Sheering questions…

[Farmercharliesblog]

Is anyone in my area a sheep sheerer?

 

[secuono]

I'm not a sheep person, but it seems to me that it would be best to shear them after winter and before it gets too hot in summer. Like @Mini Horses said - probably Mar/April.

Yeah. Some shear in winter, if lambing then, to get them to seek shelter to lamb and to get the wool before lambing break. Wool breaks yearly, from lambing or in the spring. It gets extra thick lanolin that makes it a bother to shear too close to that time frame. 30 days before or after.

 

[secuono]

Is anyone in my area a sheep sheerer?

Where are you?
I don't believe you've said.

American Sheep Industry | Shearer Directory

A contact directory listing information for sheep shearers in the U.S.

www.sheepusa.org

 

[Farmercharliesblog]

I am in great berrington Massachusetts. Below Pittsfield next to Stockbridge.

 

[farmerjan]

The link that @secuono posted had several shearers listed for Mass... if there are others in your area that have sheep, find out when they get theirs done and maybe get several flocks set up all on the same day....

 

[Farmercharliesblog]

There are several sheep farmers in my area. 1)their son does it for them and will not sheer for us
2)shears their own sheep and is too busy to sheer ours. She is working multipal full time jobs. 4H is paying for their sheep
3) sheers in mid winter. They are my sheep’s sheep farm. My boys are freezing now.

 

[rachels.haven]

That sounds like the Mass i know. I'm sorry you're stuck that way. Winter shearing in Mass is NOT okay.

 

[Maden_a]

Beer??
What country?
There's no school or certification needed for it in the usa.

There is a school in CA. They take applicants once a year.

2014 Sheep Shearing School - California

Details about the 2014 University of California Cooperative Extension Sheep Shearing School

cemendocino.ucanr.edu

I think it was a typo. Maybe @Farmercharliesblog can fix it when she gets back!

Yes, I know. I said it's not needed. As some people believe that it is.
Fun fact. Horse dentists are also not required to go to school and are not legally allowed to give drugs. Same with trimmers and farriers!

Wow, this is really interesting! So it turns out that in the USA, you don't actually need any special certifications for beer. But when it comes to horses... if I were a horse, I wouldn't be too keen on that 'licensed' treatment either — as long as they trim the hooves honestly, I'm good!


As for the 'Sheep Shearing School' — I wouldn’t mind that kind of training, although I’m not sure I’d be keen if I were invited to a sheep-shearing course myself. But hey, it's a big step for anyone who decides to pursue a career in the sheep biz!


Did you know some people specialize in ostrich rehabilitation? I don't think there'll be a school for that next year though

 

[secuono]

Do you have a 3 sided shelter, opening facing away from wind? With deep bedding?
You'll have to feed them more now, as they'll be using more energy just to try to stay warm.
Could buy waterproof, lined dog coats to help with warmth. But if your pasture isn't pristine, they'll shred them.