Shearing a goat can be an uneasy task if
you are not prepared. Here is a quick
and helpful guide to make your job a bit easier.
A few weeks prior to shearing you must
get your animal ready. First, you need
to use an insecticide containing permethrin or pyrethrin. This will kill any lice or ticks. Make sure to keep your goats dry 24 hours
prior to shearing. For health reasons,
after the goats have been shorn, be sure to add new bedding to a dry shelter,
and keep them out of inclement weather for approximately one month.
Tools you will need to shear your goat:
·
Blow dryer
·
Shears
·
Scissors
·
Paper bag
·
Scale
Whether you have just a few goats, or a
whole herd, be sure to use a high quality goat
shearing clippers to get the job done right.
How
to shear your goat:
1.
Begin by securing your goat,
either on the floor or on a grooming stand.
2.
Use a blow dryer to remove any
debris from the goat's coat.
3.
Shear the goat's belly from the
bottom of the chest to the udder.
4.
Shear each side of your goat
from the belly to spine, back leg to front.
5.
Working upward shear each back
leg from the beginning of the coat to the spine.
6.
Shear the neck from bottom to
top, and then from the goat's chest to the ears.
7.
Shearing from the crown to the
tail, finish shearing the back.
8.
Using scissors, remove any hair
you may have missed.
Once you're done you may release your
goat. Check the hair to make sure there
are no contaminants. Weigh the fleece,
roll it, and place it in a paper bag. Be
sure to write, on the bag, the goat's name, age, and date sheared. The fleece should be stored in a dry area.
A few other tips to keep in mind when
shearing your goat, or any of your other animals; younger animals typically
have the best fibre, so shear them first.
When shearing always use long smooth strokes. This will help keep the fleece together in
longer strands. This will increase the
value of the fleece and also make it easier to work with. Be very careful not to cut your goat's
skin. Pay particular attention to the
area where the legs meet the body, the scrotal region, the belly, and the
teats. If you happen to cut your goat
while shearing use an antibacterial spray to treat it.
Shearing an animal isn't a
difficult task, once you've learned the basics.
It can be a rewarding and profitable venture, especially if you do your
own shearing.
