When do you shear your goats?

[Chirpy]

I have Nigis, Alpines and Nubians - I don't shear any of them nor do the breeders who I got them from ever shear UNLESS they are going to a show.

Remember to make sure they have shade and plenty of cool, fresh water and they should be fine. I have heard, in some of the more humid climates, of people putting fans in their barns to keep the air moving for their goats comfort.

 

[cassie]

I had a goat dairy for many years. I tried to clip them all at least once a year. It got rid of the heavy winter coat and helped control lice. Plus they were cleaner to milk. I would usually clip in May. Show goats would get clipped about two weeks before a show. If I felt the weather would turn cold before a show, I would just clip the face, udder, and any long hair. Just neaten 'em up a bit. I don't think I would bother to clip Pygmies or Nigerians.

 

[Blooming chicks]

Wow--I am so glad I read this too. I was going to shave my goats for the summer. I have only had them 2 months and have shaved their "sanitary area" for birthing. They had a really bad case of lice and I wanted to shave them, bathe them and give them a fresh start this summer, but you all say no? Hummm...guess I'll just have to keep brushing them to get all of that flakey, dead skin off instead.

 

[FrizzleFreak]

Well, for showing you have to shave, and it's a good idea to do a birthing and udder clip.
Also, if you do shave, don't wear "undergarments" you're fond of. Goat hair gets EVERYWHERE!