[Jacob-list] Shearing Stand

[Jacobflock at aol.com]

Fred Horak here.  We also use the Slydell stand with the 'short neck' head 
rest. I use the Sue Martin Method ..  down the back, then the crutch (toss 
it) then the sides.  I am (or was) six-six or six-seven, weak back, and over 
the speed limit in years.  The satnd is the only way I can do our flock ... 
about 80.  It takes about 30-45 minutes per sheep using a Laser trimmer, 13 
tooth comb and AAA cutter.  If you have concernes about "nicking" you can use 
a 20 tooth goat comb.  I do them all.

We CDT boostered the pregnant ewes (40 ?), then will shear as many as 
possible before birthing dates (for us it starts Feb 24 ? if 148 dyas works). 
 The open ewes (we kept about 20 open) and the rams don't get a CDT booster 
until shearing.  A sheared sheep is 'boostered', has feet trimmed and wormed; 
looked over etc.  

Shearing pregnant ewes prior to lambing is a plus ... at a minimum, crutch.  
Seeing the rear end muscles 'collapsing' and the vulva saves quite a bit of 
guessing.  Lambs find the teat easier, etc. etc.  The rams get sheared, 
trimmed and boostered last and at the rate I do them .. may not get sheared 
until April  ... May.

Fred