Sheep shears are an indispensable tool if you breed these animals for wool. The first scissors were invented more than 4000 years ago. During this time, new devices appeared to fulfill this task. About the main shearing tools and the features of their use, read further in the article.

When, How and Why Shearing Sheep: General Rules

Haircut is carried out in the spring. If you leave the sheep in fur coats for the summer, then they will suffer from overheating . In addition, the likelihood of heat stroke increases. Long sheep's wool gets dirty, and from contact with the soil the likelihood of infection with parasites increases. When cutting, it is imperative to separate new and clean wool from contaminated.

Haircut preparation:

1. Do not use insecticides and antiparasitic agents for 6 weeks before cutting.
2. Remove all foreign matter from the wool: leaves, seeds, pieces of wire.
3. Do not label sheep with coloring compounds before shearing.
4. Do not feed animals the day before. So it will be easier for you to cut them.

Important! Immediately after shearing, it is necessary to prevent lice and other skin parasites, since sheep are most vulnerable at that moment. When cutting, remember ear tags, nipples, and other places where you need to carefully use scissors. It is necessary to cut quickly and efficiently so as not to harm the animal. After the procedure, place the sheep in the paddock to help them adapt.

Shearing of lambs occurs as wool grows. If the pile length is more than 4 cm, then you can cut it. Estimated terms for cutting lambs - the end of spring or the beginning of 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 carry out a haircut if the street is too hot, because animals can get a sunburn. The optimum air temperature for the procedure is +17 ... + 23 ° C.

How to choose a scissors

Mowing is a specialized skill and requires the ability to mow a herd without cuts or injuries. If you have never cut animals, it would be better to invite a specialist who knows how to do it.

Before the advent of electric scissors (until about the 1880s), sheep were sheared with hand shears. In some countries of the world where electricity is limited, sheep are still sheared.

What to look for when buying

When choosing scissors, pay attention to the following factors:

1. The power of the electrical unit must be at least 500 watts. Such a tool will allow you to process several individuals without a break. But a less powerful unit will burn out from overheating or you will have to interrupt frequently to let it cool.
2. Pay attention to the warranty period. Since the blades are dull in operation, it is important to understand how long the device actually works.
3. Pay attention to 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.
4. The weight of the scissors is just as important as the comfort of holding the handle during operation. A heavy device is inconvenient during prolonged use, so get 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 this can be done very quickly.

Price

Budget models cost about 5, 000 rubles. These are clippers with an engine power of about 300–350 W and a weight of 1–1.5 kg. The price of better or brand models will be higher by 2000-4000 rubles. So, a tool with a power of 520 W, with the ability to adjust pressure and weighing 1.4 kg, costs 7000–8000 rubles.

Such devices have an integrated cooling system, which allows you to work without interruption for a long time. According to the manufacturer, knife sharpening is enough to handle 100 animals. The cost of scissors can range from 700 to 2000 rubles. High-quality models of the German company Berger can cost more than 3000 rubles.

Mechanical scissors

By design, mechanical manual scissors can be:

• single;
• double.

Important! No matter which tool is used, clippers should be kept clean to prevent the spread of disease among animals. The first are the simplest. They resemble ordinary ones, with 2 cutting edges. In order to cut stiff lamb hair, they must be well sharpened. And in order not to injure the animals, skill and ability to work with the tool for a long time are needed. In ancient times, to make it more convenient to work, sheep were sheared and then sheared.

Single

The blades of most models are made of steel. Its advantages, as a material, are its long-lasting sharpening 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 conventional scissors. The cutting surfaces overlap each other when the cutter squeezes them together and cuts off the wool next to the skin of the animal.

Handles of single models are connected by a rounded metal plate. Previously, in order to cut off the hair, it was necessary to use physical force. The oldest way to work is with single scissors. Now a similar type of activity exists in the UK and Australia as a sports event. This is an interesting show, but it’s better to use electric tools for a real herding.

Double

Double models differ from single models in that the handles are connected by 2 heart-shaped plates. This design feature allows you to reduce the physical effort exerted when cutting.

Hand shears leave a little wool on the sheep, and this is best for animals in cold climates and in high mountains. There it is advisable to use a mechanical tool, rather than electric cars.

Important! The more comfortable the sheep is during shearing, the less she will kick and the easier it will be to shear.

Features of a manual haircut

Before you begin to cut, animals are collected in a pen. It is advisable to keep sheep, rams and lambs in different groups. Before the procedure, the coat must be dry and clean. This will reduce waste and minimize discomfort for livestock.

There are several positions in which you can cut the animal. The main thing is to gently topple the sheep on its back, and then fix the shoulder girdle between the knees to hold the animal.

Begin to cut from the abdomen. There, the wool is the dirtiest and not suitable for sale. Then process the sternum and sides. It is necessary to remember the nipples of the animal, and in order not to shave them, you should cover them with your hand in the process of work. Then process the inside of the hind legs. The last to cut the neck and chin.

disadvantages

The disadvantage of a manual haircut is that for work you need to have the strength and skill to do it quickly . The speed will also be lower than when using a power tool. In addition, there is a high probability of injury to the animal. Learn how to process sheep skin and sheep wool.

Electric scissors: pros and cons

Sheep are quite restless pets, and they won’t wait until you cut them, so, in addition to electric scissors, special stands were also invented to help keep the animal in a comfortable position. Stands are easily adjustable and suitable for animals of any size. They reduce your efforts and the risk of injury.

Electric shears 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 scallop, the pricing policy of the brand. Pay attention to the teeth of the comb: the more they are, the closer the skin is cut to the skin.

Did you know? The World Shearing Championship is held in different countries every 2 to 3 years. The first time it was held at the Bath & West exhibition complex in England, in 1977. And the first winner in the field of haircuts was Roger Cox from New Zealand.

The incisors will periodically become dull, so you need to pay attention to how many haircuts they are designed for. This information will necessarily be in the product description. Cutters can be purchased separately in order 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 of work;
• convenience for the farmer and animals.

Further advantages and disadvantages should be considered within the framework of specific models. Engine power of 300 watts is considered low. This slows the cutting process and leads to overheating of the device. The absence of a cooling system on such a model would be a drawback. But this does not mean that such a system is absent in all tools without exception. Knives made of steel 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 for work. The room should be clean and desirable, so that the lighting is bright. Did you know? First, white animals are sheared, leaving black at the end of the haircut. This is necessary so that black fibers do not accidentally fall into 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 subsequent sheep. Be sure to follow safety instructions. Sharpen scissors after each haircut. This will take approximately 30-60 seconds between the sheep.

How to sharpen shearing shears for sheep

The point of sharpening is to get a sharp edge. Sharp shearing scissors facilitate the work, reducing the effort of the hands. Before you begin, pay attention to the factory grinding 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, sharpen it so as not to create a gap.

Video: Shearing a Sheep

A sharpening stone is suitable for sharpening. Lubricate it with soapy water or oil. Lubricant for sewing machines perfectly helps in solving this problem. Sharpening on such a stone will allow you to maintain a smooth edge and get a thin sharp edge.

Open the scissors completely. Move the stone from the outside to the inside. Be sure to observe the angle of sharpening. It should be about 80 degrees. Checking the quality of grinding is easy. Take a wet newspaper and try to cut it. If you succeeded, then the cutting surfaces are sharpened as needed.

If shearing sheep correctly and with a good tool, they will feel comfortable . If injuries occur, they must be treated with hydrogen peroxide and a hemostatic agent. If you just have to purchase a tool, then pay attention to the main signs of quality models and consider this when buying.