Preparing for Shearing Day

This is my third season shearing alpacas.  However, this is the first season shearing at our own place.

I am just about ready for shearing day, but have realized a couple of things would be nice to have:

• Livestock Scale - The farms we boarded with all had a livestock scales that we used for weighing the fleece on shearing day.  We do need a scale for weighing our alpacas, but we won't have one this time around. 
• Floor Mats - I shear on the ground with leg ties, so rubber mats makes it nicer for everyone.  I saw some at one of those big warehouse stores, so I plan to pick them up on Friday.

Aside from the two things we are missing, I have assembled nearly everything else:

• Sharp combs and cutters to cover the herd plus a few extra sets
• Cutting Oil
• Equipment for toe nail, teeth and top knot trimming
• Extension cords
• Brooms and a leaf blower
• Identified the order to shear and prepared a record sheet that includes ages, colors and due dates.  I generally shear lightest to darkest in color, starting with the smallest alpaca of each color.  I do put the pregnant girls last with Keyla being very last.
• 4 pre-labeled, clear plastic bags for each alpaca.  The bags are for the blanket, neck, legs & belly, and a sample for analysis
• First aid kit
• Safety glasses and knee pads
• Re-confirmed most of our volunteers
• Identified the lunch menu
• Prepared a short to-do list for Friday

Friday's to-do list includes:

• Setting up ties and supplies
• Set up cans for trash and Matter of Trust
• Pickup last minute lunch items and rubber mats
• Prepare the food as much as possible
• Review the shearing pattern and plan for Saturday
• Ensure the camera has a full charge

While we now have a place to shear out of the weather, we do not have a place to ensure the alpacas remain dry if it rains.  The forecast looks pretty good, but I am still praying for a dry week.

We are shearing on Saturday, May 22nd.