|
| Shearing
Shearing Angora Goats
Angora goats should be shorn twice a year – before breeding and before kidding. In Canada and the northern US, this is generally done from late August to early October and from February to early April. Failure to adhere to a six-month interval may produce shedding in the goats.
Three common methods are used for shearing angora goats. They can be shorn using the conventional "tally-hi" system used in shearing sheep or the Australian "go-down" method where they're restrained by the head and horns in a head bail. The "western" method, developed originally by the Mexicans, involves laying the goats down and tying front and hind legs to anchor points.
At Mabou Ridge, our choice of shearing is the "go-down" method. Because the skin on the angora goat is much looser than that of a sheep and a wiggly goat is pretty easy to accidentally nip, we prefer this method to the tally-hi system. The go-down technique, which was developed specifically for shearing cashmere goats, makes the assumption that the belly, leg, head, and crutch wool are not worth shearing. We like to remove all fibre so kids can find teats, so that subsequent fleeces will be of good quality, and for hygiene reasons, so we made some modifications to the technique so that all fibre was removed. This is easily done by moving the legs as required. A stand which increases the goat's height also makes the shearing job easier on the back and for reaching the under areas.
To prevent contamination of the prime quality fibres, all waste fibres in the crutch, forelock or topknot (top of the head), lower legs and belly are removed and discarded. Then, starting at the topline, horizontal strokes are made against the direction of the guard hair and the prime fleece comes off the right side in one piece. The same is repeated on the left side.
Label your breathable bags (not plastic for mohair) according to their contents (i.e. colours, grades, kid, yearling, adult, etc.). It's important to include your name and phone number on your label, as well, for easy identification. If you plan to wash your fibre yourself, please see washing instructions.
|
|
Shearing
|
|
