comb than I shore with a flat comb with lambs at foot. It would have been about an even split with leaving the belly on or taking it off

 

[scottish-lleyn]

Did you leave bellies on any off them. Would 12-18 hours off feed be plenty?

They are better emptied right out so the longer the better but as long as your happy with. Take the bellys of the ones i do here use cover combs. Like @Red dogs says some leave them on in nz but i found that was mostly as they had been crutched and only had half wool on the bellys anyway.