Sheep shearing shears are an indispensable tool if you breed these animals for wool. The first scissors were invented over 4000 years ago. During this time, new devices have appeared to perform this task. Read about the main shearing tools and the features of their use later in the article.
When, how and why sheep are sheared: general rules
Haircut is carried out in the spring. If you leave sheep in fur coats for the summer, they will suffer from overheating.. It also increases the risk of heat stroke. Long sheep’s wool gets dirty, and contact with the ground increases the likelihood of infection with parasites. When cutting, it is imperative to separate the new and clean wool from the contaminated one.
Haircut preparation:
- Do not use insecticides and antiparasitic agents for 6 weeks before cutting.
- Remove all foreign inclusions from the wool: leaves, seeds, pieces of wire.
- Do not mark sheep with dyes before shearing.
- Do not feed the animals the day before. This will make it easier for you to cut them.
Important! Immediately after shearing, it is necessary to carry out the prevention of lice and other skin parasites, since sheep are most vulnerable at this moment.
When cutting, be aware of ear tags, nipples, and other areas where scissors must be used carefully. You need to cut quickly and efficiently so as not to harm the animal. After the procedure, place the sheep in a paddock to help them adjust.
Lamb shearing occurs as the wool grows. If the length of the pile is more than 4 cm, then you can cut it. Estimated time for shearing lambs is late spring or early summer.
Some breeds of sheep are sheared 2 times a year: in spring and early autumn. These are the so-called coarse-haired breeds. It is not recommended to trim if it is too hot outside, as the animals can get sunburned. The optimal air temperature for the procedure is + 17 … + 23 ° С.
How to choose scissors
Shearing is a specialized skill and requires skill to shear a flock without cuts or injury. If you have never sheared animals, then it would be better to invite a specialist who knows how to do this.
Before the advent of electric shears (until about the 1880s), sheep were sheared with hand shears. In some parts of the world where electricity is limited, sheep are still sheared with them.
What to look for when buying
When choosing scissors, pay attention to the following factors:
- The power of the electrical unit must be at least 500 watts. Such a tool will allow you to process several individuals without interruption. But a less powerful unit will burn out from overheating or you will have to interrupt often to cool it down.
- Pay attention to the warranty period. Since the blades become dull in operation, it is important to understand how long the device will actually work.
- Pay attention to the products of leading brands. And the point is not only in its higher quality, but also in the fact that you can always purchase accessories for the tool.
- The weight of the scissors is just as important as the comfort of holding the handle while working. A heavy device is inconvenient during prolonged use, so purchase the lightest model you like.
Did you know? The bulky fleece reduces the mobility of the sheep.
The type of scissors purchased does not affect the quality of cutting. The main thing is that it is convenient for you to cut and it can be done very quickly.
Price
Budget models cost about 5000 rubles. These are clippers with an engine power of about 300–350 W and a weight of 1–1,5 kg. The price for higher quality or branded models will be higher by 2000–4000 rubles. So, a tool with a power of 520 W, with the ability to adjust pressure and a weight of 1,4 kg costs 7000-8000 rubles.
Such devices have a built-in cooling system, which allows you to work without interruption for a long time. According to the manufacturer, the sharpening of knives is enough to process 100 animals.
The cost of scissors can range from 700 to 2000 rubles. High-quality models of the German company Berger can cost over 3000 rubles.
Mechanical hand scissors
By design, mechanical hand scissors can be:
- single;
- double.
Important! No matter what tool is used, clippers must be kept clean to prevent the spread of disease to animals.
The first ones are the simplest. They resemble ordinary ones, with 2 cutting edges. In order to cut tough mutton hair, they must be well sharpened. And in order not to injure animals, you need skill and the ability to work with the tool for a long time. In ancient times, to make it more convenient to work, sheep were hobbled and then sheared.
Single
The blades of most models are made of steel. Its advantages as a material are its long-lasting sharpness and hardness. They allow you to work with both soft types of wool and coarser ones.. The length of the blades is about 30 cm. The cutting edges are made in the form of knives and are located in the same way as with ordinary scissors. The cutting surfaces overlap as the carver presses them together and cuts away the hair next to the animal’s skin.
Handles of single models are connected by a rounded metal plate. Previously, in order to cut the wool, it was necessary to use physical force.
The oldest way of working is with single scissors. Now a similar type of activity exists in the UK and Australia as a sporting event. It’s an interesting show, but for real herd shearing, it’s better to use power tools.
