Nothing was wrapped around her holding her there it was just the pokey stems grabbing the wool. The other main reason to shear is to prevent fly strike. Fly strike is a maggot infestation on the sheep. It is usually at the back end near the tail but really it can happen anywhere on her body. Fly strike is very stressful to the sheep and, to be blunt, disgusting to see. Sheep that are shorn are much less likely to get fly strike, making shearing worth the effort for this alone.
The wool is scoured washed at the wool processor or by the person who bought the raw unwashed fleece. If you want to make items that will be worn next to the skin then you need fine wool like Merino. If you are wanting wool that is easier to learn to spin at home, try something more like Shetland or Romney, which are medium wools known for being beginner friendly. Maybe you want to make durable rugs, then you need more of a course wool, like Scottish Blackface, that will be able to handle the abuse of being walked on.
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Two ewe lambs of the same age and size, the only difference is the wool! Shearing can be a shocking transformation! Download PDF. D omesticated sheep have been shorn since the dawn of civilization. Early on, wool was a vital resource to support human life. To protect this resource, shepherds tend flocks of sheep with care and respect for the animals. Sheep are provided fresh food and water, and protected from disease and predation.
Most sheep grow wool continuously and they should be shorn annually. Portable electric shears have the motor inside the handle of the handpiece. More teeth on a comb generally mean a cut closer to the skin.
Cutters generally have 4 points, triangular protrusions, and attach to the handpiece by way of four "fingers" that press them firmly against the comb. Cutters are the first thing to dull, and you will probably want about 3 cutters for every comb. Changing cutters is quick, and it ensures a sharp tool. Remember, dull tools are dangerous tools.
When purchasing shearing combs, it is important to buy a type of comb that is best suited to the sheep you will be shearing.
Preparing sheep for shearing A sheep shearer should be contacted well in advance of shearing time. Sheep should be penned before shearing. Sheep should be fasted before shearing. This will result in a much cleaner shearing floor. A full stomach also contributes to animal discomfort during shearing. Wet sheep should not be shorn. Sheep should be sheared on a clean, dry surface e.
The shearing area should be swept after each sheep to provide a clean surface for the next. Skirting Fleeces After shearing, belly wool and tags should be separated from the rest of the fleece. Every sheep producer should learn how to skirt and roll a fleece. To skirt, throw the fleece flesh side down, so the dirty end of the fleece faces up.
Remove off-color wool, tags around the breach, very short and matted wool, and other contaminated areas. Then roll the two sides of the fleece in toward the middle and roll the fleece from one end to the other.
The flesh side will face out, created a clean, attractive package for the buyer. It is usually not necessary to tie fleeces. Some wool pools will discount fleeces that are tied. If fleeces are tied for competition , only paper twine should be used. Skirting is especially important for high value wool, wool that will be sold to hand spinners, or for fleeces that will be exhibited. Packaging wool Small producers can package their fleeces in cardboard boxes or plastic garbage bags.
Wool should not be packaged in poly feed sacks or burlap bags. This will contaminate the wool. Large producers should pack their wool in large square bales.
The preferred packaging material is clear plastic wool bags. Different grades or classes of wool should be packaged separately. All belly wool, tags, off-color, burry, seedy, chaffy, cotted, stained or dead wool should be handled and bagged separately. Black wool should be kept separate from white wool. Bags of wool should be labeled. Properly sorted and labeled wool will bring more money to the grower.
Wool should be stored in a clean, dry place until ready for market.
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