Hairstyles aren’t something that everyone expects, and sheep are no exception. Shearing does not excite the sheep, nor does it excite the farm owners. Both of them are terrified of it since it is a natural cycle that isn’t as easy as it should be.
In any event, there are a few things you can do to make shearing with ace shearing combs easier for both you and them. All that is required is a little guidance on what to do – and what you must avoid at all costs!
Decide The Venue
The chosen site should be protected to keep the sheep safe from rain and direct sunshine. If the weather is hot, check for indicators that the sheep is bothered by the heat. The sheep’s tongues may hang out and their breathing may fluctuate.
It is necessary to have dry circumstances in the venue where you will be shearing. Shearing wet or soiled wool can be challenging. If the wool has been dampened by dew or frost, make sure it has thoroughly dried before shearing it.
Concrete floors should not be used in the covered pen where the sheep are housed. It should be free of filth and dampness since these are the circumstances most likely to soil the sheep’s wool and impair the quality of the wool shorn from them.
Allow the Sheep to Concentrate
When shearing, it is always preferable to have as few interruptions as possible. Different animals such as felines, canines, and other dairy cattle that are not required for the event should be kept away. Their essence may lead the sheep to get agitated and wander around. Because their skin is in close touch with an edge at the time of shearing, their anxious developments can be dangerous.
Food Should Be Reduced
It is advisable not to look after sheep when the shearing season arrives. They can eat roughage the night before or for the time being, but a sheep with a full stomach may have some problems when being sheared.
Sheep should not be cared for or given water for at least eight hours before shearing is scheduled to begin. It’s also a good idea to move the sheep away from meadows since eating grass or dry roughage right before shearing might induce a gas buildup in their system.
This wonder is called a gasper, and it may come into their lungs during shearing. If the current situation resurfaces, the sheep must be reintroduced to a safe environment, otherwise, it will most likely succumb to asphyxia, which can be fatal. Sheep’s real well-being should be in the foreground of the shearer’s mind.
Maintain Good Hygiene
Shearing hardware that is used to shear fleece should be well cleaned before being used on sheep. Special precautions and attention should be exercised in the case of sheep suffering from an incurable illness. The sheep shears should be cleaned after the afflicted sheep have been sheared to prevent the disease from spreading.
The way you handle sheep shears has an impact on the sheep’s willingness to complete the task. Making firm and solid blows in some way or another reassures the sheep and shows them that you know what you’re doing. Keep these do’s and don’ts in mind when you try shearing.
