Sheep Shearing, Wool and Ranch Services
I am a certified Beginner Level 2 sheep shearer from the University of California ANR in Hopland, CA. I provide tiny flock sheep shearing services throughout the Bay Area and northern California. Please read this page and contact me at stephany.wilkes [@] gmail [dot] com to inquire further. I am often on the road and do not see or respond to blog comments, so email is best.
My 2015 shearing certification. I was also certified as Beginner Level 1 in 2013 and 2014.
I am a certified Level I Wool Classer, having met the requirements of the American Sheep Industry (ASI) Association’s Certified Wool Classing Program in May 2014. I also work as a ranch hand for select customers to assist with lambing and other livestock needs.
Shearing a Targhee at the Hopland UCANR
What information do you need from me? What do you need to know about my sheep?
We can also talk through this by phone before I shear for you, but I need a photo of your sheep and to know:
- How many sheep you have, their estimated weight and size, and their breed(s)
- How many are ewes, rams, yearlings or wethers
- When your sheep were last shorn (if they have ever been shorn)
- Your location
- Any past or current issues with your sheep: abscesses, fly strike, possible pregnancy, injuries — anything particular to each animal that may affect its health, temperament, skin, fleece and so on.
How should I prepare for shearing?
There are a few critically important things you must do to prepare for shearing:
- Pen your sheep. Gather and pen your sheep for at least 10-12 hours before shearing. I am not a herding dog, alas, and being chased by a stranger stresses the sheep. Penning sheep well in advance ensures the sheep are calm, nearby, and dry when shearing begins.
- Do not feed or water sheep for 10-12 hours ahead of shearing. Much like us, sheep do not need to eat all night. This can feel cruel, but “fasting” is critical for sheep health and comfort during shearing. When I move your sheep into different shearing positions, food and water sloshing around inside strains their organs. The sheep’s full ruminant systems holds many gallons, and that weight pushes against their diaphragm. This makes the sheep feel like it can’t breathe, and can cause heart attacks. I know shearers who have had sheep go into cardiac arrest right between their legs, and one even gave a sheep CPR to save it. Please work with me to avoid this scenario and make your sheep as comfortable as possible.
- Make sure your sheep are dry. I cannot shear wet sheep. This includes a heavy morning mist. Shears do not move through wet wool properly or safely. Since wool is warm when wet, wet wool will rot and can even smolder. Wet wool can also give us “shearers’ boils,” which happen when human skin tries to draw in water and lanolin (oil), which holds bacteria and other pathogens.
What do I need to provide?
Not much, aside from the following.
- Electricity and power outlets: My shears are electric, so power outlets must be available in the general shearing vicinity. I always carry extension cords, but extras can be helpful depending on how large an area is involved.
- A clean piece of plywood (4′ x 4′ or larger): This results in a cleaner fleece with less vegetable matter. If you do not have plywood let me know, and I’ll bring one.
- A broom for post-shearing clean-up.
- Laundry or garbage bags for fleece you wish to keep.
Where do you shear?
I do not have strict geographic boundaries for shearing services. I do my best based on your needs, location ,and my schedule. I shear throughout the Bay Area; Marin; the Alexander, Russian River and Napa Valleys; and have gone as far as eastern Washington and northern Nevada. I am happy to refer folks to other certified shearers as well.
When do you shear?
I shear on weekdays and weekends by appointment only, all year round.
Why did you become a sheep shearer and wool classer?
I became a certified shearer in May 2013, 2014 and 2015 because I want to directly support my local California wool economy in a way that goes beyond buying yarn (which I’m still plenty good at). I want to do everything I can to help California wool production and to make wool producers’ lives easier, so that we can all enjoy a healthy supply of 100% ecologically and domestically produced fiber and, by extension, clothing.
There is a shortage of shearers in the U.S. and people with small flocks (many of whom are knitters and spinners) have an especially difficult time finding shearers. It’s not always worth a shearer’s time to travel far to shear just a few head. This creates a challenge at best, and a disincentive to wool production at worst, for people who might otherwise contribute to the wool economy.
