Shearer

[arawajo]

I have an old black sheep and the bloke that used to come every year to shear her has retired. Is it possible to shear a sheep without any training?
Or better still - does anyone know a shearer around Gympie way that could shear her for me? I don't know how long a sheep can be left unshorn - any ideas?

[richard in manoa]

I would think that a black sheep would get pretty hot if you let it go too long!
I think if you had someone to help hold it down, at least the first time you tried, you could figure it out by trial and error.
Good luck. :D

[arawajo]

Do you think I could do it with ordinary scissors? I don't have clippers.

[ho-hum]

arawa,

Buy some hand shears either new or secondhand. They are a handy farm implement and are also good for crutching, flystrike and clipping the feet on sheep and goats. I have seen shaggy dogs clipped with these.

Second hand shops etc should have them.

floot

[arawajo]

Thanks for that floot.

I'm reluctant to spend money on shears as this old sheep shouldn't even still be alive! She really should have carked it years ago - I don't know why she keeps on keeping on. I want to gradually get rid of my animals so I can have some freedom. Martin clips the goats nails with a stanley knife so that's all under control. Goat should die of old age soon too!

But - if I see some in a second hand shop I guess I have to buy them. :(