[Dizzycow]

I remember on Grand Designs (I think) someone insulated their roof with sheep's wool they had picked off fields. Genius.

[andywalt]

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?

[andywalt]

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?

[OhLaLa]

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...........

 

[andywalt]

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 

[shep53]

YES but youll get wet ,then you have to hang the fleece to dry before bagging or it can rot

[andywalt]

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 !!

[andywalt]

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.

[Bionic]

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 !!

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. 

[andywalt]

 

[andywalt]

where are you based Bionic??

[Bionic]

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

[andywalt]

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 !!

[SingingShearer]

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  

[andywalt]

thats great phillip

but how can you sharpen the combs and cutters when you are constantly on the move? how do you travel around?