How to shear a sheep: tools and methods, shearing sequence

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 20:55

Sheep people grow not only for meat, but also to obtain high-quality wool. Many breeds of these animals have been bred by breeders. And all of them are classified into four large groups: fine-fleeced and semi-fine-fleeced, coarse-haired and semi-coarse-haired. The answer to the question of how to shear sheep depends to a large extent on exactly which variety the breed grown on the farm belongs to.

At what age do sheep shear

Representatives of fine-wool and semi-fine-wool breeds usually undergo this procedure for the first time only a year after birth. An exception in this case are those farms where these animals are kept according to intensive technology. On such farms, the sheep of this group are sheared for the first time most often at 5-6 months. However, even in such farms, wool at this age is removed only from lambs born in January or February. In any case, shearing fine-fleeced lamb is allowed only until mid-July. Otherwise, the sheep's wool will not reach commercial length by next spring.

Rough-haired animals in all farms are sheared for the first time at the age of 5-6 months. At the same time, only well-developed and he althy lambs are chosen for this procedure.

Timing

Let's talk about how to shear sheep correctly below. For starters, it’s worth figuring out when it’s right to carry out this procedure.

Rough-wooled sheep differ from fine-wooled sheep primarily in that their wool is heterogeneous. But at the same time, hair grows in such animals faster. Therefore, coarse-wooled sheep are sheared more often. Usually representatives of the breeds of this group undergo such a procedure twice a year - in spring and autumn.

The exception to the general rule in this case are Romanov sheep. The hair of these animals grows very quickly. Therefore, they are sheared in most households three times a year. Additionally, such sheep undergo this procedure in the summer.

In the spring, wool is removed from coarse-wooled sheep not earlier than stable warm weather sets in. Otherwise, the animals may subsequently catch a cold. Farmers who have wondered how to shear sheep correctly should also keep in mind that this procedure should be carried out in the spring when the wool of the sheep of this group is tucked. That is, the hair in animals will begin to move away from the mezdra relatively easily due to the onset of molting.

Fine-fleeced sheep are sheared, as already mentioned, only once a year - in the spring. A feature of the animals of this group is that their coat does not shed. However, it is also impossible to cut such lambs too early in the spring. After winter, the wool of representatives of fine-fleeced breeds becomes fragile. Therefore, farmers usually waituntil grease accumulates in the "fur coat" of animals.

How to shear sheep: the order of the procedure

They start shearing sheep on farms, usually with lower-class flocks. This is necessary in order for the people responsible for this procedure to “train their hand” and remove the wool from the best sheep with the highest quality.

Secondly on farms, in most cases, winter broodstock are sheared. After that, they switch to spring queens and last year's young. The last thing on the farms is shearing valukhs and rams-producers.

Preparation of animals

Shear sheep, according to technology, only dry wool is allowed. Therefore, if the animals are caught in the rain, the procedure is postponed until they are completely dry.

Immediately before shearing, sheep are transferred to pens and left there without food for 12-14 hours. Fed sheep, unfortunately, often develop intestinal volvulus after shearing.

The aged animals are brought to the procedure site the day before. Responsible persons should, among other things, ensure in advance that all necessary equipment is available at the haircutting station, as well as disinfectants.

What tools are used

Both coarse-wooled and fine-fleeced sheep can be sheared using:

• big scissors;
• specialcars.

At the point of the procedure, special wooden floorings are equipped. Next, consider how to shear sheep correctly with a machine and scissors. In both of these cases, it will not be too difficult to remove the hair in the animal. However, the technology of the haircut procedure, of course, must be followed exactly.

Shears for removing wool from sheep are usually used in small private farms. With the help of clippers, animals are sheared on large and medium-sized farms. The answer to the question of how to properly shear sheep with an electric clipper and scissors is almost the same technology. However, there are still some nuances in the procedure in either case.

Sequence of operation

The answer to the question of how to shear sheep with a machine correctly is the following technology:

• the animal is placed on its left side with its back to itself;
• clean wool from large litter;
• cut the rump, around the udder, inside thighs, front and hind legs;
• put wool aside;
• cut a strip on the stomach and groin in the direction from the right back to the right front leg;
• longitudinal movements from the udder to the chest expose the stomach;
• turn the sheep over with its belly towards them and put it on its right side;
• stretch the hind leg and cut the croup, and then the left shoulder blade;
• with longitudinal movements remove hair from the waist,sides and withers;
• turn the sheep over again on its left side and shear it in the same order from the right outer side;
• shorn animal's back;
• removing hair from the head and right side of the neck;
• raise the head of the animal and cut it and the neck on the left side.

At the final stage, help the sheep to stand up and inspect it. All wounds that appear after cutting the wound are treated with a disinfectant liquid.

The answer to the question of how to shear sheep with scissors is about the same technology. But in this case, the procedure must be carried out with an assistant who must hold the animal. After all, with scissors, unlike a typewriter, it is very easy to injure a sheep or a ram.

Processing and storage of wool

So, we figured out how to shear sheep correctly. The procedure is simple, but its order must be observed exactly. But how do farms process and store wool? The material sheared into sheep is first folded onto a tarpaulin, removed from it manually and by shaking the rubbish and weighed. Next, the wool is sorted, separating the low-quality wool - quilt, rump, etc. After that, they start washing the material.

To do this, first prepare a solution in the proportion of 100 g of soap and 50 g of soda per 6 liters of hot water. The resulting composition is diluted with another 8 liters of water and poured into a barrel. Wash the wool, replacing the working solution, three times. The material is then rinsed in clean water. The washed wool is wrung out and laid out to dry naturally.

The finished material is subsequently laid out usually in bags without pressing. Next, the wool is transported to storage in dry, cool rooms.