Projects and Activities:
Services: Sheep, Goat, Llama, and Alpaca Shearing

Shearing Methods and Preparation

Shearing Home | Shearing Methods & Preparation for Shearing | Schedule a Shearing Date | Pricing

Farmer Anne shearing Parsnip the sheep, resident at Star Gazing Farm

Sheep: I normally shear sheep using the New Zealand method (animal on the ground), but I can also bring a shearing stand and can shear the animal standing, if need be.

Goats: I have shorn goats New Zealand method and on shearing stands; however, the best way has proven to be the same method as shearing alpacas - on the mat, with feet tied. This allows the best fiber to come off easily with skin stretched. I use a 20 tooth comb on goats which makes nicking very unusual.

Alpacas: I use the the Pro-Tie shearing restraint with a thick mat, and shear the animal on the ground. Two helpers are required for this process. If you are unable to provide helpers, I can bring one assistant with me at the cost of $12 per hour (including travel time).

Llamas: I normally shear llamas standing up. You will need to place a halter and have a lead rope available for the llama. One helper is required to ensure that both shearer and animal are kept safe.

How do you prepare for shearing?

IMPORTANT! For sheep and goats, remove all feed the night before shearing.
Ensure that your animal is not wet from the rain.
Collect the animals in one enclosed CLEAN and dry area without bedding or straw for easy access to the shearing area.
I disinfect mats and put clean blades on equipment for each farm. Biological security precautions are very important when travelling from farm to farm. I ask you to please inform me if your animals have any known infectious disease (such as CL or footrot) so that I may take extra care to prevent any spread of bacteria or germs.
Please tell me in advance if you are aware that your animal has any tumors, lumps, surgery scars, dewlaps, or areas of skin that require special care.

I do not recommend administering shots or worm medicine at the same time that an animal is sheared. Shearing is a stressful experience, and the adrenaline in the system can either negate the value of the vaccine, and/or cause unwanted reactions in the animal.

If I am required to wait for or assist in animals being rounded up, a charge of $25 per hour will be added. I nearly always work at multiple farms in one day, and rely on you to have your flocks organized and ready for the job to be done so that I can take care of all the animals on my docket for the day. Thank you!

Sheep being shorn. It's not so bad after all!

Shearing Environment

You need to provide:

A clean, enclosed, well-lit flat area, with minimal loose vegetable matter (hay, pine shavings) on the ground.
A safe area where there are no loose animals or small children.
A rake or broom to clean up the shearing area after each animal.
For sheep and goats: one person to assist with moving animals and closing gates.
For alpacas and llamas: two people to assist with restraint and head holding.
Bags to collect wool if you plan to keep it (I can bring bags to haul away wool you do not want).
A notebook for your own record keeping.
I require that the owner or animal caretaker be present during the entire shearing process. Why?
- If something happens either to the animal or to the shearer, I need someone on hand to help.
- The shearing process uncovers many conditions that have been hidden by fleece over the winter months. Owners need to be able to examine the animals for wounds, scars, tumors, and overall body condition.

Disclaimer & Exclusions

Shearing involves using a set of sharp, fast-moving cutting shears and the danger of cuts on both animal and shearer is ever-present. Shearing is, however, a necessary activity to maintain the health of your animals. Should I cut myself during the process of shearing for you, I will not expect you to pay my medical bills. Likewise, should your animal be accidentally cut during shearing, it will be your responsibility to determine whether veterinary care is needed and to provide it.

I do not shear:

in weather that is over 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
outside in the rain and/or in a wet environment
alone

If I are not in your area, or are unavailable to help you, please check with the American Sheep Industry Association's online shearers database or contact me for a referral of other excellent shearers in your area.

What about the wool?

I can help you skirt the fiber, and will be able to give you a brief assessment of the fiber's condition, although I recommend that you send it to a professional mill for evaluation and processing. If you do not want the fiber, I are happy to take it away for you and can provide a tax-deductible receipt from Star Gazing Farm. Your animal spent a year growing it and we use any fiber donated to us in our rugs program.