Shearing Time

Time to shear the Angora Goats again. They get sheared about every 6 months. I am shearing them now, mid-November, so the next time they will be sheared will be mid-May and they will hit the summer (hotter) months with their fleece just starting to grow. An adult goat will usually have 6-7 pounds of usable fleece that can be processed. I do their backs and sides on a stand and their legs and underside on the floor in a position similar to what the professional shearers use. They are generally pretty good about being sheared, although they typically do not like their feet handled - which is why I do the feet on the floor.

During the night the goats will stay in a heated barn until their fleece starts growing out enough to provide some warmth; usually this takes about 3 weeks. When I shear them I also trim their hooves and treat them for lice. Following is a picture of Cutie Pie before shearing and afterwards. Her fleece weighed ~ 6.5 pounds.

Cutie Pie - on the stand before being shorn

Cutie Pie - after being shorn