Shearing often takes place before the lambing season. The wool quality of lactating ewes can be reduced and it is easier for the lambs to find the udder on a shorn ewe. Shearing before lambing also helps to keep the ewes cleaner for birthing. However, shearing should take place about a month before birthing (weather permitting) so it will be easier to handle the animals.
Blade shears and machine shears (i.e., handpieces) are the main tools used for sheep shearing. Blade shears, which are similar to scissors, are often used for smaller flocks, while machine shears work like electric hair clippers, removing more wool in less time. Shearing sheds are important in areas of high rainfall, helping to keep both sheep and wool dry.
A sheep can produce an average of eight to ten pounds of wool, but the precise amount of wool produced depends on the animal's breed and health conditions. When a sheep is sheared more than once a year, its wool fibers are shorter and have a reduced commercial value (longer fibers produce better quality yarns). Merino sheep, a breed that originated in Spain, are very popular for the production of fine textiles.
Never try to shear a sheep by yourself if you have no previous experience because you may damage the wool or harm the animal or yourself. To learn how to shear, find out if there is a sheep farm in your local area and ask the owner if you can watch the shearing. If there is a breeders' association in your area, ask if it offers shearing classes.