10 tips on improving your shearing technique
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- 13 Mar 2023
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Shearing sheep (the ancient skill) is a vital element of good flock management. The process provides a clean and sanitary environment for the sheep but also reduces overheating in the summer. Many will bring in a shearer to complete the job, but some will shear their flock themselves. Lister global has created a step-by-step guide on how to shear your flock.
1) Round up the sheep into a pen
To make an easy start to shearing your flock, make sure you have rounded up all your sheep and shut them into a pen. Where possible, you could separate the sheep into groups to later speed up the process; split them into lambs, yearlings, rams, and ewes.
- Make sure that the sheep are not exposed to any rain prior to shearing, as they cannot be sheared if their wool is wet. The shears could cause the shearer or the sheep an electric shock if they are put in contact with wet wool. Moreover, you cannot roll or sell a wet fleece.
- To minimise any discomfort when being rolled on their back and to reduce the amount of waste produced on the shearing floor, you should fast the sheep the day before shearing.
2) Getting the right position
The first position you will need to put yourself and the sheep in is the first of five main positions.
- Gently tip the sheep over onto its back and prop the shoulders between your knees. Her legs should be in the air, exposing the belly.
- Ensure that the sheep remains as comfortable as possible to reduce any struggle and to make your job easier.
3) Begin with the belly
To begin with, you should start on the belly as the wool here is the dirtiest and therefore not as valuable.
- Shearing from the top of the brisket (breastbone) down to the open flank area, use long and confident blows to remove the wool. Make sure that the first blow is to the right side of the belly and the second is to the left, leaving the middle area to shear off last.
4) Inside the hind legs and crotch
The next area you will be moving on to is the crotch and inner hind legs.
- Leaning further forward, while still maintaining a firm hold of the sheep, you will need to bring the shears up along the inside of the right leg, and then across along the crotch. Once this area is sheared, move down the inside of the right leg to remove the remaining wool.
Always be careful of an ewe’s teats while shearing the crotch and hind leg area.
5) Left hind leg and tail
The next position will require your body to be moved around 90 degrees; with your right knee in front of the brisket, the sheep’s left side needs to be exposed with her right foreleg between yours.
- Begin at the toe of the left hind leg and shear up towards the hind quarters, finishing on the near side of the backbone.
- To get better access to the sheep’s tail you will need to move your right leg backwards a few inches, and position the comb of the shears to enter the wool at the top of the tail. When positioned, you can run one blow from the top of the tail along the backbone and repeat until the wool is cleared.
6) Shear the chest, neck and chin
Next, you will need to place your left foot at the base of the sheep’s spine, and your right foot between the hind legs; firmly hold her body between your knees. Put your left hand under the sheep’s chin and stretch her head backwards.
- Make a blow from the brisket towards the neck, and end below the sheep’s chin. Continue the process along her left side, finishing the blows beneath her eye and then the ear.
7) The left shoulder
To gain better access to the sheep’s left shoulder, your weight will need to be shifted and you will need to manoeuvre the sheep slightly.
- Beginning with the left knee, shear upwards towards the left shoulder. Here you can take the opportunity to clear any wool remaining inside the left foreleg.
To help with the shearing of this area, make the skin taut using your hand, as the wrinkles can lead to the sheep being nicked by the shears.
8) Change position- shearing the back
The next position you will need to get into involves sliding the sheep down along your shin so that she is lying on her right side. Your left foot will need to be under the sheep’s shoulder and your right foot between her hind legs.
- Position the shears at the sheep’s tail and staying parallel to her spin, make a long blow straight to her head. Continue in this position until the left side is clear of wool, and you have gone one blow past the backbone.
9) Change again- shearing the right side
To move into the fifth position, you will need to swing your right leg around and stand upright, with the sheep’s nose between your knees.
- Using three or four blows, shear along the right side of the sheep’s head, neck, and shoulders. Once this area is clear, shear the wool from her right foreleg, starting from the shoulder downwards to her toe.
- Making a series of diagonal blows, you will then need to clear the wool along the sheep’s flank.
10) Finally, the right leg and hindquarter
Shifting your right foot forward slightly and your left hand on the sheep’s right flank, you will need to place pressure on this area to keep the sheep’s leg straight to shear.
- In a curved motion, you should shear from her flank to the right hind leg. Once the area is clear, you can make a final few blows to the hindquarters to clear any remaining wool.
For further advice on shearing or the equipment needed, visit Lister Global for all the latest news and products.
