Most breeds of sheep grow wool continuously, so it is important to shear them at least once per year. Shearing is usually done in the spring, so sheep don't get overheated in the summer. Sometimes, sheep are sheared in the winter prior to lambing. There are many advantagesto shearing sheep prior to lambing. Sheared sheep take up less room in the barn and around feeders. It is easier for lambs to nurse sheared ewes. However, sheep that are shorn in the winter require good nutrition and shelter. Some producers shear their sheep twice per year. Anyone can attempt to shear a sheep, but not everyone can do a good job. Shearing is a specialized skill and takes a lot of hard work. Shearing requires skill so that they are shorn efficiently without cuts or injuries to the sheep and shearer. If shearing is not carried out skillfully, it is stressful to the sheep. Before electric shears (up until about the 1880's), sheep were sheared with hand shears or blades. In some parts of the world where electricity is limited or not available, sheep are still blade sheared. Compared to machine shorn sheep, blade shorn sheep will have more wool. The New Zealand method is the most common method of shearing. Many shearers of Spanish or Mexican descent use a style of shearing that requires the legs of the sheep to be tied. Electric shears have three basic parts: the handpiece, the comb and the cutters. Commercial sheep shears, having a powerful electric motor attached to the ceiling. Portable electric shears have the motor inside the handle of the handpiece. Expect to pay $250-500 for a good set of electric shears. More teeth on a comb generally mean a cut closer to the skin. Cutters generally have 4 points, triangular protrusions, and attach to the handpiece by way of four "fingers" that press them firmly against the comb. Cutters are the first thing to dull, and you will probably want about 3 cutters for every comb. Changing cutters is quick, and it ensures a sharp tool. Remember, dull tools are dangerous tools. When purchasing shearing combs, it is important to buy a type of comb that is best suited to the sheep you will be shearing. Preparing sheep for shearing A sheep sheared should be contacted well in advance of shearing time. Sheep should be penned before shearing. They should be sorted into the following groups: lambs, yearlings, rams and ewes by breed and/or grade. Sheep should be fasted before shearing. This will result in a much cleaner shearing floor. A full stomach also contributes to animal discomfort during shearing. Wet sheep should not be shorn. Sheep should be sheared on a clean, dry surface (e.g. wood, carpet, canvas, or concrete). The shearing area should be swept after each sheep to provide a clean surface for the next.
Skirting Fleeces
After shearing, belly wool and tags should be separated from the rest of the fleece. Every sheep producer should learn how to skirt and roll a fleece. To skirt, throw the fleece flesh side down, so the dirty end of the fleece faces up. Remove off-color wool, tags around the breach, very short and matted wool, and other contaminated areas. Then roll the two sides of the fleece in toward the middle and roll the fleece from one end to the other. The flesh side will face out, created a clean, attractive package for the buyer. It is usually not necessary to tie fleeces. If fleeces are tied, only paper twine should be used. Different grades or classes of wool should be packaged separately. All belly wool, tags, off-color, burry, seedy, chaffy, cotted, stained or dead
wool should be handled and bagged separately. Black wool should be kept separate from white wool. Bags of wool should be labeled. Properly sorted and labeled wool will bring more money to the grower. Wool should be stored in a clean, dry place until ready.
Crotching/Crutching
Crotching is a short, quick modification of shearing. Only the wool in the vulva area and around the udder is removed. If ewes are ot sheared before lambing, it is a good idea to crotch them. Crutching offers some of the same advantages as shearing prior to lambing. Crutching is the removal of wool from the crutch of a sheep to keep the area dry and less attractive to blowfly strike. Not All Sheep Require Shearing. It is generally not necessary to shearing hair sheep. In addition, many of the primitive breeds will also naturally shed their coats. Jacob sheep are different than many breeds. they do not grow wool on their faces, or their bellies, which makes shearing a bit easier.