Shearing in a chute - alone: Part II

Guest Writer: Roxanne

There are several supplies when you are shearing with a chute by yourself:

The shears with sharpened cutters and combs. We use the Heininger shears with the camelid cutters and jet combs, but have mohair and ovina cutters too. They all work. The camelid cutters leave about 1/4 inch fiber on the animal. This is nice for those very pink skinned alpacas to prevent sunburn.

Heiniger Shears


Mohair Comb


Camelid Comb

Ovina Comb

Oil to lubricate the shears.
We use 30 weight, but that can make a mess on the fiber until it is washed. Never have had it stain, but if you are worried about that, then there is a shearing oil that is white. Oil often as the alpaca does not have lanolin to lubricate the shears and they get very hot otherwise.

An extension cord is an essential component because there is never an outlet where you want to shear.

Good lighting, especially for those dark animals will make shearing that much easier. Portable lights work if you don't have fixtures where you want to shear.

Bags to collect the fiber. Since you as the shearer get to touch the whole fleece, it is easier to sort as you go. There are lots of charts out there that tell you where and what each cut should be, but each alpaca is different and

Feeling the fleece is the ultimate test. If it feels like blanket, and it is on the leg, then add it to the blanket.

A rubber band and small zip lock bag for a fiber sample. Put a handful of fiber in the rubber band before you start shearing, then as you shear that area, put the rubber banded fleece in the zip lock.

3x5 cards. Write on them the animal's name, the date and the grade of fiber, then put it in the bag with the fiber. This information will come in handy.

A chute. I use all 4 of the head ties and the belly bands. Open one side at a time to shear that side. Do not put you head in the way of any legs. From personal experience here, it hurts.

Toenail cutters. As long as you have the alpaca all handy, cut their toenails.

Any shots that alpaca may need. Again, as long as they are there, it is a good time to do shots.

A bag of patience. Really, this is a must. Quit if you get too flustered.

An alpaca vet phone number in case of emergency.

A Doctor's phone number in case of human problems.

Even a young helper will be a big help as they can collect the fiber in the different bags or feed pellets to the alpaca to keep them happy.