The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Brucklay on February 28, 2012, 08:52:33 pm
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I realise this is a bit early but you know how time flies - I would like to hand shear my Shetlands this year and would really appreciate a lesson - if anyone out there needs a hand for a day for their knowledge would be great - thank you
PS Thinking earlier than later as I would like to show a few later in the year :) :)
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Im probably too far (Aboyne) and also dont tend to shear until early July ish and Im not sure Im very good but you are more than welcome to come over if you dont get a better offer!
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Thank you Lachlanandmarcus - I would love to come over to see your artistry. July is a wee bit late for me but if I don't manage to find an earlier lesson I would gladly drive over.
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And I expect we are too far south, in South Lanarkshire. We generally start hand shearing with a few tups in mid-May and carry on until they are all done by late June/early July, just a few each day. If you ever have to head south down the west side (J 13 M74) you will drive not far from us, so you are welcome to stop by for a lesson. We even have one Shetland left :sheep: but mostly Hebrideans.
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Hows zip? Well I hope. If you like i can come and knock the wool off a few woolies for you or give you tips while you clip if you prefer. I've got a a set of battery operated clippers so it doesn't take ages and ages!
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Hi Dougal - Zip is now a mad teenager - 99% obedient to the whistle unless a goat kid is dancing outside his kennel driving him crazy - he so want to play with them but he's just a bit big for the wee kids - the cat on the other hand gives as good as he gets!!! Once though kidding and lambing I'm going to start working him with the sheep - he seems to have sussed out the friendly ones - he touches noses with them and the 'nasty' ones that give him an evil look!! - It's not a case of me doing someone out of a job, it's just as they are wee and pretty tame I hope to do a few a week (in a sunny spell) and not have to rely on calling anyone in - so if you'd like to pop by- I can do a nice lunch and a couple ££- I was thinking doing by hand and taking forever - but I will accept any advice - hoping to show a couple of the Shetlands and the castlemilks so didn't want them totally naked!!
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I naively bought hand shears when I got my Heb flock, but am far too frightened to use them, they're so sharp and the wool is so woolly...... Terrifying! Good luck, keep us posted! :)
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I have to say I dont blame you with the Hebs because I find it a LOT more difficult to hand shear black sheep. Much harder to see the wool/skin join and also I dont find they rise as much/as clearly.
I always do our black ones (we have a couple) in the middle of shearing, after Ive got back in the swing and before Ive got tired and maybe more likely to make little errors.
They are lovely tho!