Shearing Area Setup

Animal Specific Requirements

Conditions

We need a flat, dry, and clean area for shearing. We provide mats to keep your animals comfortable and their fleeces clean.

Location

Shearing area should be close to your animal pen.

Electricity

We need electricity within 200 feet of the shearing station. We provide extension cords but no generator.

Working Area

For flocks larger than 3 head we will typically run several stations at the same time and will need the extra space and anchor points to do so.

Saving Fiber

We do not bag fiber or provide bags or noodling materials. If you plan to save or noodle your fiber, please have materials prepared in advance and someone available to bag fiber as we work. Please let us know before shearing begins if you would like fiber separated in a specific way.

Safety & Professional Conduct

Shearing days are fast-paced and safety-critical. We prioritize animal welfare, human safety, and quality work, and expect all interactions to remain professional and respectful.

General Requirements

Sheep/Goats

5x6 foot space minimum. A piece of plywood, mat, or concrete surface works great.

Alpacas

8x16 foot space minimum. To set our ropes, we need two ground level anchor points 16-26 feet apart. Car tires, fence posts, and trees are perfect.

Llamas

We shear llamas standing with a short lead at their head height, ideally in a stall, trailer, or next to a wall to limit movement.

Animal Preparation

Animal Penning

All animals must be caught and secured before our arrival window

Animals should be in a small pen, stall, or enclosure near the shearing area (about the size of a horse stall or smaller)

This allows for safe, calm handling and keeps the day on schedule

We schedule farms closely together and provide a one-hour arrival window. Having animals ready ensures a smoother, lower-stress experience for both animals and people.

If Animals Not Ready

If animals are not caught and properly penned when we arrive, we may need to:

• Refuse service

• Leave the property

• Charge a catching fee or travel fee for time and mileage

Due to our travel schedule, we are often unable to wait for unprepared animals. Repeated lack of preparation may affect future scheduling.

Feed

Sheep should be off feed (grain, hay, and pasture) for at least 12 hours prior to shearing

Water is OK

Full sheep are more likely to experience discomfort and struggle, increasing shearing time and risk of injury.

Weather

Animals must be dry and in shelter before shearing. Wet animals:

  • Increase shearing time

  • Create electrocution risk to both animal and shearer

  • Lower fiber quality

We may refuse to shear animals that are soaking wet or were not kept under cover prior to shearing.

Large Flock Requirements

The $5-per-animal discount for flocks of 21 or more applies only when the farm is prepared to maintain a safe, steady workflow. If our crew must spend significant time catching, chasing, wrangling, sorting, or doing farm tasks beyond shearing, the discount will not apply.

Sheep

In addition to meeting the general readiness and penning requirements:

  • Provide a small holding area close to—but separate from—the shearing area, so sheep can be brought to the shearers quickly and continuously.

  • Provide a suitable hard and clean surface, plywood is preferred. At flocks over 20 head, three shearers will typically work at once, each requiring a minimum of a 5×6 foot space.

If inadequate penning or excessive chasing and wrangling disrupts the workflow, the flock will not qualify for the discount.

Alpacas

The farm must provide enough helpers to:

  • Bring alpacas from the catch pen to the shearers or have alpacas available in catch pen immediately next to the shearing area for shearers to grab easily.

  • Manage animal flow and organization.

  • Sweep or leaf blow away thirds from shearing station between animals

  • Identify animals and separate show strings or other special groups.

  • Collect, bag, and label fiber.

  • Remove animals promptly after shearing.

Llamas

Keep llamas securely penned and easily accessible near the shearing area.

By booking with Riversong Shearing, you agree to these shearing day requirements.

If these requirements aren’t workable for your farm, we encourage you to contact us ahead of your shearing appointment to discuss possible solutions or determine whether another shearer may be a better fit.

Payment

Payment is due at the time of service. We provide receipts upon request. Contact us in advance if payment is a hardship.

Cash/check - no fees

3.5% fee

2% fee

Zelle, credit cards, cryptocurrency, or other forms of payment are NOT accepted.