Sheep ShearingSheep Shearing

HistoryHistory

Sheep are usually born in the early spring. The Sheep are usually born in the early spring. The babies, which are called lambs or kids, feed on their babies, which are called lambs or kids, feed on their mother’s milk for up to 12 weeks. Sheep have their mother’s milk for up to 12 weeks. Sheep have their tails cut off, docking, to help prevent disease and tails cut off, docking, to help prevent disease and infection among the flock.infection among the flock.

Female = ewe (yoos)Female = ewe (yoos) Male = ramMale = ram Baby = lamb/kidBaby = lamb/kid

There are more than 800 breeds of sheep. The There are more than 800 breeds of sheep. The different breeds are raised for the different kinds of different breeds are raised for the different kinds of wool that they produce. All wool is waterproof, so wool that they produce. All wool is waterproof, so therefore the sweaters, blankets, etc. made of wool therefore the sweaters, blankets, etc. made of wool are waterproof also.are waterproof also.

History Cont’dHistory Cont’d

Sheep are black, white, brown, gray, or spotted. Once Sheep are black, white, brown, gray, or spotted. Once the wool is sheared, it can be dyed to create a variety the wool is sheared, it can be dyed to create a variety of colors.of colors.

Wool can be made into:Wool can be made into: rugsrugs clothesclothes coatscoats sweaterssweaters scarvesscarves blanketsblankets

Their skin can be made into leather for gloves.Their skin can be made into leather for gloves.- The meat from the sheep can be eaten and it is called - The meat from the sheep can be eaten and it is called mutton mutton

Sheep Shearing ProcedureSheep Shearing Procedure

The sheep is standing straight up on a crate-The sheep is standing straight up on a crate-like platform. The head is placed in a holder like platform. The head is placed in a holder so it cannot move. (Refer to the picture on so it cannot move. (Refer to the picture on the poster board)the poster board)

The shearing begins at the belly of the sheep. The shearing begins at the belly of the sheep. The shearer tries to take the wool off in one The shearer tries to take the wool off in one piece. (A single sheet of wool is called a piece. (A single sheet of wool is called a fleece.) fleece.)

If the wool is going to be used in clothing or If the wool is going to be used in clothing or blankets, the wool sheared from legs and blankets, the wool sheared from legs and neck will not be used.neck will not be used.

VideoVideo

http://www.tv.com/video/2251/http://www.tv.com/video/2251/Sheep+Shearing?o=feedSheep+Shearing?o=feed

This is a clip from “Dirty Jobs with Mike This is a clip from “Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe” on the discovery channel.Rowe” on the discovery channel.

This is not a clip that I would show my This is not a clip that I would show my students but I thought it would be students but I thought it would be interesting to put in here. (It’s a difficult interesting to put in here. (It’s a difficult activity to do in a power point)activity to do in a power point)

VideoVideo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62dig1Wfft4&feature=relatedv=62dig1Wfft4&feature=related This video demonstrates the sheep This video demonstrates the sheep

shearing process. The process is shearing process. The process is generally the same, but may vary generally the same, but may vary somewhat by individual. The video is somewhat by individual. The video is somewhat lengthy, but seems to portray somewhat lengthy, but seems to portray the process accurately, from the little the process accurately, from the little knowledge I have.knowledge I have.

Interesting FactsInteresting Facts

The wool from sheep is coated with The wool from sheep is coated with lanolin, which is a very oily based lanolin, which is a very oily based substance. If it gets on your skin substance. If it gets on your skin then you will break out for days.then you will break out for days.

Sheep are naturally prey animals so Sheep are naturally prey animals so when they are put on their rump they when they are put on their rump they automatically go limp and give up on automatically go limp and give up on fighting.fighting.

ReferencesReferences

http://www.tv.com/video/2251/Sheep+Shearing?http://www.tv.com/video/2251/Sheep+Shearing?o=feedo=feed

Brady, Peter. Brady, Peter. SheepSheep. Mankato: Bridgestone Books, . Mankato: Bridgestone Books, 1996.1996.

Kalman, Bobby. Kalman, Bobby. Hooray for Sheep farming! Hooray for Sheep farming! New New York: Crabtree York: Crabtree Publishing Co, 1998.Publishing Co, 1998.

Oxlade, Chris. Oxlade, Chris. WoolWool. Chicago: Heinemann Library, . Chicago: Heinemann Library, 2001.2001.

Powell, Jillian. Powell, Jillian. How Do They Grow? From Lamb to How Do They Grow? From Lamb to SheepSheep. Austin: . Austin: Raintree Steck-Vaughn Publishers, Raintree Steck-Vaughn Publishers, 2001.2001.

Brandon & Nicole Jackson – Sheep FarmersBrandon & Nicole Jackson – Sheep Farmers