[Jackie]

Ive just read your website for future ref and wondered what dagging and belly crutching is and why belly wool has to be removed prior to slaughter?

As you can probably guess Im getting sheep/lambs for the first time this year. 

[SingingShearer]

Hi Jackie,

Dagging is taking off all the mucky ( green..slimy..) bits around the back end.
Belly crutching is taking off all the belly wool ( should be done before they get mucky) and around the back end to prevent them needing to be dagged.

Belly wool is sometimes taken off prior to slaughter as some abbatoirs dislike very dirty sheep.

I'm sure someone will disagree with my explanations though

Hope this clears thing up a bit.

Thanks,
Philip

[Wizard]

Hello SS Round here it is called docking Dockin the ewes also prevents a maggot attack,The dockings are put in a separate bag from the wool Hence a Lincolnshire saying "Yer cu'nt tell good wool from arse docks"

[SingingShearer]

Hi Wizard,

Yes I agree it can prevent flystrike around the back end but of course one place flystrike gets missed is on the shoulders.

Dagging/Docking is a good thing as it makes the sheep easier to shear, doesn't blunt the shearing combs as quick and the sheep is stressed less as shearing is then quicker.

I'll remember that phrase as I shear in Lincolnshire a lot.

Thanks,
Philip

[acorn zwartbles]

Hi, sorry thought i had replied. Iam in Halsall, nr Ormskirk, Lancs and have about 20 zwartbles to do. Normally have a lad that comes from nz but we havent heard from him this yr. Think he had a hard time last yr so might not of bothered.

Laura

[SingingShearer]

Hi Laura,

Not sure when I will be free, when is good for you?

If you know of anyone else in your area who needs a shearer please feel free to pass my details on as if I can do more than one job in one day then it splits the travel cost between jobs.

Thanks,
Philip

[spikey_fridge]

thanks Philip and family ! sheep are looking fine and dandy with new haircuts. i think i was more nervous than them lol

[jembo]

Thanks Philip and co!
I now have happy naked sheep, and a lot of fleeces!!

[Sharondp]

Thanks Phillip for doing a great job on the badgers - sorry I wasn't there to see you!

When I got home last night, my boys were in the bath. I said 'What's happened to the sheep?' and my 5 year old Toby replied 'They've been peeled'!   

[spikey_fridge]

my youngest is most concerned about it growing back ha ha.
i think i have rehomed the tup. he is due for pastures new to keep a young ewe company, so hopefully no vet visit

[SingingShearer]

Hi,

Spikey,

Glad to hear you have rehomed him, he didn't care about the shearing but don't think he would be happy when he saw the vet .

Jembo,

You'll have to get spinning then won't you , also being the simple shearer that I am I think that I possibly left my oil can with your sheep, if I did could you please hang on to it until next year,or we can pop in when we are down that way.

Sharondp,

Thats ok, there wasn't much to see, just a lot of people chasing an unshorn sheep round a field, because it was the last one it found the nearest hole in the fence and went, theres allways one .

Was a good day and was nice to meet everyone.

Thanks,
Philip

[spikey_fridge]

philip can i just say, many thanks to your family for their tips and advice. wonderful people and with your accents i felt slightly homesick for Yorkshire

[Sharondp]

Before & after, and Philip in action...

[SingingShearer]

Hi,

Spikey,

Glad they could be of some use, I knew that I brought them for a reason .

Sharon,

Great photos, thanks for putting them on (everyone will know what I look like now).

Thanks,
Philip

[Sharondp]

I have more on my Facebook page, but had trouble resizing them for here!