Double
Double models differ from single ones in that the handles are connected by 2 heart-shaped plates. This design feature allows you to reduce the physical effort applied when cutting.
Hand shears leave some wool on the sheep, which is better for animals in colder climates and in high mountain areas. There it is advisable to use a mechanical tool, and not electric machines.
Important! The more comfortable a sheep is during shearing, the less it will kick and the easier it will be to shear it.
Features of a manual haircut
Before you start shearing, the animals are collected in a corral. It is advisable to keep sheep, rams and lambs in separate groups. Before the procedure, the hair must be dry and clean. This will reduce waste and minimize discomfort to the livestock.
There are several positions in which you can cut the animal. The main thing is to gently tip the sheep on its back, and then fix the shoulder girdle between the knees to hold the animal.
They start cutting from the stomach. There wool is the dirtiest and not suitable for sale. Then the sternum and sides are treated. You need to remember about the nipples of the animal, and in order not to shave them off, you should cover them with your hand during work. Then they process the inside of the hind legs. The last to cut off the neck and chin.
Disadvantages
The disadvantage of manual cutting is that that for work you need to have the strength and skill to do it quickly. The speed of work will also be lower than when using a power tool. In addition, the likelihood of injury to the animal is high.
Electric scissors: pros and cons
Sheep are quite restless pets, and they won’t wait until you cut them, therefore, in addition to electric scissors, special stands have also been invented to help keep the animal in a comfortable position. The stands are easily adjustable and are suitable for animals of all sizes. They reduce your effort and the risk of injury.
Electric scissors consist of three main parts:
- tip;
- combs;
- knives.
Electric scissors are equipped with an electric motor. Its power can be 300-500 watts. Estimated cost – from 5000 to 9000 rubles. The price is affected by engine power, the number of teeth on the comb, the brand’s pricing policy. Pay attention to the teeth of the comb: the more there are, the closer the hair is cut to the skin.
Did you know? The World Sheep Shearing Championship is held in a different country every 2–3 years. The first time it was held at Bath & West in England, in 1977. And the first machine cut winner was Roger Cox from New Zealand.
The incisors will become dull from time to time, so you need to pay attention to how many haircuts they are designed for. This information must be in the product description. Cutters can be purchased separately to replace dull ones. Their cost is about 1000 rubles. The combs are also removable and you can always buy one that is suitable for a particular breed of wool.
- Advantages of electric scissors:
- high speed;
- convenience for the farmer and animals.
Further advantages and disadvantages should be considered within specific models. Engine power of 300 W is considered low. This slows down the cutting process and causes the device to overheat. The absence of a cooling system on such a model would be a disadvantage. But this does not mean that such a system is absent in all instruments without exception. Steel knives can last a long time, but the number of haircuts for which they are designed is individual for each model.
Instructions for use and care
Before starting work, you need to check the tool: sharpen scissors or install new knives on an electric machine. It is advisable to prepare 2 sets of tools in case one fails. Then you should prepare a place to work. The room should be clean and it is desirable that the lighting be bright.
Did you know? First, white animals are sheared, leaving black ones for the end of the haircut. This is necessary so that the black fibers do not accidentally get into the white wool and do not spoil its quality.
Wipe the knives with alcohol to disinfect. This is a mandatory procedure at the beginning of work and before shearing each next sheep. Be sure to follow the safety regulations. Sharpen your scissors after every cut. This will take approximately 30-60 seconds between sheep.
How to sharpen sheep shearing shears
The point of sharpening is to get a sharp edge. Sharp shearing scissors make work easier by reducing hand effort. Before you start, pay attention to the factory sharpening angle. When closing the cutting edges, there should be no gap between them. This is a prerequisite for quality work. If the edge is thinned, then sharpen it so as not to create a gap.
Video: Shearing sheep with scissors
A whetstone is suitable for sharpening. Lubricate it with soapy water or oil. Sewing machine lubricant helps a lot with this task. Sharpening on such a stone will allow you to keep a smooth edge and get a thin sharp edge.
Open the scissors fully. Move the stone from the outside to the inside. Be sure to observe the sharpening angle. It should be around 80 degrees. It is easy to check the quality of sharpening. Take a wet newspaper and try to cut it. If you succeeded, then the cutting surfaces are sharpened as needed.
If you shear sheep correctly and with a good tool, then they will feel comfortable. If injuries occur, they must be treated with hydrogen peroxide and a hemostatic agent. If you are just about to purchase a tool, then pay attention to the main features of high-quality models and consider this when buying.
