Spring's warm weather marks the peak season for cashmere goat shearing. This is a critical time when the goats naturally shed their fine undercoat, and careful handling ensures high-quality cashmere collection.
1. Catching the fleece requires a systematic approach. Start from the head and ears, then move down to the neck, shoulders, chest, back, waist, and thighs. When working with groups, begin with adult ewes, followed by replacement ewes, then adult rams, and finally young rams. On a ranch, it's best to start with flat areas before moving to hilly terrain. Shearing usually begins 10 to 15 days after the first signs of new growth in the coat.
2. Cleaning the fleece is essential for quality. The process involves two main steps: first, using a coarse comb to remove the coarse outer hairs (also known as "kemp"), which are longer than the cashmere fibers. Then, perform the first shearing. About 15 days later, a second pass is done, and this time the amount collected is roughly 20% of the first shearing.
3. Safety is crucial during the shearing process. Goats should be fasted for at least 12 hours before being handled. Special care must be taken with pregnant ewes to avoid any rough movements that could lead to miscarriage. Rams and breeding males require extra caution to prevent aggressive behavior that might cause injury or internal bleeding from skin scratches or pressure.
4. Using an iron comb is a common method for collecting cashmere. There are two types of combs typically used: one with dense teeth (12-14 steel teeth) spaced about 0.5-1 cm apart, and another with fewer, wider-spaced teeth (7-8 teeth, 2-2.5 cm apart). When combing, gently guide the comb through the hair, press it along the direction of the fur, and then pull it against the hair. The comb should stay close to the skin, and even pressure is important to avoid damaging the delicate fibers.
5. Quality control is vital. After catching the sheep, gently tap them to remove any dirt or debris from their body. Place the hooves on a bundle and move them to a clean, dry area before starting the shearing. All participants should be present before beginning. It's also important to sort the wool by color—white, green, purple, and brown cashmere should be collected separately to maintain purity and value.
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