To Shear Or Not To Shear

The results from our second season of lambing were an improvement over our first.  Either we are getting better with this sheep stuff or the sheep are getting use to our still neophyte skill level.

Nevertheless, we had losses but the losses were less than those we had experienced during our maiden year.  We are extremely thankful.  In reality, the fittest ewes/lambs are the ones that survive.



Some lambs like to get a better view 'piggyback' atop a ewe...any ewe.

Now, Glenn decided to try something new with our flock.

 

Sheep do not like HOT weather.  Our sheep are hair sheep.  Normally, they do not get sheared like the wool-type.  The thicker winter hair coat supposedly sheds naturally.  For some sheep it does, and for others it does not. 

 

The sheep that retain this dense hair layer, which looks like and is called a ‘cape’, are the most adversely affected by the heat.  So, this year, Glenn decided to have the heavy-coated ewes and ram sheared.

Glenn found a young farmer who does shearing on the side.  



Becky's job was to move the sheep through the chute...see her in the chute?

Last Saturday, the sheep were corralled and paraded through the chute.  Only those that had tight capes were sheared.  Those whose capes were loose and in varying degrees of falling off were spared the shears.  Twenty-three ewes and Winky, our ram, were clipped. 

 

Winky under the shears.

All of Winky’s identifying male hair was removed.  His huge fluffy mane, his long beard - gone!  Now, I really have to look hard, as between his back legs, to recognize him from the ewes.  Winky has been a calm ram. Nonetheless,   I remain on guard whenever I walk out into the pasture.

Winky's hoofed being clipped.  Look...no beard or mane.

Several of the ewes had their overgrown hoofs clipped as well. 

 

Within three hours, that pile of hair was quite large.  Drew barely broke a sweat.  And, we already asked  to get on his list for next year. 

 

I am sure our sheep appreciate this extra attention. 

A happy ewe is a live ewe.  And, we like happy ewes.