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Finding a shearer for your flock can be quite challenging, so plan ahead.
Call in January or February to get on a shearer's schedule.
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Many shearers will travel outside their geographic area but probably only
come to your area once each year. Expect to pay their travel expenses.
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Coordinate with neighboring farms to get a shearer to your area. Provide
a map and directions for getting from farm to farm.
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Expect to pay more if you have a small flock. Make sure your shearer is
fully compensated for travel costs, set-up times and other delays to
encourage them to come back next year.
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Expect to pay a lot more if you have a small flock, inadequate facilities,
uncontrollable animals, and a mixture of species (eg 2 sheep, 1 goat, 1 llama).
Let the shearer know what to expect so s/he can prepare.
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Be flexible. Can you take a day off during the week for shearing? Can
you be available at the last minute if the shearer gets a cancellation?
Does your barn have adequate lighting for evening shearing? Give your
shearer options.
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Remember that some shearers are only available in the spring whereas others
shear year round. Some will travel considerable distance whereas others only
shear locally. And some may not be taking new customers this year. In other
words, you may have to call a lot of shearers to find one suitable for your
needs.
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Call your local 4-H office and see if a high schooler or college student is
available.
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Learn to shear your own sheep. Delaware Valley College in Bucks County, PA runs
a shearing class each year. Plus there are several books on the market that will
show you how. Or, if you only have a couple of sheep and are adventuresome, just
buy a pair of hand shearers and snip off the wool with your sheep standing up in
a fitting stand.
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