What's the Difference between animal clippers and human clippers? Would human clippers work on a goat? To clip around the udder?

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), January 30, 2002

Answers

Ann, I use regular human clippers to groom my dog. I can't really see any big difference in the two except for the price. Pet clippers are generally more expensive. Kim :-D

-- kim in indiana (kwcountrygirl@aol.com), January 30, 2002.

After burning out two pairs of human clippers out shaving my mutt down for the summer, and winding up with half a hair cut and the groomer taking care of the rest for 35 bucks, i think the "animal" clippers are THE way to go. However, for a small job like utters, why not moustache trimmers or the like?

-- Kevin in NC (Vantravlrs@aol.com), January 31, 2002.

Ann, most groomers use at least an Oster A-5. Human clippers are just not powerful enough. That said, I suppose that depends on what you are clipping. I don't know how thick the hair is. Not being familiar with goats not sure how much resistance goat hair presents. Also, think about the number of the blade. Can you clip an udder too close like you can a dog and would this cause problems? I would think clippers with changable, quality blades would be an advantage? Should hear from some goat people here pretty quick. There are several knowledgable ones who post here. Good luck, LQ

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), January 31, 2002.

My wife used some Ostermans to 'shear' me two weeks ago and they worked fine. Don't see why it wouldn't work the other way around. My hair is so thick, when humidity hits it, it looks like a Rose bowl float or some unfortunate hat is on my head.

-- j.r. guerra in s. tx. (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), January 31, 2002.

The barber who cuts my sons hair uses the same Andis Maroon clipper that I use on the goats. The only nice thing about Wallmart cheapo's is that when you wear them out after the first goat, you can take them back and get your money back, and purchase a good set. Jeffers always has something on sale, when I purchased my Andis I got a free coffeemaker which saved me a wedding shower gift :) After you intial trimming of the udder, leggs and belly, the cordless mens mustache and beard groomers work great for touchups! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 31, 2002.

Tnaks Ann for the question. Vicki, where do you get those clippers, at Jeffers? If so would you have a phone number for them? Also, how often a year is it necessary to clip the goats, or just while milking? We have really cold winter, if that matters. Is the motor quiet on the clippers and how do goats react to the whole process. My husband won't let me near him with the clippers! Smart man. Thankfully, the goats won't care if I'm at least careful.

-- Marie (Mamafila@aol.com), January 31, 2002.

Our does are due in March, so about 3 weeks before they are due, they get there udder, hinny, back legs and belly shaved bald. Then when the weather is wonderful, usually after Easter we shave the whole body. The goats are just more comfortable with all the winter hair off, and they look better also. That and some touch up to the udder is all the normal goats and bucks get. Does who are shown and Bucks who are shown get trimmed the week before shows, so some are trimmed monthly all the way into September, they seem to grow their hair quickly back for winter, course we don't have much of a winter. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 31, 2002.