Shearing

Aye-up,

I recently bought a rechargeable sheep clipper. Thought it might be good if ever we get a case of maggots.

It’s been on the bench looking at me for a month and I thought maybe I could razz the wool of our 4 shearlings we are going to show in 6 weeks.

I mean, how hard can it be? I was reasonably good at the job back along and it’s only been 29 years since I did a few :rolleyes::D

Anyhow, only one tiny nick on a leg and a close shave near an eyelid and they don’t look too bad although I say it myself.

BUT, they were as sticky as chewing gum. To be expected I suppose in the cool weather. And Hampshire Downs with grubby bellies were probably not the best sheep to try and get back in the saddle.

So I was wondering how folks get on when winter shearing? Do they glide through? Or is it just the really woolly breeds that aren’t suitable for shearing in cool weather?

Cheers, Pete
 

gerr

Member
Location
Mid Wales
They shear well in the winter, full of wool with no short cuts but easier enough. Used to shear a lot in January back in the day. In the spring the coat changes as the grease builds up and they get sticky. Then you have to leave them to their time or you struggle on and they look terrible.
 
We bought a Masterclip.

I’ve no idea how it compares to others. We only run 60-70 sheep and I have never shorn any with it until today and I still plan using a contractor to do the others. I just wanted these done so they get a nice bit of growth before the show in six weeks.
 

ARW

Member
Location
Yorkshire
I got the battery clipper from George mudge, great for docking out or belly clipping, makes docking out easy! The only complaint is it’s abit numb with the battery but it’s better than shears
 

Deutzdx3

Member
I decided to shear my alpacas last year! [emoji23] never sheared any thing in my life. Thought let’s give it a go. Very steep learning curve. First alpaca 45 mins. Last one 15-20 hats off to shearers. I would never want to do it as a job. It’s bloody graft.
 

Bury the Trash

Member
Mixed Farmer
Tiz a bit early and cold .
Hard work hacking away at them.. plus @Cab-over Pete they ain't gonna look so good with chunks took out of 'em :D:facepalm:

Ah well, Just One of the things to do with showing or selling at early sales I guess.

How about Get a keen young lad to do them for you.....save yer raised blood pressure...:unsure:
 
I decided to shear my alpacas last year! [emoji23] never sheared any thing in my life. Thought let’s give it a go. Very steep learning curve. First alpaca 45 mins. Last one 15-20 hats off to shearers. I would never want to do it as a job. It’s bloody graft.[/QUOTE

There are people who enjoy it



I’m one of those weirdos!!




Only do 600 per year on weekends though so No where near as sick as a contractor
 
I’ve only done a few for the kids to show. They look smart now but only because, if I’m honest, we got them on a halter and tidied them up!!

No cuts though, just a nick on one leg so I’m pleased.

We will shear the main bunch next week too, I’ll get a contractor in. I like doing them early, can’t abide the maggot risk.
 

ARW

Member
Location
Yorkshire
I’ve only done a few for the kids to show. They look smart now but only because, if I’m honest, we got them on a halter and tidied them up!!

No cuts though, just a nick on one leg so I’m pleased.

We will shear the main bunch next week too, I’ll get a contractor in. I like doing them early, can’t abide the maggot risk.
Now Pete, I don’t want to be a jerk, but I’m going to be a jerk!
Two lads who work for us fencing are sheep shearers, they HATE it if anybody mentions shearing because of maggots, they say shearing is a time of year and has nothing to do with maggots as that’s a management issue!
Just saying
 
I agree with them, we are going too early and the best time from a shearers point of view is after and during hotter weather.

And they’re right about the management issue too. My issue is I’m not a full time farmer and spend many days not seeing the sheep at all. My wife checks over them twice a day and she doesn’t need the maggot risk so we shear early. If we get one struck I have to sort it late evening which I don’t want either.

We will Clik after a few weeks and Ectofly lambs do we do the job belt and braces.
 

tepapa

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
North Wales
I agree with them, we are going too early and the best time from a shearers point of view is after and during hotter weather.

And they’re right about the management issue too. My issue is I’m not a full time farmer and spend many days not seeing the sheep at all. My wife checks over them twice a day and she doesn’t need the maggot risk so we shear early. If we get one struck I have to sort it late evening which I don’t want either.

We will Clik after a few weeks and Ectofly lambs do we do the job belt and braces.
That fine but be sure to pay the shearers handsomely for struggling with sheep that aren't ready.
 

andybk

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Mendips Somerset
Now Pete, I don’t want to be a jerk, but I’m going to be a jerk!
Two lads who work for us fencing are sheep shearers, they HATE it if anybody mentions shearing because of maggots, they say shearing is a time of year and has nothing to do with maggots as that’s a management issue!
Just saying

i shear in may as i dont want to be dealing with maggots , or sheep on their backs , and most importantly i dont want to spend the day shearing through chemicals , even after the withdraw date . sooner shear early and use chems after . was shearing yesterday came off a treat , as said above i left early lambers till end may a few years back and was very difficult getting it off as grease had dried off after weaning .
 
Now Pete, I don’t want to be a jerk, but I’m going to be a jerk!
Two lads who work for us fencing are sheep shearers, they HATE it if anybody mentions shearing because of maggots, they say shearing is a time of year and has nothing to do with maggots as that’s a management issue!
Just saying
Exactly right too
 

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