The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Sally22 on July 16, 2022, 10:40:13 am
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I have been left without my sheep shearer suddenly! He was called away to work in Scotland. I have 3 hebridian sheep and my neighbour has 2 so we are desperately looking for someone to help us out.
Thank you.
Judith
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Sally, stating your location might help
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I have been left without my sheep shearer suddenly! He was called away to work in Scotland. I have 3 hebridian sheep and my neighbour has 2 so we are desperately looking for someone to help us out. Cheshire/Wirral based.
Thank you.
Judith
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Judith, I've done mine with a largish pair of scissors before now, tied up to gate and started along back then worked down sides. Fleece should have risen, so you just work through that new growth, keeping blades flat to skin. I like to see the blade through the fleece so take less than a shearer would, but knowing I'm clear from skin.
Had some shears given which makes it a bit easier, but still takes time. :)
I've just been reading on FB of someone who hasn't sheared yet, she says the fleece actually keeps them cooler, that's OK if you aren't worried about flystrike.
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One of my Soays hasn't shed yet, apart from (conveniently) a patch round her tail so her bum is clean! I have to say she looks far more comfortable wearing a full woolly coat than all the others that have shed!!
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One thing I've discovered I like with the Wiltshires. Saying that, Hebe was going around with a Mohawk and dregs down her back legs and no amount of bribery would work. She would brace herself, snatch the grub and just when I was about to grab a handful, she scarpered. When I got the cattle in for the TB test, got the sheep in too, cornered her, grabbed! 2 weeks later, she still looks at me with disgust BUT she will eat out of my hand again!
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One thing I've discovered I like with the Wiltshires. Saying that, Hebe was going around with a Mohawk and dregs down her back legs and no amount of bribery would work.
I had one that I abandoned, heat/time, MIDGES!, so she was wandering round wearing a 'tutu' for a few weeks. Tidied up now. ;D
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One thing I've discovered I like with the Wiltshires. Saying that, Hebe was going around with a Mohawk and dregs down her back legs and no amount of bribery would work.
I had one that I abandoned, heat/time, MIDGES!, so she was wandering round wearing a 'tutu' for a few weeks. Tidied up now. ;D
I reckon she was doing it to prove she's an ockered individual. Her twin sister shed as a lamb last year but Hebe and Hazel (a half sister) didnt. Hazel shed this year no problem but Hebe..... She must have been determined to hold onto the fleece. All the ewes shed, but NOT her. Wizzy shed months ago and to go out and find fleece bits everywhere, actually made me think there had been an attack. I've since watched them shake like the dogs when wet and it fly off! It's an experience and a sight when you've never had shedders before.
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I have the same, Ivy shed nicely, just pulled a little bit out, sister Ivana stayed full fleeced until I did the deed. Their sister from 2 years earlier has the most horrible fleece ever, can't get the hand shears under it, shortish, curly, wiry, no rise. And she gets strike EVERY year. Had to get a friend with electric to get it off before any problems this year.
As I hate her horns and she's a bully. She's going asap!