The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: andywalt on May 05, 2011, 07:25:30 pm
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Well after speaking to some locals shetlands are a little harder to shear early in the season as the wool hasnt lifted?? so Im told, I hope this is true because it took me about an hour each to shear them, no cuts but the fleece came off in 1001 peices for each sheep !! have a look and a laugh, omg it was alot harder than I thought it would be, singing shearer all respect !!
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Hi Andy,
Great job for a first attempt!! I have seen professional shearers do a worse job on sticky sheep.
While I was learning it took me an hour to shear a very large longwool, but gladly now most sheep average out at two minutes, You will be shearing other people's sheep next ;D.
Thanks,
Philip :sheep:
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cheers for the compliment, but your term sticky sheep??? can you explain please?
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Hi Andy,
By sticky sheep I mean that the lanolin is still quite solid and on the skin, most sheep fleece is starting to rise now although if they are in the cold wind they soon go sticky again.
If they are really bad then it can be like trying to cut through toffee which can be the cause of minor cuts, I have been shearing with a type of comb that is only recommended for hard shearing merino sheep but they are some of the best combs I have for early shearing.
Thanks,
Philip :sheep:
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I found it very hard, I couldnt get a sweep with the shears like you see the professions do , they didnt want to cut through easily the shears seem to snag in the fleece all the time, so found my self going back and forth slowly, my southdown is really shedding his fleece, so on the weekend im hoping that with the "rise" and not so course hair, it will be easier and quicker !!!
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Hi Andy,
Just out of interest what combs are you using?
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well thats a good question, will it make you laugh if I say the combs that came with the shears !!! thats about the extent of my knowledge, I brought these ones..
http://www.farmcareuk.com/shop/product/heiniger/heiniger-12volt-sheep-shearer (http://www.farmcareuk.com/shop/product/heiniger/heiniger-12volt-sheep-shearer)
any advice for me?
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Hi Andy,
The combs are probably these http://www.hornershearing.com/acatalog/heiniger-ovina.html (http://www.hornershearing.com/acatalog/heiniger-ovina.html) They have a slightly sharper point(medium bevel) than some which will help so if you are having trouble with them it is more than likely the sheep rather than the shears. Although you might need to change the cutter if you haven't already and if it has been running for a long time then the comb probably needs changing too.
Hope this helps and doesn't confuse you too much,
Thanks,
Philip :sheep:
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so how often do they need changing? and do I have to send them off for sharpening? I kept putting the oil on would you need to change after a couple of sheep?
thanks for your help
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Hi Andy,
I was shearing a couple of days ago and I managed 60 sheep to a comb and 20 to a cutter but they were taking around one and a half to two minutes to do. I would say start with a new comb and cutter and when the shears start to struggle then change the cutter, you can usually get 3 cutters to the comb before the comb is blunt. When the comb is blunt then change to a new set again.
To get the combs sharpened you can contact Horner shearing and send them off by post, I do my own as I have a grinder now.
Thanks,
Philip :sheep:
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thanks for the tips, I got a spare set in the box, I better order up some more as back up altho I wont be doing the bulk of them myself, but I want to do the smaller ones. I see you have made it to essex now, where are you off to next?
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Hi Andy,
Hopefully we will get to Devon soon also Somerset and Wiltshire, then we have go to get to Scotland soon after and most people need asap due to flystrike so I am having to put such cases first.
Thanks,
Philip :sheep:
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we have had a couple of cases of flystrike and I just had to treat them with crovect straight away, from your perspective what happens if a flock has been treated do you still shear them?
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Doesnt look too bad - they all still have four legs ;D
British Wool Marketing Board run shearing courses, you know. If you have more than 4 sheep, you should be registered with them anyway.
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I should register? I better give them a call then....
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Hi Andy,
Yes if you (or your shearer) are happy to shear them then get them done, I have never left sheep unshorn just because they have been treated.
Also you are doing ok anyway so I wouldn't wast my money on a wool board course, if you need any advice then I am always happy to help.
