Shearing replacement lambs - Worth the cost?

[Jerry]

Last year I sheared my replacement lambs, ewes and rams.

Pros and cons given the cost of shearing.

Is it the right thing?

 

[hubbahubba]

Some people say it helps them thrive and grow better, I personally don't see this but we shear a couple hundred before going to the tup, just keeps them cleaner and no chance getting hung up in hedges etc.

Cons, makes them look rather small

 

[Estate fencing.]

Makes a massive difference here. Did 90 last year and 10 didn’t get done (where out at the time), the shorn ones did so much better and stayed fitter all winter. Doesn’t cost me anything as I do them myself (30/hour) saving a crovect (50p) and get the wool (25p).

 

[mixedfmr]

Makes a massive difference here. Did 90 last year and 10 didn’t get done (where out at the time), the shorn ones did so much better and stayed fitter all winter. Doesn’t cost me anything as I do them myself (30/hour) saving a crovect (50p) and get the wool (25p).

Yes , do them yourself, easy and quick job, and get a growth spurt that is maintained
Shearing replacement lambs and hoggs is always guarenteed to add kilos for almost nothing
Shearing puts weight on a thin young sheep in days ( week or so)
Generations back they knew this. But things get questioned as the mist of time moves on, and folkes forget

 

[neilo]

Some people say it helps them thrive and grow better, I personally don't see this but we shear a couple hundred before going to the tup, just keeps them cleaner and no chance getting hung up in hedges etc.

Cons, makes them look rather small

Most folk have stopped shearing ewe lambs round here, so the shearers tell me.

There is no evidence at all, from many trials, that shorn ewe lambs grow any faster or conceive any better. However, they definitely stay cleaner on roots and get hung in briars less.

 

[ford4000]

I shore mine once and then felt sorry for them all winter sheltering in hedges from the wind and rain so I haven't done it since

 

[mixedfmr]

Most folk have stopped shearing ewe lambs round here, so the shearers tell me.

There is no evidence at all, from many trials, that shorn ewe lambs grow any faster or conceive any better. However, they definitely stay cleaner on roots and get hung in briars less.

Maybe an east coast phenomenon

 

[Northeastfarmer]

They definitely finish better with no coat on

 

[Estate fencing.]

they dry in a few hours not days. Plus you can see what condition they are in.

 

[Skintagain]

Never done it here tempted to try

 

[Shepherd12]

Got to be done early in my experience. Aim to do ours around the end of July and always see the benefit. However shearing them now at the end of august we find it has the opposite effect.

 

[Devil's advocate]

Never done it here tempted to try

Still 8 weeks of decent weather if you have the time , crack on.

Just read post above, too late.

 

[Skintagain]

Still 8 weeks of decent weather if you have the time , crack on.

Just read post above, too late.

I only got ewes finished two weeks ago! Time isn’t spare often.

 

[Estate fencing.]

I only got ewes finished two weeks ago! Time isn’t spare often.

If you like shearing lambs are a very enjoyable job.

 

[hubbahubba]

Still to do ours. Hopefully next week.

 

[Lili]

Shear as early as possible. They seem to do better not carrying a saturated fleece all winter, easier to keep an eye on their condition and if you run a ram with them their lambs will find the teats much quicker.

 

[Anymulewilldo]

they dry in a few hours not days. Plus you can see what condition they are in.

Fit more in the dead bin too…

 

[Anymulewilldo]

If you like shearing lambs are a very enjoyable job.

Christ! I hated it when we were on Mashams and grandad came home with 80/90 tupping lambs from Bentham. All had to be sheared or you’d lose 2/3 over winter hung up in hedges out on keep. Covered in bloody wool and kick Severn shades of shite out of me while clipping

 

[Estate fencing.]

Well I never considered mashams.

 

[Anymulewilldo]

Well I never considered mashams.

He was saying he misses the Mashams. They’ve nearly all gone now. So I bought him 2 masham hoggs with single lambs in the spring. mental bloody things