[AlpacaTalk] Re: shearing table
My first experience in shearing was at a farm that had a tilt table.
What an experience too! It necessitated as many people to help as it
does having an alpaca on the ground with pulleys. This particular
alpaca owner gave her alpacas a shot of Benamine to "calm" them. It
took an average of 45 minutes to shear. Cost at this farm $45 per
animal.
Then I experienced a professional shearer. About 9 farms got
together at three locations and set up the shearing weekend. We used
one person for the head, one for front feet and one for back feet to
get the alpaca gently on the ground. Once down there was a person
collecting the blanket, one at the head and one at the rear ropes.
Through the day we timed the shearing process it ranged from 7-10
minutes per animal.
In my opinion, it was much less stressful to shear on the ground with
a professional at approx $28 per animal. We had 36 animals this year
(2 farms) and started exactly at 8am and were totally done by 1:30pm
without rushing through it.
You also have to take into consideration the costs involved in doing
it yourself. Shears approx. $700, plus extra blades at what? $35
each and you will need newly sharpened (cost involved in re-
sharpening every year) blades for approx every 5 animals depending on
how dirty they are.
Oh, did I mention that the shearing table was approx $2,500?
Figure that all up and still see if you think that it's cheaper to do
it yourself!
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posted by Chaddo at 10:53 AM
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