Time to shear the goats

Angora goats live about 10 years. We have Marley (female) and Stonewall (male) here and they are both 13 years old and still going strong. I think they are spoiled :). We typically shear them twice a year. Their fiber is called mohair and is silky smooth and just wonderful to work with. As animals age their fiber (hair, fur…) gets coarser. Since they are so very old, I no longer even keep their fiber to use. Around Pennsylvania goats should be sheared in March and then again in October or every 6 months. It grows fast! Since October can get cold and my goats are so old, I decided to forgo the October shearing last time so they could be fully fleeced and warm over the Winter. It worked! They were cozy all winter. So here we are at March again so they were sheared this week and now they are naked again. Shearing does not hurt the animals and is quite necessary for their survival. They would become severely overheated if not sheared. Nate (our shearer) makes quick work of the shearing by sitting them on their butts between his legs, holding them upright with his knees. I think the vibrating electric shears must feel good because they look very relaxed for the whole process. Next, nails are clipped and treats are given and wallah, they are done.