The graduating class of certified Level 1 Wool Classers, May 2014
I became a wool classer so I could better handle fleeces I shear, and to be able to help out at a local wool mill that’s getting up and running.
Why do you mostly shear tiny and small flocks?
Because I want to help the folks who have the hardest time finding a shearer. I do occasionally crew with other shearers to shear large flocks and improve my skills.
Do you trim hooves?
Yes. I charge $5/head for this service.
Do you shear goats, llamas, and/or alpacas?
No. I am happy to recommend other, experienced shearers who shear these animals, and who have and maintain the proper gear to do so.
Do you do oral drenching (deworming)?
Yes, with caveats. I only have experience with liquid drench administered via drenching gun (oral syringe). I find this process works best and goes much faster when we can work as a team of at least two people. This enables one person to fill the drenching gun with the appropriate quantity of drench for each animal (depending on weight) and another person to administer it, which must be done carefully.
Please note that you must have all of the necessary drenching equipment (drugs/drench/wormer in sufficient quantity, drenching gun(s) in good condition) and each animal’s weight in order to formulate the proper dose. I am of the “weigh, don’t guess” school of thought: if you do not know how much your sheep weighs and have no scale to determine it, I cannot advise guessing.
As for shearing, it is generally advisable to withhold food and water for at least 12 hours prior to drenching.
How much do you charge? What forms of payment do you accept?
I accept cash and checks, and have the following rates:
- Set-up fee: $45-$75 (varies according to travel distance and time, but $45 is my minimum)
- Shearing fee: $10-15 per head on average:
- 1-5 sheep: $15 each
- 6-15 sheep: $12 each
- 16-20 sheep: $10 each
- Additional $5: I charge an additional $5 per head if your sheep has horns, is a ram, or is in poor condition (obese or with 18+ months of wool growth)
- Hoof trimming: $5/head
Can you skirt my fleece?
Yes, and I can also teach you how to do so. I will need a skirting table or chicken wire on a frame in order to skirt properly. If such is not available, I can minimally skirt your fleece on a clean canvas that I carry with me.
Do you assist with lambing?
Yes, though I assist with post-lambing ranch needs like pen cleaning, weighing and so on more than lambing itself. I’m of the no-to-low human intervention school of thought when it comes to lambing, though there are exceptions. Some breeds require more human intervention due to a history of… human intervention. Merino sheep, for instance, are not typically good mothers and lambs often need to be bottle fed.
Lamb taking a few salt licks of my chin post vaccination, before being returned to mom and the rest of the flock.
Do you really live in San Francisco?!
Yes. That’s just how it worked out when I moved to California to be with the man who became my husband. Believe it or not, San Francisco is a very convenient location for a sheep shearer. I’m centrally located to serve wool producers north, east, and south, and there are a lot of sheep in those hills. Every time I consider moving someplace else, I realize it would mean giving up at least one of my service areas, so I am in San Francisco for the foreseeable future.
24 Responses to “Sheep Shearing, Wool and Ranch Services”
i have 4 sheep to be sheared! they were last sheared june of 2013. my shearer moved and did not leave forwarding address or number. the weekends work great and your prices look very fair. looking forward to hearing from you!
Thanks, Ric
Hi Ric! I’ll email you directly. Thank you kindly for your inquiry!
Would you come as far as Siskiyou County (Yreka, Montague and Fort Jones areas)? We have a difficult time finding a shearer for our smaller flocks.
I may be able to manage that if I plan in advance, depending on when you need them done by. I’ll email you some possibilities directly. I’ll be shearing up near the Lost Coast in mid June, which is closer, so perhaps I can wrap it in with that trip.
Do you shear goats? I live in Montara, on the coastside between Pacifica and Half Moon Bay. I have a herd of 18 Pygora goats, including 2 bucks, that are in need of shearing before the weather gets bad. Just lost my former goat keeper, and I’m not as young as I used to be. They’ve all been sheared many times, though I usually use a stand to hold them, since I’ve never been strong enough to “manhandle” them as you do sheep. I keep the fleeces for handspinning, if I can get them off the goat before they mat.
