Crutching is an important part of the process. ... Crutching is shearing the wool from the rear end of a sheep – between the legs and around the tail. The purpose is to remove 'dags', which are clumps of wool stained with faeces and urine.

How often do you crutch a sheep?

Sheep should be shorn at least once a year to help maintain flock health, and to pro- duce higher quality wool. There isn't a set time of the year when you should shear; however, there are a few guidelines that may be helpful in determining the best time for your flock. 1.

Why is smell important to sheep?

Domesticated sheep, Ovis aries, are one such mammal, forming a strong and exclusive bond with their young. In sheep, olfaction, the sense of smell, plays a vital role in the establishment of the exclusive bond, though other senses, particularly sight and to an extent hearing, are involved as well.