Sheep are mammals that require annual shearing to keep their hair smooth. Sheep graze on the mountain slopes in the spring. By July, they begin to malt naturally and develop a woolly blanket. This wool helps them withstand harsh conditions. Sheep are also sensitive animals and their faces and body parts communicate many different emotions. However, sheep in the wild often do not undergo the shearing procedure.
Wool sheep do not shed their coats naturally. Breeders developed wool sheep specifically to increase the quality of their wool for textiles. Those sheep do shed a few times a year. The wooly coats on sheep can be a nuisance, and horned sheep can be dangerous to people and equipment. Sheep in the wild, however, shed their coats naturally as the seasons change.
While sheep are a common source of fur and wool, shearing is a vital step for their survival. Without shearing, sheep cannot move efficiently because the wool gets in their way. If not sheared, they can overheat and starve. And their wool may become a target for parasitic species or fly strikes. For these reasons, sheep are typically shorn every spring.
Sheep are also subject to flystrike, a disease similar to lice that can cause severe pain in the animal. Moreover, flystrike can be fatal if not treated. There are five common flystrike types: body strike, poll strike, pizzle strike, wound strike, and breech strike. Maggots live on moist skin and eat flesh and muscle.
The reason for this practice is that sheep cannot breathe with their thick wool on their backs. Their thick coats prevent them from seeing food. They are also prone to infections, which is why shearing them is vital. In addition, overgrown wool can trap bacteria and lead to infections in the sheep. Baarack’s fleece was large and impressive, just a few pounds shy of the world record. Currently, the record is 41.1 kilograms and the Baarack’s weighs nearly 90 pounds.
During the spring, primitive sheep have a natural break in their wool growth. Shearing is not a necessary part of this break, but sheep are still able to survive without wool. As a result, they need to be cared for and kept warm. Shearing has become a popular process for farmers and ranchers alike. It helps reduce the stress and strain on sheep and saves the shearer time.
Unlike domesticated breeds, sheep in the wild look more rugged and have large horns. Rams, especially, can headbutt each other with 10 times the force of two human football players. Their clashing can be heard for miles. Likewise, sheep can jump 15 to 30 feet and run up to 20 miles per hour. So, sheep in the wild must remain vigilant in order to protect their territories.
Some of the domestic breeds of sheep do not require shearing. Blackhead Persian sheep, West African dwarf sheep, and Maasai sheep do not need to be sheared. The latter two are not selectively bred and retain their wool. Some wild sheep species do not require shearing, while others shed their coats naturally throughout the year. And even those that don’t undergo shearing are still outstanding for their hardiness, good health, and ability to cope with poor forage.
