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Brian is a trained professional shearer trained at the Washington State
University Shearing School. He has also apprenticed with a number of
experiencd shearers before going out on his own in 2004.
Shearing service to you will include...
* Safety shearing
- Using the "trussed-prone restraint" (aka "ropes")
technique so your alpaca doesn't hurt itself, or you.
* TopKnot and tail dressing
* Fleece samples for histograms
* Toe nails trimmed no extra charge - training for you included if
desired
* Foot, bite and skin inspection
* Fleece quality and condition evaluation if desired
* All needed equipment included for our setup - except
please provide your own tarp or other surface for shearing
* Information resources and help with grading/sorting/processing your
fleece
Prices:
$30 per animal - rate for full shearing with top knot, tail dressing
and toe nails
$10 extra for show fleeces
$50 setup - mileage (within 50 miles 1-way) and materials fee
Sharpening:
Brian sharpens shearing combs and cutters. Rates.
Discounts:
Discounts and appreciation will be given to farms who help
arrange multiple days of shearing (15+/day) in their local area.
Special Notes:
* Charges are higher for alpacas not shorn last year.
* You must provide at least 2 helpers, even more will
help make it less tiring for you.
* You are expected to bring your alpacas to the shearing area.
* Please provide a tarp or other suitable surface for shearing the alpacas.
* We cannot shear wet or overly sweaty alpacas, please plan ahead with
cover, shade and/or good strong fans.
* We also do llama shearing - the rate is $40 but could increase depending
on growth and animal temperment.
* When traveling overnight a room (or floor) would be greatly appreciated.
* Brian enjoys travel so if you are willing to sponsor it, he will fly
to shear for you!
Tips:
* Want to pre-clean your alpacas? Consider vacuuming rather than blowing
them out.. Blowing sends the dirt to the skin, thereby making the shearing
end result less clean and less smooth. It also dulls the blades faster,
slowing the process. Vacuum the blanket area, starting from the bottom
and use gently lift the fleece as you clean.
* On a hot shearing day, try to keep your alpacas cool with shade and/or
fans. Sweaty alpacas, especially finely fleeced crias can be very difficult
to shear.
* If there are three people helping the shearer things go much smoother
and everyone is more relaxed.
Please do not let your alpacas go for over a year
without being shorn. They are domestic livestock and an annual
shearing is required to maintain a healthy alpaca.
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Are your alpacas HOT?
Heat stress is very serious in alpacas. If you're animals are
not moving much, sticking their feet into water buckets and seeking
out shade they are HOT. Overheating effects the health of alpacas.
It lowers the "potency" of stud males. Pregnant alpacas
are extra sensitive.
Until shearing an easy solution is this inexpensive (about $4)
water sprinkler. Just sit in on the ground and let it run a couple
of feet high. Your alpacas will RUN towards the sprinkler once
they realize what it does for them!
If you keep the water low you'll wet just the underside of the
animal, the portion that cools the animal. You will not disturb
the main blanket.
Just run it a few minutes a few times a day for happy healthy
alpacas.
Obviously, don't do this before shearing day. Get out some fans
if at all possible.
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Llamas should also be shorn at least every two years
to reduce summer heat stress, remove fleece which might harbor parasites
and to assess the animal's overall body condition.
Please see Brian's Shearing
Agreement.
Send an email or call with any questions.
-Brian Schieber
1st Choice Alpacas
360-666-3336 farm
206-383-7750 cell
shearing@1stchoicealpacas.com
Battle Ground, WA (just outside Portland, OR)
We recommend these supplies
from PurelyAlpaca.com for the new or established alpaca owner.
Book Your Shearing Date Today
To specify your desired shearing date(s), please include:
- Name
- Farm name
- Address
- Phone
- Email
- Date(s) desired
- # of Alpacas, # of Huacayas, # of Suris, # of Llamas
- Any comments or questions
(Brian will confirm by email or phone)
Select Agenda or Month Tab to view current schedule.
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We use the "trussed-prone restraint" (aka
"ropes") technique to secure the alpaca.
Proper restraint allows us to safely shear without fear
of the alpacas kicking into the sharp clippers.
A good shear team helper will hold the alpaca's head
gently but firmly out from the body. Note the towel pillow.
The alpaca is stretched tight so that it cannot move
while the shears are running.
aaaaaHHHHHHH! That feels MUCH better!
Note: Brian took these picture so of course he's not
in any of them.
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