Sheep's wool is a high-quality natural material. Its properties are unique, it has no analogues. The history of the development of mankind indicates that since ancient times, people used sheep wool for a variety of needs. She was received and is obtained by shearing the sheep’s hairline.
General characteristics of the rune
Sheep wool is considered the most valuable sheep product. The breeds of these animals are usually divided into fine-wool, half-fine, coarse-haired, semi-coarse-haired. Modern methods of shearing sheep allow you to get excellent quality wool, which is much more in demand than sheep meat.
Thin-fleece and semi-fine-fleece sheep breeds are the sources of the most popular rune of light industry (fleece - sheared sheep’s wool). Representatives of these breeds are sheared only once a year. An important condition is the establishment of the fact - the sheared wool will have a length of 3-3.5 cm.
At present, the merino sheep, a fine-fleeced breed bred in Spain in the XII century, which provided prosperity to this state for two whole centuries, is most common as a source of high-quality rune.
Choice of a haircut period
Shearing of sheep is usually carried out in the spring. Young animals born in winter (from January to March) are usually sheared in the summer, maintaining the parameters of the standard length of the coat.
Sheep shearing in the spring is diverse in terms of time. It is directly dependent on the climatic zone, the condition of the sheep, their coat. In the southern regions, sheep are sheared in late April - early May. In other latitudes, the procedure is usually transferred to mid-late May, when warm weather is established.
The main parameters of the beginning of the haircut is the amount of fat (the fat is a fat-like substance contained in sheep’s wool, which is formed due to the combination of secretions of sweat and sebaceous glands of the animal). In winter, the fat loss of sheep is not enough, as a result of this their coat is stiff and dry. Therefore, you need to wait for the fleece to acquire softness and elasticity, allowing you to maintain the optimal condition of the coat when shearing sheep.
However, they try not to delay the deadlines. With the onset of warmer, hot weather on the pastures appears burdock and other herbs that cling to the hairs of sheep’s wool. The process of their removal is quite laborious, and the quality of the material being cut is reduced.
Cutting individual breeds
Sheep of semi-coarse and coarse-haired breeds molt in the spring. Therefore, sheep farmers need to carefully monitor to determine when they will begin the process of browning (browning - thinning of woolen hair). This time is the best, the cutting process is quite simple, the fleece is separated without much effort.
Coarse-haired sheep are sheared twice a year, semi-coarse sheep 3-4 times a year. Sheep of these breeds must be eliminated from the wool, even if it is of poor quality and cannot be used. Otherwise, they will suffer from hot weather, which will lead to a deterioration in appetite, a delay in weight gain.
Coarse and semi-coarse-haired breeds are sheared in the same way as fine-fleeced sheep are sheared, according to the same rules.
Lambs are sheared for the first time when they reach the age of 4-5 months.
How to cut?
Since ancient times, sheep were sheared manually. Ancient sheep farmers used special scissors for this. Their shape has not changed until now. Their distinguishing feature is a convenient grip for hand grip. At the same time, their shearing is not fast, but of high quality, with minimal injury to the sheep. Moreover, the blades on these scissors are easy to sharpen.
And now in those farms where flocks of sheep are small, manual labor is preferable. However, large livestock require the use of mechanized methods of cutting, which implies the use of special machines.
Process
Sheep shearing is usually carried out in a separate room. It should be dry and bright. They prepare special floorings, tables, and tarp to prevent the loss of wool.
The process of cutting is carried out in a certain sequence, in several stages:
- the animal is laid with its back to the master on its left side;
- the surface of the body of the sheep removes dirt;
- then they cut the ochoste, making passages around the udder, the nipples hide behind their hands. Then from the inner surface of the thighs and legs shreds of wool are removed, which are deposited separately;
- in one pass, a continuous strip of wool is removed between the right pair of legs and inguinal folds. It usually moves from the back to the front;
- the sheep’s chest and stomach are trimmed with longitudinal lines that start from the lower abdomen or from the udder;
- then the animal is flipped to the other side. The master becomes a face to his stomach, and the croup undergoes a haircut with a gradual movement to the left shoulder blade;
- Further, continuous longitudinal passages cut the withers, lateral surface, lower back. All movements go to the spine. The sheep is fixed so that the sheared wool falls to the floor by gravity;
- then the sheep is again laid on its side, the left, while the master changes his position, becoming facing the animal’s stomach;
- after that they cut out the right shoulder blade, croup, completely right side, back by means of longitudinal long passages;
- then the head, neck on the right side, perpendicular to the spine, are cut. Having lifted a head, process its left side;
- the resulting rune layer is moved away from the ram.
At the end of the process, the sheep is put on its feet and escorted outside the place of shearing.
Working with scissors is similar to a machine haircut. However, when using the machine, care must be taken to ensure that its comb is always in contact with the skin, not lingering in one place. Otherwise, cuts are formed that reduce the quality of the rune.
Recommendations
Experienced hair cutting experts advise father to use the recommendations and advice developed in practice, which include the following:
- Sheep, with the maximum degree of fatness, cut much easier. Their fleece is well saturated with grease, the surface of the body is dense, even. Those sheep that are not well-fed have an uneven hull relief, their coat is loose and dry.
