Shearing the goats ended up being quite hilarious! I wish we'd videotaped it. The very short story is that human clippers and even high quality dog clippers do not work on angora goats! Scissors will do the job, but with the side effect of very blistered hands and a very long day! Turns out sheep shearers are very ferocious-looking and very necessary tools. Still, we managed to yield 14 lbs of mohair that day.
Besides our pitifully inadequate skills, Jack was as obstinate as a two-year old. He protested the whole time. Shorn stood by and watched, then when it was his turn he was very patient and even seemed to enjoy the attention. Jack watched Shorn from a distance, then once they were both in their pen Jack began butting Shorn anytime he came near. Jack was clearly jealous for attention!
Although Jack hasn't butted Shorn since then, they both follow Lauren around like puppy dogs. They go through the fence and watch us through the windows when the lights are on at night. They never stray very far from the house and like to hang out in the shade on the back patio (snacking on the shrubbery meantime)! When we take them back to their pen, Shorn follows reluctantly, but obediently. Jack tries to wriggle away, then lies down on his side limply to be dragged the rest of the way. So stubborn! He's been doing better, but this week we hope to erect a training fence to teach them their boundaries nonetheless.
Shorn after his haircut.
Shorn and Jack's mohair.
