Question

The fleece of the sheep along with a thin layer of skin is removed from its body. This process is called ____________.
(a) Shearing
(b) Threading
(c) Rearing
(d) Breeding

Answer 1

Hint: This process is done to obtain wool from the animals. The animals that undergo this process are sheep, goats, yak, rabbits, etc. In India, different breeds of sheep undergo the process of removing fleece to obtain the different quality of wool in different states.

Complete answer:
The process of removing the fleece of the sheep along with a thin layer of skin from its body is known as shearing and the person who is removing the fleece of sheep is called a shearer. Shearing of sheep can be done in all seasons depending upon the climate, management requirements, and the availability of a wool classer and shearers. It has been observed that shorn sheep tolerate frosts very well, but the lamb will suffer in cold, wet windy weather and even in cold climate summers. In the winter season, the sheep are shredded for several nights until the weather becomes clear. During the winter season, some sheep are shorn with stud combs which are commonly known as cover combs. The cover combs leave more wool on the body of animals giving greater protection from cold to them.

Additional Information:
-Shearing can be done by the use of different types of equipment, such as shearing with blades and electronic machines.
-Recently blade shearing has made a resurgence in Australia and the UK but mostly for sports purposes and not for commercial shearing.
-Shearing devices blade shears consist of two blades arranged similarly as in scissors but the hinge is at the end farthest from the point that means it is not in the middle.
-While cutting as the shearer squeezes them together the cutting edges pass each other and shear the wool close to the animal's skin.
-Machine shears are also known as handpieces that operate just like human hair clippers in that a power-driven toothed blade, known as a cutter, is driven back and forth over the surface of a comb and the wool is cut from the animal.
-The original machine shears bears a very limited range of motion and is powered by a fixed hand-crank linked to the handpiece by a shaft with only two universal joints.

So, the correct answer is, 'Shearing'.

Note:
-Sheep shearing is also considered a sport that is often done between spring and summer with competitions held around the world.
-Whatever device will be used for shearing but the shearers must be careful to keep it clean to prevent the spread of disease among the animals.
-Sheep shearing and wool handling competitions are helding regularly in different parts of the world, but it is famous particularly in Ireland, the UK, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia.