Sheering questions.

BlueMoonFarms

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So it sounds like electric clippers would be best, even if I will only end up have the three.
Now for my next question, what kind of clipper would be best?
 

SheepGirl

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I've never used electric clippers myself and I don't know what kind of shears my shearer uses. My friend has these, though: http://www.premier1supplies.com/detail.php?prod_id=537&cat_id=38 and she also has these http://www.osterpro.com/Product.aspx?id=livestock&cid=964&scid=0&pid=6436

And when you do shop around for sheep shears, make sure that they say it is a shearing machine--not a clipping machine. Clippers (like for horses or dogs) do not have the power to cut through thick wool & lanolin. I've tried that lol, in 2010 when one of my ewes didn't get sheared, I tried to shear her with our clippers my mom uses to give our dogs & my brothers & dad haircuts with--didn't work AT ALL! And because our hand shears were dull, I ended up using a brand new pair of scissors on her and it worked great. She looked awful and ended up dying shortly after, but she was finally sheared.

Other than the shearing/clipping difference--I, to be honest, have no idea what the difference is between electric shears. :idunno
 

BlueMoonFarms

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So, with my own research and your guys help I chose the electric shears, though I will be getting some hand shears also just so I can learn them both.
I am used to grooming dogs, so this was very diferent with HUGE shears, but at least I knew what I was doing :D

Before:
6998_img_9993.jpg

And
...
AFTER!!
6998_img_0086.jpg

6998_img_0087.jpg


I am officially dead...and my little lamb Rose, officially hates me.
I NICKED her twice, and got her really good under her neck, but thankfully nothing serious and no blood. Woot! I still felt bad T_T
So, what do you think?
Not bad for a first timer, now I need to focus on how to shear off the wool in one giant piece so I can spin it :D
 

Roving Jacobs

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Good job! Don't worry about cutting her, it happens to everyone.

Just for future reference it looks like your tension on the blades wasn't quite right. There's still quite a bit of fleece on her which happens to me when the tension is too loose and pulls the wool more than cutting it cleanly. It's really hard to figure out and takes practice but now I can hear when it needs to be tightened. You may have also just been nervous and not gotten as close as you could have. Don't be afraid to go right along the skin like you were shaving a poodle face and get a nice clean cut. All in all your first sheep looks way better than mine though!
 

BlueMoonFarms

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Roving Jacobs said:
Good job! Don't worry about cutting her, it happens to everyone.

Just for future reference it looks like your tension on the blades wasn't quite right. There's still quite a bit of fleece on her which happens to me when the tension is too loose and pulls the wool more than cutting it cleanly. It's really hard to figure out and takes practice but now I can hear when it needs to be tightened. You may have also just been nervous and not gotten as close as you could have. Don't be afraid to go right along the skin like you were shaving a poodle face and get a nice clean cut. All in all your first sheep looks way better than mine though!
In all honesty I got really up and close to the skin by her neck when I first started, but after I sliced her I was very cautious and highly nervous X_X i'll check the tension but I really think it was my nerves.
Really? :D Well I am very glad to hear that! I mean, well, im sure your first time wasn't so bad but I was so proud of myself!
I did her all my myself without anyone home to help :D
 

BlueMoonFarms

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Royd Wood said:
Roving Jacobs said:
Good job!

There's still quite a bit of fleece on her
:lol: yes there is - My white sheep are pink when we're finished :lol:

What a great job though - good effort
:lol: At least I tried!
and with how cold it is a little bit of wool wont hurt her right now. I will try again closer to spring :lol: Hopefully then I will have a little pink sheepy!
 

Bridgemoof

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You did great for your first time, especially doing it by yourself! Good thing she still has some woolies covering her too. Winter is not over! :lol:
 

goodolboy

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Good job for the first one. What clippers and blades did you use? Some are easier to use than others.
 
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