SHEARING INQUIRY ~ Start here to get a quote and schedule an appointment
SHEARING DAY PREPARATION AND POLICIES 2024 ~please read!
HOW TO SET UP FOR ALPACA SHEARING (with pictures)
CAMELID WRANGLING
PRICES
TESTIMONIALS
PAYMENT
Camelids Plus
Shearing With Ruby
I offer a gentle custom service with attention to detail, prompt communication and exceptional care of your animals and your fiber.
Locations Served:
Southern Oregon from the border to Eugene along the 199 and the I-5.
Northern California from The SF Bay Area North including the Sacramento/Stockton area, Redding, Red Bluff and Siskiyou County along the I-5.
Northern California Butte County, Chico, Oroville, Marysville, Grass Valley, Nevada City
Marin, Sonoma and Mendocino counties along the 101 and North to Crescent City.
K.Ruby Blume has attended the UC Davis shearing course twice and is a certified junior level sheep shearer. Junior refers to the number of sheep a person can shear in a day, not the quality of the shearing. She limits sheep and goat shearing to flocks of 5 or less. Ruby trained to shear Alpacas with Steve Murray in 2017 and has been shearing them ever since. Alpacas and Llamas make up 80% of her clientele. She has sheared flocks as large as 75 animals, though 1-20 is more typical.
“I am not the fastest shearer in the world but I offer the caring touch of a woman–something rare in the world of shearing. I will be gentle with your animals, handling them with care and concern, and will talk you through the entire process to set your heart and mind at ease.”
PRICING 2024
My standard rates are typical of current prices for small flock shearing, which requires lots of driving for small numbers of animals, setting up and shearing in a wide variety of different situations, inconsistent condition of animals and quality of fiber. Prices reflect the time it takes me to communicate about your animals and schedule our appointment, wear and tear on my equipment and vehicle, fuel, preparation, set-up, doing the job, education and sometimes follow-up. Rates are an estimate given normal shearing conditions, price can vary if conditions vary. I reserve the right to charge what is appropriate to offer you the best service possible. I recognize my rates are expensive for some. If you are on a fixed income or cash flow is an issue for you, let me know so I can take that into consideration.
Shearing is a skilled, custom service, that requires training, experience and specialty tools and is back breaking labor. A good shearer is worth the cost.
Minimum charge to show up at your farm and shear is $130 in Oregon and $150 in California.
Farm Call/Set Up $100
Alpacas $100 farm visit plus $30 per head ($40 per head in CA) standard shearing, clean legs and topknot trimmed or removed
Stovepipe legs, boots or special haircuts $5 extra per animal
Toe trims $5 per animal
Teeth $10 per animal, front teeth only. For fighting teeth, call your vet
Dirty fiber, extra years fiber, fighty animals., catching escapees. $5-10 per animal. At my discretion and I will be fair.
Llamas $100 farm visit plus $45 per head ($55 per head in CA).
Toe trims and teeth for llamas at my discretion, $10 each
Sheep $20 each for first 2 sheep, $15 per head after that. Maximum 5 sheep. Toe trims included
Babydoll Sheep $25-35 each up to 5 total toe trims included
Fiber Goats $100 farm visit, $30 each first 2 goats, $20 per head after that. Tow trims included, 5 goats maximum
Sheep or Goats as part of an alpaca/llama shearing day $25 each Toe trims included
LGDs Yes, I shear the occaisional dog. I am not a dog groomer and I am not going to make the dog look pretty, this is a comfort cut.
I have to use a special cutter for dogs to prevent cuts and the owners must help restrain and in some cases muzzle.
Price range from $75 -125 depending how long it takes
Extras
Driving surcharge $75 per hour if you are not close to another job
Catching your animals for you, or waiting while you catch them $75 per hour
First time training charge if you are not ready or prepared and I have to wait or help you set up $25-50
Half day rate $375
Full day rate $700
Demonstration Shearing $250-400
Rescheduling or cancellation, less than 48 hours notice for any other reason except rain $50
PAYMENT
Payment is due at time of service rendered via cash, Venmo or check (in order of preference). Tipping is not required but certainly is appreciated.