Shearing sheep can be easy –or it can be complicated. All it takes is a little bit of planning and consideration to make sure the process goes smoothly and efficiently. Here are a few important tips that can help you achieve that.
Use Good Equipment
Have a good set of shears, cutters and combs ready and ensure that they are clean and well oiled. This will prevent them from overheating or becoming stuck during the shearing process and keep the job going nicely.
Keep the Sheep Dry
Bring the sheep into the barn the night before shearing. Dry wool is much easier to shear and store, making the entire process simpler for you and less painful for the animals.
Refrain from Feeding the Sheep Beforehand
Shearing the sheep on empty bellies is an excellent idea because it means they’ll be a bit lighter and easier to handle.
Sort the Sheep before Shearing
Animals with different grades of wool should be sheared separately to simplify the wool sorting process. Thisalso ensures that you can get through a batch of animals without the need to switch cutters and combs every five minutes, saving you time and frustration.
Get Extra Help if you Need It
Sheep shearing can be made much more efficient when there are plenty of extra hands on deck. A good rule of thumb is to allocate one person per shearer and two to three others for tasks such as moving sheep and packing wool.
Prepare the Space for Shearing
Make sure the area to be used for shearing is clean and free of debris before shearing time. This enables you to shear in peace without worrying about what you might slip on or bump into. It also helps guarantee a steady work rate as you won’t have to keep stopping to move this and that out of the way.
For expert advice on sheep shearing or to stock up on your shearing supplies, contact the professionals at Shearing and Fencing today.
No comments:
Post a Comment