Sheep Shearing Instructions

We get wool from sheep by shearing the fleece from them with cutters, but there are other reasons for relieving these animals of their covering. Even a pet sheep, whose fleece might be more of a burden to dispose of than a money asset, would be more comfortable in summer without it. Removing the fleece also helps keep the animal cleaner and less susceptible to disease.

  1. Preparation

    • Brush the fleece. A clean fleece is easier to cut. Dampen with water or sheep dip. Don't use permanent marking sprays or insecticides for weeks before shearing. Check for ear tags, and remove collars from pet sheep. Don't feed the sheep the night before, to make them more comfortable during the process.

    Process

    • Shearing doesn't hurt the sheep, unless it's poorly done and the clippers cut what they shouldn't. An experienced sheep will acquiesce when laid on her back, knowing she won't be harmed and can't get away. Lay the sheep upside-down against your leg, holding her forelegs. A calm approach will help keep the sheep from struggling.

      Start cutting at the belly, taking care to smooth out skin wrinkles. Progressing to one side of the sheep, trim wool from that hind leg, as far as the hip. Then move to the face, or topknot, and trim back as far as the neck. Then the front leg on that side, to the shoulder.

      Continue with the hind leg on that side, trimming farther toward the back. Do the same with the foreleg, face and neck. The fleece should begin to fall away on that side in one piece. Now you can lay the sheep directly on the floor on her back and trim the side to the middle of her back, taking long strokes from hip to shoulder. Roll her onto her side, and continue trimming along the back, still moving the cutter from tail to head.

      Repeat on the other side, except now the cutters move from front to rear of the sheep. The fleece should come away in one piece, ready for "skirting."

    Aftercare

    • Sheep newly relieved of their wool can become too cold. It's a good idea to pasture or paddock them with windbreaks or provide them with coats or coverings until a good insulation grows back. After shearing is a good time to apply louse treatments and insecticide for flies. "Skirting" the fleece afterward is to remove undesirable bits of wool, such as the topknot or leg pieces.