Haircut Day

Shearing is an important part of owning sheep, particularly in the Lincoln Longwool breed of sheep!

"Lincolns", are a breed of sheep native to England. The Lincoln (the largest British sheep), was developed specifically to produce the heaviest, longest, and most lustrous fleece of any breed in the world. However, Delaware is far from England, and Harry Larry agrees, that getting a haircut before the summer heat and humidity set in is critical for a happy sheep. One of the most interesting aspects of shearing is how they roll sheep onto their rumps (like a dog would sit up and beg for food!) Then, the shearer must decide where to begin the haircut so that the wool comes off in a "blanket" altogether.

 

• • Temperature regulation: Sheep can overheat in the summer, especially if their fleece is dirty and tangled. 
  • Parasite prevention: Shearing removes the breeding ground for insects like flies, mites, lice, and ticks.
  • Disease prevention: Shearing reduces the risk of disease, including flystrike, a condition where maggots burrow into the sheep's skin 
  • Movement: Shearing prevents sheep from becoming stuck on their backs, which can make them vulnerable to predators.