[desertmum]

New to sheep.  We want to show two of ours at the beginning of June, just read somewhere that if showing that early they should be shorn end of the year.  Have we missed the boat?  And can we shear them now?  They will have shelter to go in.
Any advise welcomed.

[bj_cardiff]

This leaflet might be useful. Basically you need to shear 6-8 weeks before lambing and the ewes will need to be housed (with no turnout) untill they've lambed.

https://businesswales.gov.wales/farmingconnect/sites/farming/files/112012-winter-shearing.pdf

[Sbom]

You'd have to house them for up to six weeks, weather depending. Not sure about showing fleeces. A guy I worked for would shear in December and that was for showing purposes.

[desertmum]

thanks everyone - found a shearer who shears many show sheep and he says we are still in time - we are showing the sheep not the fleeces!  They will be in the sheep shelter to keep them warm.

[harmony]

What sort of sheep do you have?

[desertmum]

thye are coloured Ryedales - great characters!

[Marches Farmer]

Are these Ryelands?  Are they in lamb?

[desertmum]

They are coloured Ryelands, not in lamb - they are last years March lambs.  Hoping to put the in lamb this year

[Marches Farmer]

If you shear them now be aware they're still growing (albeit slowly) and if the weather turns cold it might be helpful to give them a little hard feed so they don't use too much energy keeping warm rather than growing.

[desertmum]

Will do.  I am worried about how cold they will as their wool is so think.   But they have a shelter with bedding so should be OK and if it gets really cold they will go into the polytunnel. 

[bj_cardiff]

If you shear this time of year you really shouldn't allow them access to outdoors, they should be in for 6 weeks. Sheep can be very stupid and if you give them the choice of shelter or freeze to death then you'd be amazed at how many will make the wrong choice! My shearer won't sheer mine in May because the nights are still too cold!

[Marches Farmer]

Mine, too.  Last year the Spring was so slow to kick in they didn't get done until July.

[desertmum]

Gosh! Where do you all live that it's so cold you can't shear until July?  Our sheep (all four of them!) are next to the house in a large sheep shelter.  We have other animals and we are around most of the day to keep an eye on them, when it is warm and sunny like today they will get to go outside for a couple of hours.  They are well fed fat sheep - so not likely to freeze to death- inshallah!  They are show sheep so have to be sheared early.

Horses for courses.

[harmony]

I worked in a t shirt yesterday but I still needed my coat last night 

[desertmum]

They will be inside at night and ALL DAY if it is cold.  They are not going to be sheared and chucked out on some wild and windy and cold mountain to fend for themselves!  We spend all day on our land with the horses and chickens and sheep and dogs - they are constantly checked on - they are an investment to us and also part of the famly. 

I get the concern, but feel you aren't reading what I am saying. 

Thanks for the input.