Shearing by hand or with a machine: this collection contains the two basic tools for those who shear or tidy up their own sheep. The range is deliberately small. There is one cordless sheep shearing machine, the Clipster FarmClipper, and classic heart-shaped hand shears.
Machine or shears: how to choose
- Number of sheep: for one or two sheep a year, hand shears and patience will do. With more animals, a machine saves hours of work and gives a more even result.
- Location: a cordless machine has no cable, so you do not depend on a power socket in the field or shed.
- Purpose: if you only want to keep the back end and tail area clean between shearings, hand shears are often handier than getting the machine out.
Caring for blades and comb
A blunt blade pulls at the wool and makes the sheep restless. Clear the comb and cutter of lanolin and dirt after every sheep, and oil the machine according to the manufacturer's manual. Keep hand shears sharp with a whetstone and dry them after use, so they do not rust. Only shear sheep with dry wool; moisture makes shearing harder and clogs the comb faster.
Points to note
Sheep shearing is a skill. If you are doing it for the first time, you will benefit from a course or an afternoon watching an experienced shearer. With the battery, pay attention to charging time, and with a larger flock consider taking a second battery, so you do not come to a halt halfway.
For cattle and horse models from the same manufacturer, see shearing machines for sheep and livestock. Care sprays and advice on shearing time are in sheep skin and fleece. Shearing is a good moment to check the feet too: see foot care. The full sheep overview is in everything for your sheep.
Frequently asked questions
Will a cordless shearing machine do a whole flock?
That depends on the battery capacity and the fleece. With a larger flock, an extra battery is handy; see Clipster's product information.
Do I need hand shears if I have a machine?
Many keepers keep a pair to hand to tidy the back end or tail area in between.
How do I keep the blades sharp?
Clean them after every sheep, oil the machine according to the manual and have blades sharpened once they start to pull at the wool.