Shearing a Ewe for Lambing

[@tealkerberus748]

Another advantage of shearing before lambing that I didn't hear Tess mention, is that a freshly shorn sheep feels the cold just like a newborn lamb will, and so the new mothers are much more reliable about seeking shelter from cold winds and the like and not leading their lambs out into the sort of weather that a full-coated sheep would barely notice.

[@wm-fm1ts]

Wow, Tess is a wonderful mentor! The shears she uses are very interesting. I see a lot of people in the comments wondering why she doesn't use an electric shearer... Some people just prefer not to! I used to keep Angora rabbits, and when they needed a trim, I preferred shearing them with scissors. I used an electric shearer on them a few times, and it was fine, but I preferred the experience of doing it by hand. It was a slower process, but it was worthwhile because I felt that I could keep a closer eye on the animal to make sure it wasn't getting stressed. Plus, it's a calming activity!

[@olliecat80]

Whoa! I don't know whether or not you read comments on your older videos, but when little buddy came walking into the shot at about 4:00, I nearly had a heart attack! I can't believe nobody else commented on the danger he was in! Walking in an unfamiliar area with clunky winter boots, six years old, and the sheep shears held in his thick gloved hand pointy end up! There was an accident waiting to happen...very glad he didn't get hurt, he's too precious to be put in that kind of danger! My advice, for what it's worth (maybe his life), teach him to hold the shears (or any sharp object) away from his body, and sharp point down. I'm going to go try to recover from my near MI now. Still love your channel though! ☺

[@rustedoakhomestead]

Little Buddy seems like a very bright young man...

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Thank you. He gets that from his mommy :)

[@Veemack21]

man!! she is a the best mentors anyone could ask for! She probably makes everyone want to get sheep. also garden idea for this year!!?!?!??!?!😁

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Yes, we will be improving our garden this year. More to come on that once the snow melts. We got another couple inches of snow the last couple of days

[@Veemack21]

Wow we are in the the low 60s then it dropped back down 40s😧. An now I'm working a job in Louisiana. 80°f i want plant veggies lmao

[@marybelfordsmith8421]

Just an idea - that would save the sheep and your hands: a trimmer that you plug in, put a comb on and trim the area you need free of fiber. Vets use them, dog groomers use them, people use them. They come in varying sizes. Would be faster and get to the body of the sheep with a depth of comb between body and fleece being removed. My hands would be aching using those clipping shears. Great video, as always! Thanks, Dan!

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Thanks Mary! Surprisingly, they were no trouble to use at all.

[@CJFarm]

So funny when Elliot said, "Is it dead??"!! Well Dan, you may have to trailer your ewes to Tess's for shearing. Her set-up is ideal. I'll tell ya, trimming feet on our pack goats is also hard on the back. One of our boys lays down even when I use our portable stanchion. By the way, Tess mentioned arthritis in the hands... my arthritis was getting worse and worse for years. It's a homesteader's show stopper for sure. I've done many things to stop the arthritis. The doc who did my double knee surgery several years ago told me that it's just part of getting old and I'll never cure it. Fortunately I did not believe him. That knee surgery made my knees much worse. I continued to look into natural remedies. I had already been doing Bikram Yoga 3-7 days a week (9 years in all until the bad knees forced me to stop). A year ago I learned about Dr. Jennifer Daniels' work. I've been studying her archived internet radio shows available on her website www.vitalitycapsules.com, and I recently consulted with her via Skype. I've been doing one of her primary protocols for several months which is 100% Gum Spirits of Turpentine (pine oil) and my arthritis is almost completely gone. Standard of Care docs offered me only declining health. I learned from Dr. Daniels that arthritis is a side affect of the many medications the docs used on me over my life. I've used minimal medications over my life, but it doesn't take much of that stuff to make problems. Just wanted to let you know that there's actually hope for those of us suffering with arthritis. Great video, Dan!

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Thank you Joyce. And also, thank you for the interesting comment

[@Aschoeneck21]

What a wonderful asset she is! I hope the breeders I deal with are like her. She seems to be very kind hearted and cares for her animals. Thx for the video!

[@candicechristensen1753]

She looks so pretty after her haircut! I can't wait to see those little lambs. How soon will they be moving to your place?

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

They will be moving to our place once the snow melts and we can put up fencing. Also, they will need to be about 3 weeks old minimum before we transport them.

[@IslandExoticsHomestead]

CONGRATS on 5K Dan!!!!

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Thank you Tracy! :)

[@19Photographer76]

Well done Dan and I''m sure your subscriber base will keep climbing!

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Thank you David!

[@Marcanthonyfb]

very educational, thanks Was wondering why not use electric sheers?

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

I suppose she doesn't have any.

[@kismutt1]

Spaz Creations she is too cheap.

