Step-by-Step Sheep Shearing

Sheep shearing is the process of removing the wool coat from the animal. Wool grows continuously throughout the year and requires removal one to two times a year, depending on the breed. The best time for sheep shearing is before winter lambing in January. A second shearing would occur in June, as long as the wool is more than 3 inches long. Sheep shearing is a step-by-step process that requires practice to remove a clean fleece in approximately five minutes.

Things You'll Need

  • Electric sheep shears
  • Two 10-by-10 rugs
  • Wool collection bag
  • Broom
  • Twine
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Instructions

    • 1

      Herd the sheep to an indoor space two to three days prior to the shearing date to keep the wool free of rain or snow.

    • 2

      Sort the animals into holding pens the morning of shearing for easy access to animals. Avoid placing water, feed or wood shaving bedding in the pen to limit debris and moisture on the wool.

    • 3

      Place a heavy 10-by-10 or larger rug on a flat surface designated as the shearing floor to keep the area clean. Set the shearing unit on the edge of the shearing area with the wool bagging area off to the side. You may want to lay a rug in the wool collection area to keep the wool free of debris.

    • 4

      Move one sheep at a time to the shearing area by placing one hand on the neck and one hand on the tail while walking. Stop just before the rug and brush off excess debris from the wool.

    • 5

      Move the sheep onto the shearing rug and flip the animal into a sitting position for shearing by reaching over the rear quarters and grabbing the leg closest to your body to make the sheep drop slowly to the rug. Stand behind the sheep so the backbone nestles between your legs.

    • 6

      Set the shears to cut 1/2 inch from the skin. Shear the wool off the sheep with smooth strokes, starting at the edge of the belly near the neck and moving toward the rear of the animal. Complete these strokes moving outward toward the right side of the animal, ending at the center back. Repeat for the left side, leaving the belly wool until last.

    • 7

      Shear the belly wool from the sheep and pull it aside to prevent mixing this course wool into the quality fleece.

    • 8

      Place the sheared wool fleece onto the wool-preparation rug and pick out visible debris and excess belly wool. Roll the fleece into a ball and tie with twine.

    • 9

      Sweep the shearing area and shear the next animal.