[Dee Dunn]

I have 4 sheep (spinner flock: ramboullet, romney) and may have to shear them myself. They are more "pets" than "sheep" and will stand for vetting without problems. I'm thinking I can sheer them standing - i want to make sure to get the best length staple and least upset to the sheep. (All are veterans at shearing and will lie on their sides with an experienced shearer. If you roll them onto their butts they fight to the death but are fine on their sides.)

I'm looking for advice on electric clippers - slow is fine, used is good, the lighter the better. Do I need the machine part that nails to the wall or is the motor in the part you hold? What is the difference between a shearing head and other heads besides the knob thing? I'm guessing it rotates, but is that critical if I'm not doing speed trials?

Can I shear ramboullet or merino with a 20 tooth blade?

The shearers around here are rough, bloody and/or late.

Thanks in advance.

Dee

 

[Dee Dunn]

Seriously though, you are looking to harvest the wool not prepare the sheep for a debutante ball so what looks rough may be better than neat.

Thank you for the tips - I'm trying to muster up the courage to try my hand on these prizewinning fleeces. When I said the shearers around here were rough, I meant they are needlessly aggressive - slamming the sheep on their butts instead of rolling. I have a sweetheart of a ram with a bad knee and I'm tired of watching them jerk that leg even when I mark it with a bandanna.

I don't mind the tufty look - better that than second cuts for sure, but I won't tolerate abuse.

Thanks again for the info.