Start a seasonal sheep shearing business

Hill and lowland sheep farmers, smallholders and people keeping small flocks or rare breeds.

A set price per sheep shorn. Your income depends on how many sheep you can shear in a day and how many farms you can book in the season.

• Good physical fitness and stamina
• Calm, confident animal handling
• Reliable timekeeping and route planning

• Public liability insurance, and check whether you need cover for working with livestock
• Heavy, repetitive work that can strain your back, so build up gradually and learn good technique
• Animal welfare rules, and the need to follow farm biosecurity and handling requirements
• Income is seasonal and weather dependent, so check how you will cover the quieter months
• A vehicle and safe, dry space to shear, as farms vary in facilities

Startup costs are typically around £800 to £3,000, depending on your equipment, insurance and vehicle needs. These are estimates, so check what you already own and what farms will expect you to bring.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £3,500, depending on flock sizes, your pace, the rate per animal and how many farms you reach. These are estimates, and income is seasonal and weather dependent, so plan for quieter months.

Check public liability insurance and whether you need cover for working with livestock. Check animal welfare rules and farm biosecurity and handling requirements. The work is heavy and repetitive, so build up gradually and learn good technique to protect your back.