- 1-2 months before the start of the haircut, it is recommended to carry out a preliminary haircut. It is designed to clean the fleece from contamination, contributes to a lower investment of time later, with the main haircut. A preliminary procedure is recommended in order to ensure the safety of the machines. She minimizes their work then with complex wool, leading to damage to parts. Those who will shear the sheep with scissors get rid of the need to sharpen them often.
- Sheep is not fed before shearing. Under the stress that animals undergo when shearing, incidents with the gastrointestinal tract are possible, which can lead to serious consequences, inversion of the intestines and death. Without food, it is necessary to keep animals for more than 12 hours.
- It is necessary to spread the cropped fleece on a flat surface, upside down, and clean it of dirt. It must be stored minimized, avoiding contact of the inside with the outside.
- After the animals have been shorn, it is recommended that they be kept close to the covered premises. Do not take them to a distant pasture, so that they do not fall under inclement weather. Sheep is especially vulnerable after shearing. Sharp temperature fluctuations, cold winds, precipitation can significantly damage her immunity.
Useful Tips
Experienced specialists, masters advise to be calm and confident before starting a haircut. Sheep and sheep feel the mood of a person. If he is nervous, then the animal, sensing his condition, will break out, twitch.
It is recommended to first shear the ewes, then the lambs (young ones are sheared just like ordinary sheep are sheared), and sheared with sheep.
It is proposed to get two assistants before the haircut. The first is responsible for keeping the animal, the second - for the assembly and sorting of wool. Moreover, teamwork significantly speeds up the process, facilitates it.
Animals that will be slaughtered for meat must be disposed of two or three months before slaughter. They are sheared in the same way as sheep not intended for slaughter are sheared. This is done so that the wool grows and the skin removed from the killed animal skin (sheepskin) retains its fur qualities.
Before shearing, the sheep are inspected to determine the priority. Animals in which the coat is wet are placed in conditions that ensure its drying.
A prerequisite for the places where the haircut will take place is the absence of drafts. Near the haircut should be located means for treating animal wounds.
If the process will take place in an open area, then it should be on a raised platform, with no drafts. The ground must be covered with a dense fabric (tarpaulin). It is advisable to equip it with a canopy to protect it from direct sunlight.
Haircut Methods
As noted above, sheep are sheared in two ways: manual - using special scissors; mechanical - with the use of clippers.
The first method is time-stretched. However, shearing can cut the hair as close to the skin as possible, increasing its length.
The use of a mechanical method (a manual clipper) greatly facilitates labor and increases productivity. The fleece is obtained evenly trimmed, the animal suffers less. However, the machine before this must be correctly adjusted, check the tip of the knives and treated with an antiseptic.
Shearing machine for sheep is of two types - mechanical and electrical. The first is the same scissors that have improved blades and a comfortable grip. Electric is similar in shape to the apparatus with which human hair is cut.
Currently, preference is given to electric cars, since mechanical devices are considered disposable, more often break down. They speed up the cutting process by not much.
Choosing an electric car
In order to choose the best electric shearing machine for sheep, you need to get an idea of the parameters. Properly selected devices are able to cope with woolen tangles, eliminate shortcomings in work. When purchasing them, it is recommended to pay attention to the following characteristics:
- Power. This parameter is important if you are cutting a large herd. Power determines the speed of work, the number of sheep to be processed in one session. If the livestock is up to 50 sheep, then devices with a power of up to 220 watts are usually suitable. More powerful ones are expensive and do not always pay off. A machine with a power of 320 watts or more is purchased for large farms. Manufacturers on the packaging, in the instructions for the product indicate how many animals can be processed in one season.
- Warranty period. A manual sheep shearing machine is not a consumer product. This is a narrowly targeted piece goods. As a result, service centers that are able to service and repair them are difficult to find. Typically, well-known brands give a guarantee for 12-18 months, which implies at least 4-6 haircuts.
- Consumables and spare parts. Cars operate in difficult conditions, sooner or later they will break down, fail. As a result, it is cheaper to replace a broken element than to buy the whole device. Some manufacturers, in order to meet consumers, produce the necessary, often out of order parts.
- Service. Sheep shearing machines should be regularly cleaned, lubricated, and individual elements replaced. If the design is complex, then this implies contacting specialists in service centers. The simplicity of the device allows you to maintain the device yourself, saving money and time.
- Circuit breakers. During operation, overheating of the machine is frequent. If it is not equipped with an overload fuse, then the likelihood that it will burn is high.
- Knives for sheep shears. Their condition, the quality of the metal is the main characteristic of the sheep shearing machine. The blades should be chipped, sharp, straight. Improper sharpening will cause injury to the sheep and damage to the coat. If the manufacturer puts interchangeable knives in the package, this is an additional plus to the acquisition of this model.
- Noise level. Sheep are fearful animals. A sharp noise can cause them to panic, which will be transmitted to the entire flock. It is very difficult to work with a twitching animal that intends to flee. It must be remembered that machines that emit sound up to 80 decibels are perceived as a working silent vacuum cleaner. Those that make sounds of 90 decibels or more are comparable to a running motorcycle engine. These are likely to scare the sheep.
- Producing country. The best producers include, according to the masters of shearing, - the USA, Russia, Germany, Switzerland. Currently, China also produces successful models. The reliability of all of them is confirmed by time. However, the cost of many devices is high, not always affordable. The price of quality devices starts at 15,000 rubles.