Sheep Shearing Techniques

Prepping

• Prepping the sheep involves bringing the sheep in from pasture and placing it in an area that is quiet, safe and from which it cannot escape. As the sheep is adjusting to its surroundings, the shearer can prepare his shears. Oiling the shears and ensuring the combs and blades are sharp will make the experience a better one for both the shearer and the sheep. After you are ready to shear, you need to flip the sheep onto its side. To flip a sheep on its side, grab its head and neck and push down. The body of the sheep will follow. Position your knee and calf on top of the sheep's neck to hold it still.

Shears

• Sheep farmers typically use two types of shears, handheld and electric. Electric shears are faster, but they get hot. To prevent burning and skin irritation, oil electric shears regularly throughout the shearing process. Hand shears are like scissors, and it will take more than one pair of hand shears to shear a fully matured sheep with a year's growth of wool. Use a wet stone grinder to sharpen hand shears. Injury to the hamstring and jugular vein can cost a sheep its life.

Technique

• Start shearing with the sheep on its back. The underbelly is not wool that is worth selling, so clip it off first to get it out of the way. Then roll the sheep on its side, and, working from the underside to the top of the back of the animal, run the clippers under the wool as close to the skin as possible in full arm-length strokes. Shear both sides to the center of the back and then move on to the legs. Shear all four legs by running the shears around the legs, not up and down the leg. This technique reduces hamstring injury. The most valuable wool is on the shoulders and neck. Shear the shoulders and neck last. The jugular vein is in the neck area; use caution when working in that area. Run the shears up the sheep from its shoulder area up to its head, using lengthy strokes. After shearing is complete, let the sheep up and set it out to pasture. The sheep will not grow back fleece for two months, so it needs protection from the elements to keep healthy.

Blades

• The technique for oiling blades in the middle of shearing is different from the method used prior to shearing. Before you begin to shear, hold the clippers in your hand while they are turned on. As you apply the clipper oil to the blade, hold the blade toward the ground and tilt on one side and then the other. Keep the oil moving along the blade. As the oil heats up, it thins and forms a water-like consistency. The heated oil will drop off the blades onto the ground. Shake any excess oil from the clippers and wipe with a clean towel after shutting it off. While shearing, use the same oil and squeeze a smaller amount directly onto the blade. Do not pour oil onto the clipper blade in the upright position as the oil will run into the motor and cause a short circuit. You can shake off any excess oil while shearing, but some will get on the sheep due to the close proximity of the clippers, shearer and the sheep.