[hexhammeasure]

After 10 years our shearer has done the worst thing possible....




retired!

So now I have to clip our suffolks again with the hand shears and the old electric shears

did the Tups first to get my eye in.... OHHH my back

Hoggs next!

[Rosemary]

I have to get someone to do ours. No-one wants to do small numbers.

[countrygirlatheart]

my vet gave me a contact number .... might be worth asking ?  Or are there any flock owners around who show as some of them shear their own and might be willing to do a couple.  The shearer recommended by the vet came last night just after 9pm. Several extension leads to the field and soon the deed was done.  He did a good job and wasn't rough with the sheep. Having had the two show gimmers done by a showing friend earlier in the year I only had 3 and a half to do (having had a go on one with hand shears and giving up leaving her doing a lion impression!!!) He was happy to do that number.  Don't know if he would travel to you,  I could ask him.  Perhaps if there were a few of you in close vicinity to each other, or if you were able to go to one place.  I know that would be difficult for some, e.g. mine are MV accredited so couldn't take them to non-MV premises. 

[hexhammeasure]

I don't know anyone who would do just ones and two's I am trying to contact someone who May do a flock of my size (65 suffolks)but I think he will want a fixed fee rather than a £/ewe. Did a couple of hoggs today and I think my eye is getting better (or maybe the sheep were smaller therefore easier!!)

[MurmuringWheel]

If anyone gets desperate for a shearer, my brother is always willing to discuss your requirements. He is willing to travel almost anywhere but obviously has to cover transport costs. He also has a bit of a waiting list at the moment.

Thought it was still worth mentioning though.

Link is in my signature.

[countrygirlatheart]

Out of interest, what would you expect to pay to have a small flock of 4 sheep sheared ?

[Rollicker]

I've just paid 5 euros per head to have 4 ewes sheared!

I thought this was a fair price for such a small flock. It took him longer to set up his gear than it did to shear
them!!!

 

[MurmuringWheel]

I think, for local-ish flocks, Phil is charging £1.25 per sheep but has a minimum charge of £30

[BadgerFace]

I sheared one of my rams today. My back is not up to shearing my whole flock anymore. I only did Hamish the ram 'cos he had half shed his fleece and was looking like a sack of old carpet - now one cool dude !! Pro shearer due any day - we are on standby ! Like HFW we make a party of it - much cider and BBQ, one of the highlights of the smallholding year 

[VSS]

You should all learn to shear. The Wool Marketing Board run courses all over the UK and it doesn't take too much practice to become proficient enough to shear a small flock. http://www.britishwool.org.uk/coursedet.asp?pageid=59

If you learn to do it properly your back won't hurt either. It hurts because you are not using the right technique.

[BadgerFace]

You should all learn to shear. The Wool Marketing Board run courses all over the UK and it doesn't take too much practice to become proficient enough to shear a small flock. http://www.britishwool.org.uk/coursedet.asp?pageid=59

If you learn to do it properly your back won't hurt either. It hurts because you are not using the right technique.

No, my back hurts because of a horse riding injury many years ago  not because I can't shear properly !!

[VSS]

At least sheep keep you on the ground!

[countrygirlatheart]

I paid £25 for 4 ewes.  The shearer said just to pay him what I thought was fair (eek).  Was worried I hadn't paid him enough but if £30 is a minimum charge elsewhere then I'm not too far out.

VSS - thanks for the link re the shearing course.  I see there is an Ayrshire one which would suit me but unfortunately I wouldn't be able to get the time off work - its next Tues/Wed and I go back next Mon after 2 weeks off.  Maybe next year.

[hexhammeasure]

i have done a sheep shearing course. I too hurt my back in an accident. It also helps if you have the correct tools for the job. Horse clippers and hand shears are not the best tools to use.

[Lizt]

I just sheared my 5. Next day I felt it a bit - I used hand shears. The vet came today (FCO vaccinations) and complimented my work!
Liz