Do My Sheep Need Crutched Or Shorn In Winter?

Quick decision • 3 min read

Short Answer

Not every sheep needs to be crutched or shorn in winter. Start by identifying the problem: dags, wool over the eyes, lambing preparation, or an excessive fleece. Then choose the simplest option that solves it.

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NO
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1First
Step

What Problem Are You Trying To Solve?

Start by identifying what is actually causing concern.

Look at the sheep and ask what problem you are trying to solve.

  • Dirty wool around the tail?
  • Wool covering the eyes?
  • Heavy wool around the udder?
  • Excessive wool leading into lambing?
  • Wool holding moisture and mud?

Understanding the problem will help determine the simplest solution.

Dirty around the tail?
2Next
Step

Are Sheep Dirty Around The Tail?

A simple crutch is often all that's needed.

If sheep are dirty around the tail, a simple crutch is often all that's needed.

Removing dirty wool around the tail:

  • Improves hygiene.
  • Makes sheep easier to monitor.
  • Reduces the risk of flystrike when warmer weather returns.

For many lifestyle farms, this is the most common winter wool job.

If no: Move to the next check.
Wool affecting eyesight?
3Next
Step

Is Wool Affecting Eyesight?

This is common with pet sheep and lawnmower sheep.

If wool is covering the eyes, sheep may need a simple tidy-up around the face.

  • Trim wool around the face.
  • Consider shearing if the full fleece is becoming excessive.

Being able to see properly helps sheep move, graze and interact normally.

If no: Move to the next check.
Lambing this season?
4Next
Step

Are Breeding Ewes Lambing This Season?

Lambing changes how you think about wool removal.

If ewes are not lambing this season, move to Step 5.

If ewes are lambing, first ask:

Did your ewes have a second shear in autumn?
If yes, a pre-lamb shear is unlikely to be necessary. Most ewes shorn during autumn will not have enough wool growth by lambing to justify another full shear.

Continue monitoring wool levels and consider a crutch if required.

If ewes did not have an autumn shear, ask whether they are carrying heavy wool leading into lambing.

A pre-lamb shear may be worth considering if ewes are heavily woolled.

Potential benefits include:

  • Cleaner udders.
  • Easier lamb access to the teat.
  • Better visibility during lambing.
  • Easier observation of the ewe.
  • Less likelihood of ewes getting cast. (stuck on their side or back)

There can also be some less obvious benefits. Heavily woolled ewes may lamb out in the middle of a paddock during poor weather, while shorn ewes are more likely to seek shelter.

Shorn ewes also tend to eat more feed to help maintain body temperature. If plenty of winter grass is available, this can support slightly heavier lamb birth weights and stronger lambs.

Important: Only consider pre-lamb shearing if you have adequate feed available. If winter feed is already tight, a pre-lamb shear may create additional pressure on your grazing rotation.

If ewes are not carrying heavy wool, a simple crutch or half belly and crutch may be all that's required.

Fleece becoming excessive?
5Final
Check

Is The Fleece Becoming Excessive?

Some sheep carry wool well. Others become uncomfortable.

Some sheep carry wool remarkably well. Others become uncomfortable when carrying long, heavy fleeces through winter.

Signs may include:

  • Excessively long wool.
  • Sheep appearing uncomfortable in wet conditions.
  • Mud and debris becoming trapped in the fleece.
  • Difficulty checking sheep beneath the wool.

If the fleece is becoming a management issue, consider arranging shearing.

If not, continue monitoring.

Choose The Simplest Option

The goal isn't to remove wool for the sake of it. The goal is to solve problems before they become bigger issues.

Sometimes that means a simple crutch, a tidy-up around the eyes, a half belly and crutch, a pre-lamb shear, or doing nothing at all.

Observe → Identify The Problem → Choose The Simplest Solution