[maddy]

Probably a very simple question is when to dag - before going to the ram or 8 weeks or so before lambing?

And also are there any reasonably priced shearers mains or battery that you would recommend using on my ryeland girls for dagging.   

Thanks

[Bionic]

Maddy, I have ryelands too. I am putting in my two penneth worth but it probably isn't much use to you. I have some Burgeon and Ball dagging shears which I have all but given up with. I find they are cumbersome, the blades keep moving to the wrong side, and they just generally don't cut very well. Jakoti shears have been recommended by some as they are lethally sharp but they are quite long and very dangerous. I have resorted to a combination of hoof shears, which are sharp but with short blades, and a pair of kitchen scissors.
Maybe I should get someone to show me the propper way of using dagging shears 

[Ladygrey]

I use jakoti shears for dagging and crutchung , yes they are very sharp but better than being blunt and having to saw away at the wool and thennd up cutting the ewe!

I also use them for shearing when I don't want to use my electric shears

I agree Sally! I find the burgeon and ball ones to be very cumbersome and need sharpening far too often!!

I do mine two weeks before the tups go in (so next weekend)

[Me]

Lister 240 v. Do it before tupping and lambing and any other time if you like

[Anke]

I have so far never dagged my ewes before tupping or before lambing... I do it if and when they have a mucky bum and as a routine all ewes post-lambing.

I use a pair of "dagging shears" as opposed to normal shearing shears and find that they do the job fine. Of course mine never look as good as the ones down the road where the farmer must have hundreds of ewes and they are done by machine obviously.

[Foobar]

B&B dagging shears, as and when required (which with mine is very rarely).


Don't try and cut through the poo.  you need to cut lower than that, so you are cutting the clean wool underneath (not the skin mind ).  Sometimes you can if it's still wet, but you won't be able to if it's dry and you are using dagging shears.  Foot trimmers are ideal if you do have a bit that you need to cut through though.


The only other time I use my dagging shears is to trim the ewe-lambs wool in front of the back leg, pre-tupping, so that the udder is more accessible for the lambs come the spring.

[Marches Farmer]

Dagging is cutting off mucky bits.  Crutching is clearing wool from a larger area to the side of and below the tail.  If you're nervous try wearing a disposabe glove and covering the vulva with one hand while trimming with the other (your Glamorous Assistant will, of course, be holding the ewe in a vice-like grip).  If you're new to all this holding the ewe on its back on the floor with its head nestled next to the GA's and the GA holding its back legs up to give you good access to the rear end may help.  Alternatively you could try an in-hand shearing head, stand astride the rear end and take two lines downwards each side of the tail.  This may be the first year I've ever managed to crutch the ewes before tupping .... if I get around to it .....

[Rosemary]

Jakoti shears - wouldn't go past them now.

We dag before the tup if any need it and routinely after lambing. If any were really bad at any other time when I had them in, I'd do them then. I don't touch them before lambing unless it's life or death