The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Hazelwood Flock on April 30, 2012, 10:27:24 pm
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Any shearers out there, I am planning to have a crack at shearing some of my Greyface Dartmoors.....but.....I use a Heiniger clip on battery, motor in handpiece clipper to do them. How many cutters/combs will I need to do about 20 adults and 20 odd lambs?
Ta muchly in anticipation! :thumbsup:
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I use the same bit of kit, I watched you tube to figure out how to do them.
Not quite up to Philip the Singing Shearer standard but they get done.
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Hi,
You will need more combs and cutters if you are on sandy ground, Greyface Dartmoor wool actually blunts combs quite fast.
For 20 sheep I would think you will need 3 combs and 6 cutters at the most, it always pays to have too many.
One thing I will say is on my shearing machine I have a safety clutch for stopping the handpiece if barbed wire or something blocks the cutter, Greyface Dartmoor wool is the only thing that has caused it to slip.
Hope this helps,
Thanks,
Philip :sheep:
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Last year our GFDs lambed in January - not something I ever want to repeat - and were sheared in mid-May by which time the lambs needed shearing as well (April was hot n'dry last year). Our shearer did a dozen sheep and lambs in about 40 minutes and I reckon he changed cutters once.
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That's a mountain of a task you are taking on Hazelwood!!
Best of luck, I hope it goes well and you are able to stand up straight afterwards :thumbsup:
Out of interest, what do you do about shearing the sheep and lambs you are showing in June?
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Last year our GFDs lambed in January - not something I ever want to repeat - and were sheared in mid-May by which time the lambs needed shearing as well (April was hot n'dry last year). Our shearer did a dozen sheep and lambs in about 40 minutes and I reckon he changed cutters once.
Wow! That's really quick for GFD's. Our shearer is slow and steady but I would far rather he is like that than rush the job and inadvertently cut the sheep in the process. I know GFD's are a pain to shear and I don't mind paying a bit extra for the shearer to take his time if it means that the sheep don't get nicked in the process.
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He's a "local" New Zealander and something of a character with strong views on sheep which you are going to hear. But reliable and very capable. No blood was spilled, a marked contrast to the commercial cross we sheared ourselves. I guess the first thousand you shear are the hardest but my back ain't up to it..
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Impressive - does he venture up Derbyshire way?
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I usually shear the show team after the Royal Bath & West (beginning of june) by hand, leaving a little on (not too much or it grows back awful). My first show of the summer is mid july, and they are nicely woolled by then. I usually have the main flock sheared about now including lambs, but the weather is so catchy i'm going to start with the rams & shearling ewes (13 sheep) and hope the weather settles to get the shearer in for the ewes and lambs. If not, I will do them a few at a time when the weather allows.....not looking forward to the collection of brambles some of them are sporting though! Thanks for the cutter/comb info Phillip, i've got 2 combs & 4 cutters so will get a few more :)
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I usually shear the show team after the Royal Bath & West (beginning of june) by hand, leaving a little on (not too much or it grows back awful). My first show of the summer is mid july, and they are nicely woolled by then. I usually have the main flock sheared about now including lambs
So what would your advice be for shearing adults & lambs for shows in mid-June - I'm considering possibly doing the Cheshire Show 19th/20th June.
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Ignore that last request - I've just read the schedule and it says the sheep are to be shown shorn.
I can't believe the entry fee - £9! I think I'll reconsider.....
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Impressive - does he venture up Derbyshire way?
I think he's a local phenomenon.
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I usually shear the show team after the Royal Bath & West (beginning of june) by hand,
I live within walking distance! If you fancy a cuppa and a bbq for tea you are more than welcome to pop over away from the madness when you are there :thumbsup:
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Haylo, I would shear asap for that show.
Colliewoman, do you visit the show? pop by the sheep lines and say hi! Thanks for the offer of a cuppa....it does get mad at times!
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If I can I go every year and have done since a child :wave:
I used to help my friend show her sheep there too ;D
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Ignore that last request - I've just read the schedule and it says the sheep are to be shown shorn.
I can't believe the entry fee - £9! I think I'll reconsider.....
Hi Haylo-peapod :wave:
I show at some of my local shows and here ,The bigger shows normally send on prize money after the show and also REFUND all your class entry money ,so don`t be put off by the price of the entry fee it may well be returned!
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The bigger shows normally send on prize money after the show and also REFUND all your class entry money ,so don`t be put off by the price of the entry fee it may well be returned!
Thanks for that Tilly, I'll have to check to see what they do at Cheshire. I'd like to get to a few shows this year but am not prepared to forfeit £9 per entry when the competition that's likely to be there means I'm unlikely to get placed.