[Jacob-list] Crutching

[Paul and Kate Survis]

I just finished the crutching process...I am already sore.  8 ewes was a lot for me, and they all needed their CDT and Selinium. Lots of kneeling and bending.  I just put them in a homemade squeeze chute, haltered them to avoid another black eye, and trimmed with the scissors.  For the fine work around the udder and such I can't handle those big sheep shears!!!  Most of them were fine with the experience.  The ewe lambs weren't so sure this was a good idea.  Last year I had a lamb who had trouble nursing until I got in there and cleaned off all the long wool and tags, and I want to avoid that experience this year.  I am sure there will be another lesson to learn the hard way though!! I hope to start lambing in 10 days...or sooner depending on how the ewes feel..All except one were bagged up already!
Kate Barrett
Ruby Peak Jacobs
    -----Original Message-----
    From: Robvcas at aol.com <Robvcas at aol.com>
    To: jacob-list <jacob-list at jacobsheep.com>
    Date: Sunday, January 28, 2001 6:18 PM
    Subject: [Jacob-list] Crutching
    
    
    I'm planning to trim the "business end" of my ewes before lambing, and 
    wondered if anyone has any advice before I start.  After two years of clumsy 
    shearing, I'm sure I can manage, but would appreciate any practical tips.   
    I've gone through the books and understand the concept but I'm not sure where 
     to start and how to work around the udder.  Some of my ewes have very heavy 
    wool down the back legs, making it impossible to check their developement at 
    a glance.  Any practical advice would be helpful.  Robin Casasanto 
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