Preparation is key, make sure you know when to shear and have all the equipment you need to complete a successful shearing.
When should you shear?
Depending on your breed of sheep and location, you will need to shear sometime between May and July.
Shearing too close to lambing can affect the ewe, while shearing too early can affect wool renewal, leading the sheep to overheat in the summer. Good husbandry will benefit shorn ewes, and they will take up less space in the lambing shed.
Ewes that are shorn before lambing can give their lambs a better start. This could be due to the ewes eating more and gaining body fat to keep the lambs warm, which will also help them produce more milk.
Getting the right shearing equipment together
Having the correct shearing equipment ready is key to having a successful and uninterrupted experience. When it comes to equipment, you have 2 main options, one being the use of a motor in the handpiece unit, the second being the use of an overhead motor unit set up with a drive and handpiece.
The difference between the two is that the motor in the handpiece unit is ideal for dagging and the smaller flocks, where the overhead machines are for larger flocks and commercial use.
Another key component is the comb and cutters, these must be sharp before starting to shear otherwise you risk encountering issues such as cutting the animal which would lead to agitation, making it a more difficult experience.
