Shearing Sheep at Altevik Farm on Sandsøy.

Ducan from Scotland travels around in the area around Sandsøy twice a year shearing sheep at different farms. He has been on Sandsøy several times before. 

The shearer uses a sling for back support (to me it looked like for balance, too. The sheep swing them around quite a bit when they fight them to stay still).

The sheep are sheared twice a year. When they get in to the barn in the fall and before they are let out in the spring. The amount of wool is many times less in the spring after being indoors all winter (and the period is shorter, too). The belly wool and the bottom wool is scrap and separated from the rest. Urin burns the wool and it can't be used.

The sheep at Altevik Farm is getting ready for giving birth. This has at least two lambs in the belly.

All nude!

Shearers use special moccasins made of a synthetic felt. These moccasins protect their feet, grip wooden floors well and absorb sweat. It is hard work!

The wool in packed into paper sacks and sold.

Lunch in the break room at the barn. Happy sheep farmers Tone and Ola.

                                             

Check out how what is all looks like. It took about 7 1/2 hours (incl. lunch) to shear 174 sheep. Impressive!