Thanks!
Peggy Emrey
Montara, CA 94037
650-728-5610
Hi Peggy – I’ll send you an email. Thanks for your comment!
Hi Stephany!
I have 3 Babydoll sheep who were last sheared around July 2015 before I acquired them. I am in Fremont. I have 2 ewes and 1 ram. One of my ewe just lambed on the 21st and the other one is due to lamb in the coming weeks. So naturally, I really want to have her sheared before then. And hooves, too. I really hope you can help! I know that they are known for their fleece so I would really love to learn more in general about the wool.
Fremont, CA 94539
415.819.8278
Hi Tricia — I replied to your email. Thanks for the inquiry!
We have 8 Sheeps live in Manteca. Would you come to that area?
Hi Monika, I have sheared out that way, but with my current schedule it’s a bit tough. I’m inquiring with other shearers I know to see if I can find someone for you. I’ll also send you an email. Thanks for your comment!
Hello. I live in Woodside, just north of Palo Alto and have two alpacas which need to be sheared. Would you be so kind as to recommend someone to do this for me.
Thank you so much.
Hi Stephany: I’m in need of a shearer in Napa County. Do you think you can help? We can add some wine in as an added incentive for making the trip! If not, can you recommend someone?
Keep up the good work!
Katrina
Hi! I live in Castro valley and have some sheep that need to get sheared. Do you come out this way? Thanks so much!
-Dannie
Hi! Please email me when you get the chance. I have a 6 month old sheep who needs to be shorn.
Hi, I have two Angora Goats that were recently sheared, but would like to know if you might be available to shear them in late September? (Planning ahead!) Thanks for letting me know if you would consider Angora Goats as part of your expanding repertoire!
Hi, I live in San Joaquin county between stockton and Lodi,
We have three sheep that are in need of shearing. Last sheared in 2014. Had appts with a sheep shearer who never showed up last year and it has been close to impossible to find someone.
Can you help us out? if so, that would be great. If not can you make a referral to someone?
Stephany, I was trying to reach you about farm sitting, can you contact me at your earliest convenience !!
Hi stephany,
I am out in San LuisOobispo County and have two babydoll sheep in serious need of grooming . New to area, so wondering if you have any referrals for me.
Thanks, Liz
Hey Stephany,
I would like to ask some advice about becoming a sheep shearer. I live in far northern California, red bluff area, and there seems to be a shearer shortage here. I really like sheep and would like to start a business like yours for the micro farmer/ homesteading folks out here. Any advice you can lend would be rad. Thanks for your time.
Ray ray redding
Hi Stephany,
I am a new owner of three ewes – two CVM (we think) and a Lincoln Longwool. All need shearing this year but don’t when they were sheared last. The Lincoln is a big girl but the other two are medium sized. I’m between Elverta and Pleasant Grove, off hwy 99/70 near the Sacto airport. would love to hear from you about getting my girls shorn……raise alpacas so know some about fleece, but not sheep fleece.
Hi I live in Bakersfield Ca I have 10 Dorper Sheep too shear can you help me or know someone in Bakersfield please contact me. Thank You
Hi Tim: I’m sorry, I’m far behind on inquiry comments here. Always feel free to email me during the season. I highly recommend Trevor Hollenback: http://trevorhollenback.com/
Hi Stephany –
My wonderful shearer can no longer come to Bakersfield, CA – might you ever consider coming down this far south? I found someone to do my 2 pets this past June 2017 – but would rather have YOU. I have a wether southdown/cheviot mix and a harlequin ewe (4 and 2 years old) – they are on dry lot.
Hi Angie: Thanks for the inquiry. I’m behind on blog based ones. My apologies! I am always looking for an excuse to swing through Bakersfield and visit the folks at Roswell Wool, so if I can put enough work together in the area it may be worth the trip. I believe Trevor Hollenback works in that vicinity too, and he is utterly top-notch, New Zealand trained. I’ve learned a lot from him. You can find him at http://trevorhollenback.com/.