How to Groom Angora Goats

Angora goats produce mohair. Their coats grow 12 inches a year, and they are groomed or sheared twice a year, toward the end of winter and the end of summer. This is done to help them see, to prevent the hair from becoming dirty or tangled, and for hygiene. Groomers need to be supple and physically fit to manipulate the animals.

Things You'll Need

  • Clean surface or large sheet of plywood
  • 20-tooth mohair comb
  • Electric shearing clippers or hand shears
  • Paper bags
  • Marker
  • Scale
  • Broom
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare a clean area. A piece of plywood or other clean surface will suffice and make for clean fleece. You do not need to bathe or brush the goats prior to grooming but you may need to remove tangles as you go along, using a 20-tooth mohair comb. The goats should be kept dry for 24 hours before shearing.

    • 2

      Lay the goat down on the ground and hold the goat in position with your knees. Run the clippers or hand shears against the hair growth. Shear the body first, then the neck and head and lastly the legs. Move the goat into different positions to stretch the skin and help prevent cutting loose folds with the clippers.

    • 3

      Check the shorn goats for wounds or other conditions and treat them, if necessary. Place the shorn fleece in paper bags and label them with each goat's name and the weight of the fleece. Tape the bags closed until you are able to process the fleece. The fleece has to be thoroughly washed before spinning.