Shearing

[Wendy]

Can anyone help me - I need my sheep sheared and there is no one in this area (that I can find) that does it.  We talked to neighbors who used to have sheep - they gave us a name but this guy doesn't come to this area anymore.   We asked the feed elevator - they gave us a name of a sheep owner and his shearer  is a grain farmer who only comes down in this area (he lives a couple hours away) when it rains.   He calls the sheep owner when he will be down.  Since we only have 3 head + 3 babies we were going to take ours to the sheep owners' place when the shearer came.  As of over a month later we have not gotten a call and it has been raining for 3 days.

So does any one know of a book or something that is good about showing how to shear?    My husband is very willing to do it himself - we just don't know how and it has been over 15 yrs since he seen it done.  I would of liked to watch it done - before we tried it ourselves.  I don't want to hurt them.   Is it hard to do?

Can anyone give us some advice on how to do it ourselves?

Thanks

[Rock Springs Ranch]

Wendy, finding a shearer is so frustrating, isn't it?  All our sheep are being sheared this next week by RJ Wilder who comes from Montana.  He comes to California once a year... I couldnt find anybody to do a large flock, except RJ,  the two others around here do one or two nd shear by hand with handshears! $40.00 a head....

Yes, call your local agriculture extension agent and ask to check out their video on shearing, every office should have one.  A friend bought a set of videos too, i'll ask her where.

[Wendy]

wow - $40.00 per head - that's high - Isn't it?   I think they said the shearers do it for like $3 or $5 per head here.  I don't know if that's by hand or if it's with 'clippers'.  I'm assuming the 'clippers'.

Okay I'll check out the extention office.

I've searched online but can't really find anything.  I did find a book 'Shearing Day' by Kevin Ford.   but don't know how good it is on showing how to shear.  I hate to spend the money on something like that without knowing whats in it.  (I've done that  with horse books - and then been disappointed when got the book).

Thanks

[Rock Springs Ranch]

Yes, $40.oo is CRAZY!  Can you imagine?  He says he only does backyard pets by the 1 or two,  and he uses hand shears :shock:  
Shearers usually wont come for just a few so I guess that is how he can charge that price ( and shearers can have a $50.00 set up fee )

If it is not for show, I would slick shear right tight to the skin.  They might have a video about how to slick shear...it would be a 4H video, most likely..that would be another great place to call...my son slick shears his market lambs and I know they have videos and could also tell you who the market lamb project leader is...they might let you join them during their shearing classes for you to observe....weigh in for our lambs for fair is next week ( to make sure they will make weight) so the children are in full swing of their projects and should be having many of these classes...I would try them and see.

[Rock Springs Ranch]

Shearing Techniques with Fiona Nettleton - information about sheep shearing
As sheep shearing videos go, "Shearing Techniques with Fiona Nettleton" has been considered among the top sheep shearing videos to have ever been made.

Fiona won the 1988 Golden Shears Junior Championship in New Zealand winning on quality of work.

Our sheep shearing video was one of our earlier programs and over the years it has been used to help hundreds of would-be shearers to start out with this craft of shearing.

The actual techniques are explained in detail in this 100 minute program.

[Rock Springs Ranch]

Strong demand has prompted Doug Rathke to put together an instructional sheep shearing called "Sheep Shearing Made Easy". This video is designed both for the beginner and for those who have already been shearing and are interested in improving their shearing technique to increase speed and efficiency of the job and to minimize stress to the animal.

This 90 minute "how-to" video takes the viewer step by step through the basics of shearing including preparing for shearing, shearing clothing, fitness, understanding and appreciation of shearing gear, selecting combs and cutters, setting up a hand piece, and setting the shearing work area.

[Rock Springs Ranch]

www.ruralroutevideos.com

www.shearingworld.com

[jacki b]

I am in the same boat, I have one sheep that needs sheered, I live in Charlotte, NC and need to find someone to sheer my babydoll sheep.  I am willing to drive to take him to someones farm (he rides in the back of our SUV so probably any longer than an hour drive would be a bit far).  If anyone can help I would really appreciate it.  Here is a picture after a bath.  Thanks.
Jacki

[Wendy]

Thanks Rock Springs - I will check out those sites and videos.  

I had ordered a book from a site that was supposed to cover shearing - yeah right - I couldn't find anywhere about shearing and it just gave some books to check out at the library. And that costs to much (since we don't live in city limits)  -  (It was a homeschooling book - I've never seen one before - I guess that's what they are all like - just kinda give you an outline of what to homeschool)  Anyways it didn't help any.  

It was NOT that book by Kevin Ford I had talked about earlier - it was something different.

Sorry it took so long to respond - We are having phone problems and it is very hard to get on here - and stay on.  Supposed to be fixed today.

Thanks again  and I'll look into those videos.

[Rock Springs Ranch]

Your welcome Wendy, sorry the book didnt turn out to be helpful...I really think the best step first is the local 4H office and any of your 4H market lamb project leaders...they certainly know who shears, all their sheep need to be sheared for their shows....

[Rock Springs Ranch]

Jacki, what an adorable babydoll!  so cute!  I would also call the 4H office, they would know a leader close to you who could tell you who shears...

[rinestonegoat]

Since I can't get in touch with my shearer (he isn't returning my phone calls) and I am deathy afraid that one of my sheep is going to kill over with heat exhaustion, I have also decided to attempt to shear them...The way I see it, even if it isn't perfect, as long as that fleece is off of them, they will be okay ....
So I have the Oster Shearmaster, what blade is best for shearing?
Jill, if I figure this out, I can do your too...

[Sinorejas]

Sorry I can't help y'all out but just wanted to wish all of you luck.  It takes guts to try to do something like that yourself, but you gotta do what you gotta do!

Jacki b, that babydoll sheep is an "AWWWWW!!"  How cute!!!!!!! :D