Shearing 2025
Shearing day arrived in the middle of an icy cold front, making for a frigid but productive morning! With lambing happening earlier this year, we adjusted our schedule to match our new shearer’s preference—shearing bred ewes six weeks before lambing—which landed us on February 15th.
Prepping the Sheep for Shearing
Shearing isn’t just about showing up with clippers—it takes preparation! The night before, the sheep must go off feed for 12-14 hours. This keeps their stomachs empty, making the shearing process more comfortable for them. Another must? Completely dry wool. That can be a challenge in February. For the second year in a row, we had moisture in the forecast the night before shearing, so we set up pens inside our shed to keep the sheep dry. Our barn, while useful, has a few leaky spots, and since the sheep would need to move to the shed for shearing anyway, it made the most sense to keep them there overnight. Thankfully, half of the shed has a dirt floor, which worked perfectly for our setup.
Shearing Day Begins
At 7:30 AM, our shearers—a pair of hardworking brothers—arrived and got to work setting up. By this time, the sheep were making plenty of noise, both from hunger and the sight of me—their shepherd—who usually brings food, not a haircut!
Once the shearers were ready, Lance and one of our sons started pulling the first sheep from the chute. We always set up a small alley leading to a portable chute to keep things calm and organized. The experienced sheep walked in without hesitation, while the newer ones needed a little coaxing.
The Shearing Process
Shearing looks effortless in the hands of experienced shearers, but it's tough work! Some of our larger ones, like Finnsheep wethers and Border Leicesters, take extra effort to maneuver.
Our shearers use a specific technique that moves the sheep in a way that reduces pressure on their bellies—especially important for bred ewes. This method also keeps the sheep calm, making the process smoother for everyone.
As each ewe was finished, I collected the fleece, carefully bagged it, and labeled it with her tag number. I prefer to keep each fleece separate for processing, allowing me to track individual wool quality. When I later skirt the fleeces, I’ll pull wool samples to assess their consistency. If a sheep has had wool breaks or a poor fleece for two or three years in a row, it’s a sign they may not be a great fit for our flock.
A Job Well Done!
In just three hours, all 51 sheep were sheared and ready for breakfast! But with wind chills near -20°F, we had to be extra mindful of their comfort.
The ewes moved into the rock barn with plenty of straw for warmth.
The rams went to a smaller barn with deep bedding and extra hay for insulation.
Normally, the sheep love having their thick coats taken off, but in this weather, they probably would have preferred to keep them a bit longer!
Why Shearing is So Important
Shearing isn’t just about gathering wool—it’s a critical part of flock management. It allows me to:
✔ Assess body condition—Who needs more feed? Who is thriving?
✔ Monitor lambing progress—Which ewes look closest to lambing?
✔ Evaluate fleece quality—Are we seeing the improvements we worked toward?
One of our biggest goals this year was improving winter nutrition for our bred ewes, and I was thrilled to see the results. They looked stronger and healthier than in past years, which should lead to healthier lambs as well!
Looking Ahead
Once the weather warms up in March or April, I’ll begin skirting the fleeces to prepare them for processing at the mill. Skirting can be time-consuming, but it’s rewarding to see the color variations and texture differences in each fleece.
We’re also planning to host a wool skirting class in April—stay tuned for the date!
Shearing day is always a big milestone on the farm. Now, we shift our focus to lambing season and keeping the flock strong through the rest of winter.
