The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: jack on July 03, 2010, 10:33:04 pm

Title: To shear or not to shear that is the question . . . .
Post by: jack on July 03, 2010, 10:33:04 pm

My pet lamb is about 5 months old do I need to have him sheared as he is quite wooly or can I leave him until next summer for the first sheering.

Title: Re: To shear or not to shear that is the question . . . .
Post by: Pony-n-trap on July 04, 2010, 11:04:08 am

I think first shears are done when they are a year old (shearling)

Title: Re: To shear or not to shear that is the question . . . .
Post by: Rosemary on July 04, 2010, 05:20:08 pm

Most lambs born this year won't be shorn until next year.  I suppose if he's very hot and uncomfortable and you have good shelter for the winter, it woudl do no harm to shear him.

Title: Re: To shear or not to shear that is the question . . . .
Post by: belgianblue on July 04, 2010, 07:51:48 pm

you never sheer an first year born lamb, they require there fleece for the winter, you can sheer it the following year

Title: Re: To shear or not to shear that is the question . . . .
Post by: jack on July 05, 2010, 04:54:23 pm

Thank you for the great advie people and I will not as you suggest get him sheared
this year, as you say will be better with it for the winter and that is not that far away.
Many thanks for your replies.