Thanks,
Philip :sheep:
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your a perfect gentleman, will you skirt into kent before you head west? if so it might be good to come and watch you even tho ive been watching your videos !!
Ive ordered 5 more combs the general farm ones i think they called them they have wider combs, see how i get one, this evening I am going to try my southdown tup as his wool is actually falling off so should be easier, and ill work out how to change the cutter,also i have to remember his man hood is there and not snip it off!!!
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And remember that blinking artery they have on the belly up from the manhood and the tube from manhood to testes.
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Nothing planned in Kent but you could always ask Dixie if she minds you coming up to watch when I shear hers in Essex on Monday. Although that might be a bit far for you.
Good luck with the Southdown.
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I'm seriously impressed. I"m also new to this with my little flock of 10 yearling Hebrideans. Just wanted to ask if it is usual for them to moult? Ours look dreadful at the moment, what's coming through under the wool which is being lost looks fantastic albeit a bit like a labradoodle. I'm a bit upset at all the wool which is being shed round the paddock. Should I have them sheared? (shorn?)
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Thanks for the tip with the British wool marketing board.
Loads of courses round our way.
Hoping to go no one next month.
:D :D
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Hi Dizzycow,
Yes you could shear them or if you are very lucky they might shed it all and not need shearing, other than that if they are tame then you could try rooing them.
Suziequeue,
You are lucky, whenever I tried to get on one for the past two years they have all either been fully booked, cancelled or too far away. I've managed to book myself in on one this year but it's at an inconvenient time in the season as I'm so busy. Hopefully it will do me some good and speed up my shearing so I can get more jobs done.
Thanks,
Philip :sheep:
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Rooing? Philip, you seem to be a very busy chap. Any time you're near Dunfermline let me know. Vikki 07988875809. Thanks for the advice - shearing will be required....!
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I cant make Monday Philip unfortunatly, I would have come if I could, I have a client to see, I sheared the southdown tup tonight, it was his first time too which I dont think helps either, he gave up struggling in the end tho, I had to leave some of his head, Id had enough after 40mins, I hope you all having a laugh...especially phil, when he can shear one in a minute, I changed the cutter but I think the comb was blunt too, it wasnt easy going..so I will do another when I get my new combs in the post. have a look at the photo....have a giggle on me !!!
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We roo our ones for the show. Shetlands do not NEED shearing you can pluck them free! I dont know about other breeds but Shetlands shed their fleece naturally and when it rises you just pluck it off. It leave what they call 'yellow' a lamb like fleece underneath which grows in perfect length for shows in late summer.Many a rooing video on google.
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I'm struggling to catch the Hebrideans! I'd like to pull their wool off, quite satisfying.
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Hi Andy,
You see 40mins not an hour I told you it would get easier ;D. Don't worry about Monday as it looks like it is going to be a busy day so wouldn't have much time for talking anyway.
Hermit,
Some Shetlands I go to don't shed that much so rooing wouldn't work and they need shearing.
Thanks,
Philip :sheep:
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hi dizzycow i am exactly the same with my hebs they just giggle and put a spurt of speed on and are off ! I too have clumps of wool everywhere shearing needed asap just waiting for the farmer next door to get his done and we are tagging along with ours.
lets hope it is soon !
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I have a friend who is interested in learning how to spin the wool, but it's a real mess. The wool on the sheep as well as on the ground. Seems awful to waste it though. What will you do with yours, Goodlifer?
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heh dizzycow we dont want to waste it either we have a contact in the village who may use it if it comes off looking all right !
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I remember on Grand Designs (I think) someone insulated their roof with sheep's wool they had picked off fields. Genius.
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Phillip
next year I will book you for the day and we can have a pub lunch at the local, I would have prob about 28 plus 8 shearlings plus a v large Romney,as large as that monster on your website, what do you travel around in? a camper van? or do you book local B&Bs?
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another question phil or if anyone else can answer please, if you have no buildings or cover, what happens if its been raining before you want to shear? I have heard you cant shear them when there fleece is wet? is this true?
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Thanks for starting up this thread Andy, good info.
