[Jacob-list] Re: shearing and stands

[dbennet954 at earthlink.net]

We were having trouble finding a shearer who would shear horned sheep 
and do a good job of it. Most were afraid of their horns or thought them 
inconvenient and were used to shearing commercial sheep without regard 
to second cuts (commercial sheep wool isn't worth much). So, my husband 
went to shearing school last year. 60 hours of training for about a 
$100. It was well worth it. He was taught what it takes to get them to 
sit still. For instance, when you put them on their side, slip your foot 
under their front shoulder blade in the right spot, and they can't get 
up. This works well for trimming hooves and giving shots, too.
Here in Southern Oregon, they have a shearing school every April, 
sponsored in part, by the County Extension Service. 4-H kids get a 
discount. My husband said there were 3 or 4 teenagers at the training 
last year and a lot of adults take the training every year to keep up 
their skill level.
Debbie Bennett

On Wednesday, January 30, 2002, at 03:17 PM, Elaina Kenyon wrote:

> In our area (piedmont of NC), all of the shearers are over 60 and I 
> don't
> see anyone young stepping up to learn the trade and take over once the
> current generation of shearers isn't doing it anymore.  Because of this
> (plus a natural desire for independence) last year prompted me to get
> serious about learning to shear my own.  I think it is well worth 
> learning
> to do even if you don't intend to do your own flock most of the time.
>
> I use the type of shearing stand that Fred and Joy describe (purchased 
> from
> Sydell) and hand shears.  I also purchased the book "Shearing Day" by 
> Kevin
> Ford.  Shears and book were under $50 investment.  Burgin & Ball shears 
> are
> the best kind to get.  I've watched Kevin work and read the book, but
> otherwise have no "formal" training.  So far it is working out quite 
> well.
> I've done about a dozen animals totally on my own and another 15 or so 
> with
> help of friend.  When working with someone else I start at the crutch 
> area
> (mostly discarded) and work forward toward the front, rolling the 
> fleece up
> along the back of the sheep as we go.  Other person is working on the 
> other
> side.  You can do a sheep in less than 30 minutes this way.  One big
> advantage of the hand shears (other than low cost compared to electric) 
> is
> they are quiet which in my experience (having compared both methods with
> same sheep) keeps the sheep calmer.  Other advantage is that this method
> leaves more wool on the sheep which is nice if you like to shear early.
>
> Elaina Kenyon
> Avillion Farm
> Apex, NC
>
>
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