[Jacob-list] Sheep shearing question......

[Cathy Robinson]

The first year we had sheep (4) we did our own...and it still took a 
while!  While I could do it again if I absolutely had to, it is one of 
those things I choose to pay to have someone else do for me.  Writing 
the check to our shearer is one of the most painless checks I write 
during the year....I have such a feeling of satisfaction seeing 
everything done in just a few hours, the sheep all cool and comfortable 
at one time...it is an extremely happy event for me when it is done!  We 
show our appreciation to our shearer...I always offer him lunch but he 
does not always stop to eat....depending on how many there are to shear, 
where he is going from here, and weather.  I also always tip him above 
what he asks for.  He drives more than an hour to come to us each year 
and does his best to get here when we want him (except for weather 
conflicts) so I want to be a customer he wishes to keep.  The last time 
he was here, he shared stories about some of the area shearers that just 
won't "do" Jacobs, so that is also something to consider. While ours are 
well-behaved, in general the breed can be more of a challenge to shear, 
and some of that is related to body type rather than behavior, although 
he did share some behavior stories with us!

If you wish to make your shearing day an event, I would think you would 
want to have someone else doing that task, as there will still be plenty 
for you to do, if you are going to use or sell your fleeces.  I have 
attended a shearing event at a B&B, and there is a lot of 
activity....skirting (if you do it then and not later), bagging, 
labeling, record-keeping/notes, talking with interested onlookers, 
showing fleeces to prospective buyers,  etc.  Our own shearing day has 
been publicized for the last two years at our local knit shop.  In 
addition to the fiber people, we also get the curious on-lookers who  
just want to watch this "uncommon" activity in a modern world.  

Finding a shearer before you need one is a very wise plan.  Western 
North Carolina hosts a fiber fair in late October each year (SAFF) and 
there is always a shearing event there.  Shearers that might not travel 
to a specific area are happy to share names of others they know that 
might.  It seems to be getting harder and harder to find shearers.  It 
is not something many young people are aspiring to become....it is hard 
work when doing many in a few hours.  It will probably become even more 
difficult to locate a shearer in years to come...so guess it is 
something we all need to be prepared to do, if we have to.  In this 
area, that is one reason why farmers would rather have goats than 
sheep....no shearing worries!

Cathy
Perfect Spot Farm
Mill Spring, NC
www.patchworkfibers.com/robinson.html


Christopher Brantley wrote:

> Ok guys.... you are a fountain of knowledge and great at sharing it 
> with me and everyone else. I continue to appreciate that  and your 
> persistent patience with me as I learn more and more through your 
> generosity.
>
> I'm looking at the spring and shearing season coming up. I was 
> wondering how many folks hire out the task of shearing their sheep and 
> if it's worth the cost. Or, is it too much trouble for most sheperds 
> to do themselves.
>
>
> The other twist to my shearing will be that (maybe not this year, but 
> in the future) turned into an event. We'll probably market it as a 
> weekend event at our Bed and Breakfast so folks can see where wool 
> comes from... So getting it right is important around here.
>

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.pairlist.net/pipermail/jacob-list/attachments/20040802/4405660a/attachment.html