You got the same clippers as me (my turn this year to shear for first time), came with spare set luckily so was glad to read this thread.
How tricky was it shearing around flystrike area?
Hope someone will reply to your question re wet shearing...........
:sheep:
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I havnt had to shear one yet that has previously had flystrike ! when they get flystrike i only use the hand clippers to clear the whole area, but I dont think your asking that, I imagine you just have to be very careful, like shearing around the boys manhood and balls,....if you clip a good margin with the hand clippers you wouldnt have to get that close with the electric shears.
still waiting to hear if you can shear a damp sheep? any answers anyone?
andy ;D :D :sheep:
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YES but youll get wet ,then you have to hang the fleece to dry before bagging or it can rot
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ok thanks for that, hanging it to dry !! Im not at that stage I will need a 1000 pegs and a massive drying line hopefully soon I get get some larger pieces of in one go !! ;D ;D ;D
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Thanks Ohlala, yes its a good subject to discuss when trying for first time, hopefully we will look back in ayear and giggle !!
I am waiting for some other combs and cutters to arrive before I have another go, Ive done 3 now and have been amased how awkward and difficult it has been, but the combs sent with my shears say good for general dagging and crutching and Im sure that they are blunt as Im not having a good time with smooth sweeps as its just not happened yet. so hoping for easier time with sharper equipement, and will just practice on the small ones I have.
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ok thanks for that, hanging it to dry !! Im not at that stage I will need a 1000 pegs and a massive drying line hopefully soon I get get some larger pieces of in one go !! ;D ;D ;D
Andy, I thought this was sooo funny. God knows why I am laughing though when I finally get my smallholding I know I am going to be in the same boat. ;D ;D ;D
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;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)
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where are you based Bionic??
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Good question Andy.
My home, which I am trying to sell at present, is near Ringwood, Hampshire. However I am currently in Delaware USA working for 6 months. I am taking my redundancy at the end of this stint.
The hope is that my home will sell before I return so that I can buy a smallholding. We are currently looking for something in Camarthenshire/Pembrokeshire.
Sally
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I wish you all the best for that, let us know how your getting on, its a bit colder up there but better priced property I expect !!
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Hi,
Sorry for the late reply I have been out shearing all day and have only just got back.
Yes you can shear damp sheep, whereas wet sheep are a bit more difficult. There is a bit more risk of grease boils which I have never had but I am sure that they are not pleasant and as has been said above the fleece will need drying. It is all down to the person shearing more than anything, if you are happy to shear them wet then do so but if you are using a motor in handpiece then remember that the air intake is below and can suck moisture in and electricity and water don't really mix!
Also anyone needing combs and cutters sharpening I can do this for a small charge plus postage, contact for details.
Thanks and hope this helps,
Philip :sheep:
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thats great phillip
but how can you sharpen the combs and cutters when you are constantly on the move? how do you travel around?
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At the moment I'm travelling in my dad's big white van. I do have a corsa van myself but at the moment it's at the garage waiting for repairs, it's been there a few weeks now.
I can sharpen in the evenings on days when I've only done small or local jobs.
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Well I sheared my last ewe yesterday and have to say the Jakoti hand shears are absolutely brilliant and I managed to do the easier risen fleeces in 25 minutes. Huge word of warning as Philip said elsewhere, these are self-sharpening and VERY VERY sharp so great care needed as even easier to nick the skin than with the electric ones. Well worth the £20 although I have blisters now after doing 4 within 24 hours!
I had a couple of sticky ones and they still took me 45 mins to 1 hour as had to go very slow to get an average finish.
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I am chearing to the fact that someone else takes 40 mins to shear, but they are hand shears and that takes alot longer than electric !! ;) ;) I have another 3 small shetlands to practice on and a polled dorset, so hoping that the new combs arrive soon.
andy
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And remember that blinking artery they have on the belly up from the manhood and the tube from manhood to testes.
Err, would that be 'tuphood'? ;)
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;D ;D ;D ;D :D :D ;) ;) ;)