The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Twotwo on February 12, 2019, 10:58:33 am
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As I’m hoping to go to a show at the end of May .... I probably should get the showing team shorn soon but I don’t have much room under cover as lambing in three weeks.
Do you shear and keep in at night - put coats on and put out or just chuck them out in a few days - what do showing folk recommend.
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Depends on the weather. Ours have purpose made water proof coats with fleece lining and a shelter. I only keep shut them in if it is extreme ( i.e last weeks winds) otherwise they can chose in or out themselves.
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If you are showing breeds which have a good rise in the fleece, such as Shetlands, and Hebrideans, then you can shear them much later. It is easiest to use hand shears and to cut through the rise. This leaves a nice clean surface with a couple of inches of wool still on the animal. This way the animals don't need to suffer any cold shock. Usually people are showing only a couple of sheep, so the hand shearing is not too onerous. Check before you shear that the breed you intend to show is not supposed to be in full fleece. For example Hebridean ewes (and I think also Shetlands) at the The Royal Highland Show must be in full fleece. This is because in the Scottish climate, shearing a ewe with lambs then exposing her to months of icy weather is a welfare issue. On the other hand, sometimes by the time the show comes around, the poor animals are sweltering in a Spring heatwave.