[@ChickaWoofRanch]

Tess continues to impress. You are very fortunate to have such a great sheep mentor. :-)

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

I must confess, Tess does impress! ;)

[@PartTimePermies]

Looks like a sheep wanted to give you a kiss!

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

:) That was Abigail. She is very friendly.

[@bobputman5947]

i love sheep, i hope you enjoy this new addition to your farm, so when will she birth her lamb...thanks for the video, little buddy looked pretty relaxed around them, give him a year and you will have your shepherd.

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

She is not "bagging up" yet so it might be a few more week (end of March). Not really sure exactly

[@alvexok5523]

That's a Zwartble sheep you were trimming, wasn't it? It looks like you have a few Zwartbles. That white sheep in the last frame looks like there's a really good bond between you guys

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

no, she is a katahdin friesian

[@pjb31apb]

Tess takes such amazing care of her sheep and her customers! So grateful she is willing to share her time and be recorded! I can't wait until you bring your sheep home! I forgot from the other video, are you getting all girl sheep for breeding? Thanks so much as always!

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Yes, they are all ewes! We'll figure out the ram situation in the fall

[@Mate2Frio]

Thanks Tess. 5k Congrats!!

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Thank you!!

[@lesleypettit9461]

Tess is a great teacher.

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Absolutely!

[@alvexok5523]

@@TheGrassfedHomestead , yes, she looks like she's very easy going and caring, and also knows what she's doing

[@homelessjoe]

Wow man, that beard is on par!

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

oh yeah! Though I've been considering giving myself a shearing too

[@CleoCastonguay47]

Great educational/informative vid Dan ! After the ewe is sheared is she kept inside in a birthing pen since her coat is thinned ? You and your son make a good team of shepherds. Can't wait to see the lambs.

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Thanks Cleo! No, she went back outside. She still had a good amount on wool on her. It's still cold here but it isn't single digits anymore.

[@carolinebaines8735]

I love Tess! 😀👍😀

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

We do too!

[@schifflangefarms4539]

recently saw a u tube where they used wool in nest box for chickens, worked really well as chickens did not scratch it out like straw or hay and eggs did not break

[@Hatarue]

I thought it was a great idea to recycle the wool you would normally throw out as long as it was clean.

[@sarahmcguire8127]

Don Nilles was it Justin Rhodes video

[@PartTimePermies]

I think it was the $5 chicken tractor by justin rhodes if it was the same one

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Yes, it was the $5 Chicken Tractor featuring Wholesome Roots (They have a YT channel and are YT friends of ours)

[@mick3805]

We need Tess on you tube !

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

I told her that!

[@jalynnefuentes3342]

Thank you for sharing Tess on youtube. And Lil Buddy, too. Tess, LB, cute lambs- perfect!

[@yvonnekoedood4611]

wow good work buddy

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

thanks

[@isaaclinscheid4273]

Wow very impressed! You have a wonderful teacher/ sheep breader. To be honest this I one of the best edits I've seen you do. Great work dan you ca do it.

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Thanks Isaac!

[@kathygalvin4325]

why not you use electric shears? my ewes came with a very nice electric shear.

[@tara_a_santiago]

Great job!!! Congrats on 5k

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Thank you Tara!

[@LindaPoorman]

Why not use electric trimmers? I ask because I don't know. I am not being critical, I have always done this so please don't be offended

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

She doesn't have any I suppose

[@karenweber8893]

Sheep really are amazing. So beautiful!

[@HansQuistorff]

Loved the sheep shears once I got used to them. Tried to shear aor first ewe with fabric shears; lots of skin niks. I learned from this video I should have been separating the blades when I stored the sheep shears. With the dairy goat herd we had the milk stands.

[@jaksmith6465]

but its winter. wont the sheep be cold now

[@shepherdewan]

Those sheep are good girls cute sheep

[@freakygeaktwo]

if you would not use this type of wool for spinning into yarn how about stuffing for a quilt ? thanks for sharing

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

batting...sure! After cleaning it that would be great

[@mobileplayers5008]

wow your son is just awesome like you when he grows up.

[@joansmith3492]

I like watching the sheep so much more than the pigs. I don't mind the pigs, but the sheep move better, are pretty and sound nicer. Pigs squealing is unnerving IMO. Kinda dumb, I know.

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

My loyalty is with the sheep also

[@zapzpzee]

Any idea the dimensions of that stand? I’d love to build something similar....

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

It's big! If you send me email as a reminder I can see if I can get measurements for you

[@stevensondwayne]

How do you determine how much to feed with that many sheep.

[@Hatarue]

The last shot of you with the sheep was very cute! :)

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

:) I enjoyed it

[@angelabryant6141]

Doesn't she look pretty 👍🏼

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

She does!

[@shepherdewan]

+The Grass-fed Homestead Annabelle is a good girl a cute sheep nice video do you want to watch mine