[sokel]

Took them from someone who is moving and can't take them
They have been used as lawnmowers but in the 2 years they have had them they have not been clipped. They have massive coats on them. So what do I do ?

[zarzar]

not 100% but could you find foal rugs that fit them in which case you could shear but very late in season, i went and sheared to for a friend of a friend whos hadnt been done for 2 year  and fleece was very heavy poor things were half size when done.

[SteveHants]

You can winter shear - it just makes them eat more.

[sokel]

I am just a bit concerned with the weather. We can and do quite often get snow for 5 months of the year and when we get snow we get a lot

[SallyintNorth]

If you have somewhere they can come in onto straw if the weather gets really bad, then someone who knows what they are doing would be able to winter clip them with hand-shears now - leaving an inch or more so they don't have no cover for the winter. 

If you want them tupped I think you will have to get some of that weight off them, it would be dangerous to be heavily pregnant and carrying that much fleece.  However if they are not being tupped this time, and if they will have to live out no matter what then I think I would be inclined to leave them until spring, but get the coats off them asap then.

Won't go off on one  about the numpties who kept animals as lawnmowers for two years without taking proper care of them.      Lucky sheep to be coming to an informed and caring home.

[tizaala]

If the coats are like that -what are their feet like ?.....makes you wonder sometimes..

[Tim W]

You could get them sheared with cover combs--these will leave a short coat on them which will sort them for the winter . But if it gets too cold in the next 2 months before any re growth then they may need shelter

Alternatively you could cash them in  at market

[SteveHants]

If the coats are like that -what are their feet like ?.....makes you wonder sometimes..

If they aint limping, their feet will be fine.


Cashing them in does sound like a good idea.

[lachlanandmarcus]

I would just get a pair of hand shears (about £12 online) and hack off the worst, this will leave them with plenty of coat and oils for the winter but they won't suffer from the excessive weight which could be dodgy in the snow drifts.


It wouldn't take long and they would be SOOO much more comfy.

[Foobar]

Yeah ditto that, I would hand shear them, then you can leave whatever amount you think will be sufficient for them for winter.  It will also help them get to know you .

[JulieWall]

I have actual experience of this. A few years back I was given a couple of Suffolk ewes by a neighbour which hadn't been clipped for 3 years. I hand clip mine so I thought I'll just see what the score is and deal with it. As the wool was already risen it came off with no more trouble than a one year coat but because there were 3 coats all meshed together the weigh of the wool actually made them easier to clip as it was heavier..... the wool crop was no use of course.
Your main problem with several coats of wool is that they may get overheated in the summer or get stuck on their backs and not be able to regain their feet. At this time of year they have absolutely no chance of re-growing a decent coat for the winter so don't clip them. No overcoat you could buy or make will have the same insulation properties of their own fleece and as they have been used to being toasty warm under their double coats they may well get pneumonia and drop dead within a day or two if you clip them now.
Leave them until summer but get them clipped in late May/early June depending on the weather. They'll probably leap around like spring lambs once relieved of the extra weight, mine did    They had a hair-cut, foot trim, vaccination and wormer, then ran up the bank and leapt over the fence to get back in the field with the neighbours horses where they had been before 
Just keep an eye on them to make sure they don't get stuck on their backs and they'll be fine for the winter.

[Marches Farmer]

What type of sheep?  Hill and mountain types can often roll themselves over using the weight of their legs but Down sheep can't and the longer they stay cast the flatter the wool on their back gets, compounding the problem.  If you can't keep a constant eye on them it will leaves them vulnerable to the crows as well as bloat  I'd be inclined to hand shear to about an inch then house them for a week with a bit of feed to allow them to adjust and house them again if the weather turns bad early in the winter.  Or you could crutch and belly shear to get the muck off and leave a show-trimmed Blue Faced Leicester type rug for insulation.

[shep53]

Two sheep hand clipped , you can  leave as much or as little wool as you like to keep them warm, it just takes time and you could do it over many days wouldn't look prity but would work , this is basicly what you do when preparing sheep for show or sale

[Bramblecot]

Hand shear (try Jacoti shears - much easier but very, very sharp).  Whatever you can take off will help them.  You can do them standing up and work from the top down leaving as much as you think fit to keep them warm.  By next year they will probably look fine.    They are lucky to have found you.

[sokel]

Thanks for the replys   One is a  swaly the other I am not sure  as not an expert on sheep
Feet are fine though. Not done anything yet as it's chucked it down most of the day
This is them.  Obviously the 2 big ones