Shearing and Angora goat

Callieslamb · #1 10/19/10, 09:16 AM

I am not sure if anyone here has angora goats, but I thought I would ask a couple questions here anyway. I have an elderly 'neighbor' (10 miles away) with an angora goat. I helped her shear him this spring. He hadn't been sheared in 2 years and it was NOT a pleasant experience. We had to use hand shears and I brought those. She used scissors. Yesterday, she called and asked if I could some and help her shear him again so I assume my hints about not having an animal you can't take care of...especially if you are asking a total stranger for help - didn't take. I don't mind helping her, she is very elderly and lives alone - no family. What else can I do BUT help?

1. Do you shear angora goats this time of year? Will their coat grow back quickly enough for a MI winter?

2. Any tips on how to make it easier? Last time, I held on to his horns with one hand and sheared with the other while she pulled the fleece away from his skin.....I'd rather do it a different way this time around. He is not unfriendly, just doesn't like to be touched. He does try to butt/ram everyone around him.

Now I know what you are going to say.....and I WILL say it to her...It's time to let this animal GO.....I not sure she will be able to do it since he is her only company, which really isn't company. Anyone with hints on how to shear an angora goat correctly?

Jay27 · #2 10/19/10, 09:27 AM

I've sheared sheep (yeah, not the same thing, I know) and we never did it this late in the year. Does she put him in a barn so he can stay warm?

How big of a critter are we talking here? I assume he is too big to throw down... Maybe you could tie up a leg and lay him down. Might be easier to hold him down than to hold him still... I say this out of complete ignorance on how to shear an angora goat... just know how we do it with sheep.

PNP Katahdins · #3 10/19/10, 09:49 AM

There is an excellent shearing Yahoo group at http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/SheepShearing/ and besides sheep, they cover angora goats, llamas, and alpacas. Join the very helpful group and you can ask questions as well as check the message archives. Might be able to find someone to help, too.

Peg

Sweet Goats · #4 10/19/10, 10:23 AM

I do not have Angora goats but my kids do in my 4H group. A lot of people do it by now, but he will be fine if it is not getting really cold at night where he is. They all put a sweater on them after the sheering for two reasons, 1. to keep them warm and 2. to protcet them from the sun and getting burrned.

They need to be done twice a year, and I coan not imagine how nasty it was when you sheered him after two years of no sheering, that poor babys, I can not imaging how hot he got.

Is he a buck? amd by himself (Buck or wether, either way, sad)

Good for you for helping her out that is great.

Callieslamb · #5 10/19/10, 04:30 PM

Thanks all.

He's a buck. Not large, but I couldn't throw him down - that other leg kept saving him and I couldn't quite lift him over it. He's alone and more than a bit onery. Good to know that they do shear them 2x a year. We have had quite a bit of frost already - upper 30's in the a.m. I thought you would shear them at least in time for it to grow back a bit - not that we are shaving him close. He is in a barn - a leaky, drafty barn. I am sure it's enough to get him out of the weather though.

I am already a memeber of the yahoo group - didn't think of them. Duh....