Time to take off that winter coat! Sheep shearing day at Minute Man National Historical Park occurred in late March 2022, just in time for our New England spring weather. Over 30 sheep were sheared in a flash thanks to the excellent work of professional shearer Aaron Loux. As one volunteer noted, “Aaron managed the sheep gently and assuredly. The sheep appeared surprisingly matter of fact about the day!”
Thank you to our dedicated volunteers including Geoff, Janet, Martine, Peggy, and Ray for wrangling sheep, collecting wool, and providing health checks on the herd of Ouessant sheep. They are all in good shape and enjoying time outside the barn while grazing on spring clover, orchard grass, and vetch.
Images above, clockwise: Aaron Loux shearing a white sheep, volunteers performing a health check on a black sheep while a curious chicken looks on, freshly sheered sheep snack on grain after fasting to prepare for the shearing.
Sheep Shearing Step by Step
You’re up first! Volunteer Geoff wrangles a sheep into place and passes him off to professional shearer, Aaron Loux. Volunteer Peggy (not pictured) notes the tag number of the sheep and crosses them off this list. There are over 30 sheep in total with names such as Peggy Ewe, April (tag #1775), Henri (pronounced with a French accent), as well as Romeo and Juliette. Professional shearer Aaron starts shearing with electric clippers on a plywood base and the sheep don’t seem to mind!A snowy white fleece is left behind after shearing. Volunteer Martine makes wool fedora hats from the fleeces and donates the profits back to sheep care. Click here to learn more and purchase your very own fedora. Sheared sheep are sent outside for a health check. Volunteers Peggy and Martine (left to right) check the eyelid color of the sheep. A light color indicates anemia and the possible presence of parasites. All of our sheep have nicely colored eyelids and have no signs of parasites. Time for a snack outside, where there’s plenty of room to run around. The sheep undergo fasting before shearing to make sure they don’t choke on any aspirated food during the process.
