Shearing
IT'S SHEARING TIME AGAIN!
by Chris & Susan Lehner, Champion Alpacas
The season for alpaca
shearing is upon us once again. If you want to ensure a happy bunch
of alpacas, then a proactive mindset is necessary. It will make the
task a simpler one, and your four-legged critters will love you for
it. Whether you take on the role of
hairdresser yourself or hire a professional to do the shearing, a
few simple tips will help create the best experience.
PREP YOUR ALPACAS FOR A GOOD SHEARING
With that proactive mindset in gear, settle the alpacas in a clean
pasture one month prior to shearing. If you're pressed for time,
two to three weeks should be adequate. It's also important to keep
animals away from areas that are contaminated with excessive
vegetation, such as weeds, and also to avoid a lot of water and mud.
The alpacas must be dry a few days before-and on-shearing day.
Avoid feeding the alpacas loose hay or pellets on the morning of
shearing-a little dieting is helpful here. If they are on pasture,
however, that's okay.
If your
alpacas are really dirty, excess dirt and debris should be cleaned
off. If a blower is used to do the job-and this is particularly
important if it's done just prior to shearing-blow gently. For
starters, you don't want to frighten the alpacas. More important,
you don't want to disturb the fleece, so treat the architecture-the
alpaca's crimp and lock structure-with care.
On shearing day, make the job easier by penning all the alpacas near
the area where they will be sheared. Sort them by color-starting
with white or your lightest shade, and ending with your darkest.
Create a written ledger to catalog the shearing order by color.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
Before
the actual shearing begins, remember to gather histogram samples.
Clip a two-inch square section from the side of the alpaca-he won't
even know it's missing-and place the fibers in a small plastic
sandwich bag. Use a small label to record the following
information:
-
Name of alpaca
-
Registration number
-
Breed
-
Sex
-
Age
-
Date sample was taken
These samples can be sent to
Ian Watt, Alpaca
Consulting (OFDA 2000 testing),
Yocum-McColl or Olds College in
Canada.
GET THE SHEARS OUT
When you're ready to get the real work underway, the following tips
will create a more effective shearing process:
Keep the floor-or tarp, if you're using one-clean. Use 110V for the
shears, and be sure to sweep up all debris after each
shearing-remember, a clean environment fosters a positive attitude.
It's okay to work on a concrete floor, but keep in mind that such a
surface increases the risk of an alpaca losing its footing and
slipping. Pay close attention to ensure that there are no
accidents.
Be sure to have adequate shade and ventilation with good lighting
and clean surface areas to place fleece for skirting and sorting. If
you do not have a skirting table, one can be made easily and
inexpensively. Sweeping up excess fiber in between shearings is
essential.
Keep all alpacas waiting to be shorn in their holding pen. Don't
forget to chat with them-after all, nobody likes being jailed!
SUPPLIES TO FACILITATE A SMOOTH SHEARING
Using a sorting table will save you time. If you don't have a
table, find adequate space to use for sorting and cataloguing your
alpacas' fleece. You will need three large, clear plastic garbage
bags for each alpaca. Prior to shearing, mark each bag with the
animal's
name and the area sheared (blanket, neck, and legs). The proactive
mindset comes into play again here, suggesting that you keep extra
bags and a marker on hand-just in case.
Use a scale and record book to archive the weight of the fiber for
each alpaca. Weigh blanket, neck, and leg fiber separately, then
combine the three weights to tally a total weight.
If you have a large number of alpacas, it's wise to hire workers or
volunteers to facilitate the shearing process. For example, 20
alpacas would ideally require two animal handlers plus two helpers
to sort and record information.
For all those who attend and participate at your shearing day, be
sure to provide tables, chairs, refreshments, snacks and perhaps
some "tall cold ones" to close the day. Have a great shearing day!
Connor
& Paul (2005) - Our Shearer from New Zealand
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