The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: andywalt on September 19, 2010, 06:55:26 pm
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Next year I will do a shearing course at Hadlow collage so I can shear my own forthcoming sheep, are "lister clippers" good for the job? the best tool? are they adequate for the job? can they be maintained well? what do you guys use if you shear your own sheep? Look forward to your answers
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Hi,
Every shearer you speak to will have their preferred brand of clippers, there are so many different types and so many different blade combinations.
To see what is available have a look at the cox-agri brochure, which is downloadable here: https://www.suppliesforsmallholders.co.uk/shearing-brochure-p-112.html (https://www.suppliesforsmallholders.co.uk/shearing-brochure-p-112.html) Cox dont supply direct to farms, so if you want a price on any of it then let us know.
Thanks
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well I really would like to know what shearing tool you guys like to use, it would be good to have some info before i buy some.
cheers
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We use hand blades Andy. Takes OH about 7 mins to shear a sheep that way, with no fuss, palaver or noise and stress. He learned with electric shears but now far prefers the hand blades.
Shouldn't you wait until you have done your shearing course before you go out and buy such an expensive item? That way you will have some idea of what features you are looking for. It's an excellent idea to learn to shear yourself.
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sure I will wait but sometimes better to buy out of season as you get better prices,...
has anyone heard of Macford Sheers...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Professional-Sheep-Clippers-320W-Power-Shears-2400rpm-/160472046654?pt=UK_BOI_FarmingEquipment_RL&hash=item255ce11c3e
any advise?
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Hi Fleece wife 7mins is impressive. do you have a photo of the type or model?
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Hi Kanisha - that's for Hebrideans. Huge things with pounds and pounds of thick fleece take much longer :) I can do easy Shetlands in about 15 mins but I rarely shear as OH is so good at it ;)
I'll get him to post a pic tomorrow (I don't do computers very well :-[ )
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I'm imagining how quick I could do my ouessants ;D
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Well, our Soays take just a couple of minutes ;D but they roo their wool naturally so there is a big rise which the shears slip through very easily. I prefer them to be shorn as rooing takes away every last bit of wool so they are cold for ages. Funnily enough the Soays are a bit of extra strain to shear because they are so small and you have to stretch right down all the time - old creaky fogey speaking :D
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This old creaky fogey does her ouessants sitting on a low foot stool no more bad backs for me ;D
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On a stool
thats a good tip x x
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(http://)
This is an attempt to send a pic of OH shearing - hope it comes through ok. It does show the blades he uses but if you want a close-up I will have to go and do some photography. That pair are Burgon & Ball, who do various models. Really the only way to choose hand shears is to go and try them. I find, having small hands compared to a man, that I need shears with a very light spring action, otherwise my hands give out before the sheep is shorn. Also if the spring is very strong there is the temptation to hold the shears too far along the blade, which leads to a poor cutting action ie too many little clips using just the tips.
The humpled creep in the picture is a Hebridean - can't see exactly who - and OH is doing the 'long blows' along one flank. He uses the same pattern of shearing as for electric clippers, although hand shearers have a variety of patterns.
Unfortunately for us the sitting on a stool option doesn't seem to work, but sitting the sheep on a straw bale has worked for me sometimes.
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The clippers with the motor in the hand peice are more for cattle. The are too heavy and clumsy for clipping a lot of sheep. The proper gear is a motor tat hangs up with a flexy shaft going to a light weight hand peice. The set up new is about £600 and on ebay they go for about £300 second hand and well used. In my opinion it is better to get the shearer in. Mine charges 90p a sheep
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wow Im very impressed with shearing with the hand clippers he must have some hand muscles to boast of..... your OH must be fit...
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We use Lister clippers, we have interchangable heads, one for sheep and one for the horse
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The choice of hand shears is endless, small, Large, offset, single-bow, double bow etc.
We sell over 18 different variations - depends what feels right in your hand.
If going for hand shears make sure you have a stone to keep them sharp - and also oil well when not in use!
On power clippers, agreed the overhead ones are the best for dealing with any quantity of sheep, but for a few sheep there are electric models - both 12 & 240V that will do the job - you may just get more aches in your hand than with an overhead version.
My advice would be to either get in a travelling shearer, or if you are determined to do it yourself then buy the best that your budget will allow so that it will last.
Oh and then dont forget to save a few quid for :
1 ) A tube of superglue
2) Some of this : https://www.suppliesforsmallholders.co.uk/traumastypt-stops-bleeding-p-1462.html
Thanks
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It's not essential to cut the sheep when shearing ;D The main reason that we turned to handshearing is that it is so calm, no rush, no noise, no crowds, so plenty of time to do the shearing well and avoid injuring the sheep. With the whole of June to get the shearing done and a small flock (we usually shear about 50 or so) you can afford to take the time and do it properly. With hand shears you can feel if you have got it wrong and are about to cut the skin and stop in time - with electric shears there is no immediate feedback. But if you do cut the skin, then superglue is great - it was developed as an instant wound closure and still does the job well.