People raise sheep not only for meat, but also for obtaining high-quality wool. Breeders of these animals were bred a lot. And they are all classified into four large groups: fine-wool and semi-fine-wool, coarse-haired and semi-coarse-haired. The answer to the question of how to shear sheep depends to a large extent precisely on which variety the breed grown on the farm belongs to.
At what age are sheep sheared
Representatives of fine-wool and semi-fine-wool rocks usually undergo this procedure for the first time only a year after birth. An exception in this case are those farms where these animals are kept using intensive technology. On such farms, sheep of this group are sheared for the first time most often in 5-6 months. However, in such farms, wool at this age is removed only from lambs born in January or February. In any case, cutting thin-walled belts is allowed only until mid-July. Otherwise, by the next spring, sheep’s wool will not reach marketable length.
Coarse-haired animals in all households were sheared for the first time at the age of 5-6 months. In this case, only well-developed and healthy lambs are chosen for this procedure.
The timing
We will talk about how to cut sheep correctly, below. To begin with, it's worth figuring out when to properly carry out this procedure.
Coarse-haired sheep from fine-fleece differ primarily in that their fur is heterogeneous. But at the same time, hair of such animals grows faster. Therefore, coarse-haired sheep are sheared more often. Typically, representatives of breeds of this group undergo this procedure twice a year - in spring and autumn.
An exception to the general rule in this case is the Romanovsk sheep. The hair in these animals grows very quickly. Therefore, they are sheared in most households three times a year. Additionally, such sheep undergo this procedure in the summer.
In spring, wool is removed from coarse-haired sheep no earlier than steady warm weather sets in. Otherwise, animals can catch a cold later. Farmers who have wondered how to cut their sheep properly should also bear in mind that this procedure should be carried out in spring when the wool in the sheep of this group shrinks. That is, the hair in animals will begin to move relatively easily from the mezra due to the beginning of molting.
Fine-fleeced sheep are sheared, as already mentioned, only once a year - in the spring. A feature of animals of this group is that their fur does not shed. However, too early in the spring such lambs also cannot be cut. After winter, the hair of representatives of fine-wool breeds becomes brittle. Therefore, farmers usually wait until fat is accumulated in the animals' fur coat.
How to shear a sheep: procedure
Sheep shearing begins on farms, usually with a flock of lower class. This is necessary so that the people responsible for this procedure “fill their hand” and remove the wool from the best sheep as efficiently as possible.
Secondarily, on farms, in most cases, winter broodstock is sheared. After that, they switch to spring queens and last year's young. Last of all, trunks and rams are sheared on farms.
Animal preparation
To cut off lambs, according to the technology, only dry wool is allowed. Therefore, in the event that the animals are exposed to rain, the procedure is postponed until they are completely dry.
Immediately before the shearing, the sheep are transferred to the pens and left there without food for 12-14 hours. Starvation is necessary so that later the animals better undergo the removal of wool. In fed sheep, unfortunately, after shearing, intestines often turn around.
Aged animals are brought to the place of the procedure the day before. Responsible persons must, among other things, make sure in advance that all necessary equipment and disinfectants are available at the haircut.
What tools are used
Shearing of both coarse and fine-fleeced sheep can be done using:
large scissors;
special cars.
At the point of the procedure, special wooden floorings are equipped. Next, consider how to shear the sheep correctly with a machine and scissors. In both of these cases, removing the coat in the animal will not be too difficult. However, the technology of the haircut procedure, of course, must be followed exactly.
Shears for sheep wool are usually used in small private farms. With the help of clippers, animals are sheared on large and medium farms. The answer to the question of how to shear sheep with an electric machine and scissors is practically the same technology. However, there are still some nuances in carrying out the procedure in either case.
Operation sequence
The answer to the question of how to cut sheep correctly with a machine is the following technology:
the animal is laid on its left side with its back to itself;
clean wool from large litter;
they cut the ovage, places around the udder, thighs from the inside, front and rear legs;
lay the wool to the side;
cut a strip on the stomach and groin in the direction from the right back to the right front leg;
longitudinal movements from the udder to the chest expose the abdomen;
they turn the sheep over with their belly towards themselves and lay it on their right side;
extend the hind leg and cut the croup, and then the left shoulder blade;
with longitudinal movements remove wool from the lower back, sides and withers;
they again turn the sheep over to its left side and shave it in the same order from the right outer side;
cut the animal’s back;
remove wool from the head and right side of the neck;
raise the head of the animal and cut it and the neck on the left.
At the final stage, they help the sheep to stand up and examine it. All wounds that appear after shearing are treated with a disinfectant.
The answer to the question of how to shear sheep with scissors is about the same technology. But in this case, the procedure must be carried out with an assistant who must hold the animal. After all, with scissors, unlike a typewriter, a sheep or a sheep is very easy to injure.
Wool processing and storage
So, how to shear the sheep correctly, we found out. The procedure is simple, but its order must be followed exactly. But how is wool processed and stored on farms? The material sheared in the sheep is first folded onto a tarp, removed from it manually and by shaking the litter and weighed. Then the wool is sorted, separating low-quality - turnaround, ocher, etc. After that, they start washing the material.
To do this, first prepare a solution in the ratio of 100 g of soap and 50 g of soda to 6 liters of hot water. The resulting composition was diluted with another 8 liters of water and poured into a barrel. Wash the wool, replacing the working solution, three times. Then the material is rinsed in clean water. The washed wool is wrung out and laid out to dry naturally.
The finished material is subsequently laid out usually in bags without pressing. Further, the wool is transported for storage in dry, cool rooms.