Once you get to know the animals of Maple Farm Sanctuary as unique and special beings, it’s easy to forget that they were bred to be mere commodities. But sometimes, there’s a reminder, like when Gwen the turkey invites you to pet under her wing and you’re startled to feel a plump breast bioengineered for the Thanksgiving table. Or when the weather turns warm and Finn the Finnish cross sheep begins to pant under a wool coat thick enough to sink your hand into.
Sheep were the first animal to be domesticated, first for food, and then for their wool. Primitive sheep like Bighorns shed most of their wool every year, but because of human interference, the majority of domestic sheep have to be shorn once a year to keep their coats in check. Finn’s coat grows quickly and sheep shearers are in demand in Massachusetts, so Cheri and Jim booked his appointment to be shorn months in advance.
Aaron Loux of Aarons Shearing Service arrived in late June with his power shears and a gentle touch. Finn was skittish—it took Jim’s gentle coaxing before he would go toward Aaron—but he seemed to accept the shearing without a struggle.
Aaron worked quickly and efficiently, often resting Finn against his body as he removed Finn’s coat. When it was over, Finn trotted out into the barnyard, away from the humans. Sheep can become self-conscious after they’re shorn and it usually takes Finn a couple of days to adjust to his new, sleek look.
Aaron took great care with Finn, but typically, sheep shearing is brutal and traumatic for the animal. There’s no reason to support these practices when there are so many cruelty-free alternatives to wool. These include cotton, polyester fleece, synthetic shearling, Tencel, which is made from the eucalyptus tree; and Polar Fleece, which is made from recycled plastic bottles.
As for Finn’s wool, Cheri and Jim are using it as a natural mulch for their vegetable garden.
Watch the video of Finn's brave ordeal below!
