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SHEEP-fed-barely-sprouting-fodders, page : 208
CHAPTER 11
SHEARING
Most breeds of sheep must be shorn every year, it is a major operation. If you are not interested in wool production, then consider raising hair breeds.
Recently, scientists in Australia have been working on a chemical that causes sheep to shed their wool. The chemical is a naturally occurring protein that is given in the form of a injection. After the injection, the sheep are covered with a hair net to collect the fleece. The protein causes the fleece to break off near the skin surface, and a day later, the sheep begins to grow a new fleece. This beak-through has not passed the red-tape in procedure in some countries – check to see if this injection is permitted in your part of the world.
Until such time that shepherds can use this injection, the operation has to be done manually. You will need a good pair of hand shears, or an electric pair of clippers. Shearing is a skill that takes practice, you may have seen professional shearers go about their work, and make it look easy especially as they can shear a sheep in just a few minutes – but remember, they have had l o t s of practice.
In regions where there are lots of small flocks, there is often a professional shearer that goes from one flock to another. If a reputable shearer lives in your area, and you are new to raising sheep or just have a small flock, it is probably a good idea to hire him to do the job. If you go this route, you will learn a lot if you are there to watch him, and the job will go smoother with an extra pair of hands to sort, catch, and move the sheep.
If there aren't any shearers available to help out then you will have to do it yourself. Electric clippers are quicker to use than hand shears. They are a little on the expensive side, and can cut hands as well as sheep, especially when you are new to shearing. If you are a small flock owner and what to shear your own sheep, hand shears have several advantages:
1. They provide an inexpensive way to get started.
2. They do not require electricity, so you can work on the sheep anywhere.
3. They are easy and quick to sharpen with just a hand stone.
4. They are lightweight and easy to carry around.
SHEARING
Most breeds of sheep must be shorn every year, it is a major operation. If you are not interested in wool production, then consider raising hair breeds.
Recently, scientists in Australia have been working on a chemical that causes sheep to shed their wool. The chemical is a naturally occurring protein that is given in the form of a injection. After the injection, the sheep are covered with a hair net to collect the fleece. The protein causes the fleece to break off near the skin surface, and a day later, the sheep begins to grow a new fleece. This beak-through has not passed the red-tape in procedure in some countries – check to see if this injection is permitted in your part of the world.
Until such time that shepherds can use this injection, the operation has to be done manually. You will need a good pair of hand shears, or an electric pair of clippers. Shearing is a skill that takes practice, you may have seen professional shearers go about their work, and make it look easy especially as they can shear a sheep in just a few minutes – but remember, they have had l o t s of practice.
In regions where there are lots of small flocks, there is often a professional shearer that goes from one flock to another. If a reputable shearer lives in your area, and you are new to raising sheep or just have a small flock, it is probably a good idea to hire him to do the job. If you go this route, you will learn a lot if you are there to watch him, and the job will go smoother with an extra pair of hands to sort, catch, and move the sheep.
If there aren't any shearers available to help out then you will have to do it yourself. Electric clippers are quicker to use than hand shears. They are a little on the expensive side, and can cut hands as well as sheep, especially when you are new to shearing. If you are a small flock owner and what to shear your own sheep, hand shears have several advantages:
1. They provide an inexpensive way to get started.
2. They do not require electricity, so you can work on the sheep anywhere.
3. They are easy and quick to sharpen with just a hand stone.
4. They are lightweight and easy to carry around.