A Helpful Guide to Building Your Own Shearing Checklist
EducationAlpaca Health
AOA Education Committee|April 7, 2025
A Helpful Guide to Building Your Own Shearing Checklist

Shearing day doesn’t have to be stressful, chaotic, or overwhelming. With the right planning (okay, maybe a bit of over-prepping), what could feel like a barnyard blitz can become a smooth, satisfying day for both you and your alpacas.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or prepping for your very first shearing season, this checklist covers what you need to feel ready before, during, and after the big day.

4–6 Months Before Shearing

  • Schedule your shearer

1–2 Months Before Shearing

  • Confirm that you are on your shearer's list and check whether a shear date and time have been assigned.
  • Annual CD&T vaccination: Consult with your veterinarian for recommendations specific to your farm and animals. If possible, administer well in advance of shearing to boost antibody levels before shearing.
  • Body Condition Score (BCS): Evaluate all alpacas to avoid surprises on shearing day.
  • Line up helpers and volunteers.

1–2 Weeks Before Shearing

  • Prepare the animals:
    • Identify fleeces you want to show—these may need different preparation (avoid over-blowing, which may disrupt fleece staples).
    • Remove debris from animals (flick out with comb, vacuum, or blow, keeping the fiber end use in mind).
    • Keep animals in a clean, debris-free area, or consider using lightweight coats.
  • Prepare the barn and yourself
    • Gather fiber collection supplies. Pre-label bags where possible.
    • Decide if you’ll noodle all or some fleeces.
    • Make plans for sorting firsts, seconds, and thirds.
    • Make a plan for collecting fleece weights.
  • Prepare a shearing list that includes:
    • Shear Order
    • Special considerations for pregnant females, elderly animals, and youngsters
    • Group animals by color to minimize contamination
    • Notes on show animals (consider special “show cuts” for head and legs)
    • Notes on show fleeces (collect carefully, use paper or plastic sheets, avoid second cuts)
    • Complete shear report with the list of animals from which you are pulling fiber samples for testing.

Night Before Shearing

  • Ensure animals are in a clean, dry holding area.
  • Clean and prepare the shearing area.
  • Set out fiber collection supplies (pre-labeled bags, paper/plastic sheets for noodling prime fleece).
  • Have gloves and paper towels available for animals that may urinate, defecate, or spit during shearing.
  • Have pens and shear list to record fleece weights.
  • Confirm the shearer’s planned arrival time.

Shearing Day

  • Trim toenails.
  • Check teeth; trim teeth if safe, effective options are available.
    ***You may wish to do toenail and teeth trimming on a different day depending on your usual routine. Discuss with your vet for farm-specific recommendations.
  • Check each animal for cuts, injuries, lameness, and general wellness during and after shearing.
  • Collect fiber samples for testing.
  • Record fleece weights.

Immediately After Shearing

  • Move all fiber to a clean, dry storage area.
  • Ensure fiber is protected from moths, moisture, rodents, etc.
  • Review the process: What went well? What could be improved? Make notes for next year.

Weeks Following Shearing

  • Enter fleece weights in the Shear Report Tool
  • Prepare fiber samples to be sent for testing.
  • Sort and skirt each fleece with the intended end-use in mind.
  • Ship or deliver fiber to shows and/or mills, sell directly to fiber enthusiasts, or enjoy processing it yourself!

Additional Resources

Tags Shearing ChecklistShearFiberShearingShearing Season

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