6 Where To Buy Livestock Shears Online On a Homestead Budget

The moment you realize your sheep look more like walking clouds than livestock, the search for shears begins. It’s a critical task, not just for harvesting wool but for the health of the animal, preventing heat stress and flystrike. But faced with options from fifty-dollar clippers to thousand-dollar professional rigs, finding the right tool on a homestead budget feels overwhelming.

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Premier 1 Supplies: Pro-Quality Shears for Sheep

Premier 1 is where you go when you’re serious about sheep. They specialize in sheep and goat equipment, and their shearing machines are built for the job, not adapted for it. This is the place to look for robust, air-cooled motors and combs designed specifically for slicing through dense, greasy fleece.

While their prices reflect professional quality, think of it as a "buy once, cry once" investment. A Premier 4000c shearing machine will last for years, and more importantly, they stock all the replacement parts, from drive cables to cutters and combs. Their customer service is staffed by people who actually use the equipment, so you get practical advice, not just a sales pitch.

For a homesteader with a flock of ten or more wool sheep, struggling with underpowered clippers is a false economy. The time, frustration, and poor results from a cheap machine aren’t worth the initial savings. Premier 1 is the right choice when your flock is a core part of your homestead, not just a passing hobby.

Valley Vet Supply: Oster and Andis Clippers

Valley Vet is a go-to for general livestock needs, and their selection of clippers reflects that. Here you’ll find trusted brands like Oster and Andis, which are workhorses for many farms. These are typically classified as heavy-duty clippers, not dedicated shears, which is a crucial distinction.

These clippers are incredibly versatile. They excel at shearing goats, llamas, and alpacas, whose fiber is different from greasy wool. They’re also perfect for "crutching" or "dagging" sheep—clearing wool from the rear end—and for pre-slaughter shearing. If you have a mixed-species farm, a good set of Andis or Oster clippers from Valley Vet can serve multiple purposes.

The trade-off is power. While an Oster Clipmaster can handle a small, clean fleece, it will struggle and overheat on a large sheep with dense, lanolin-heavy wool. Consider these the perfect tool for a few fiber goats or a couple of pet sheep, but plan on taking breaks if you’re tackling a full-sized ewe.

Tractor Supply Co: Weaver Leather & Farnam Shears

Tractor Supply Co. is the accessible, brick-and-mortar option for many homesteaders, and their online store offers the same reliable, if basic, selection. You’re not going to find high-end shearing machines here. Instead, you’ll find hand shears and smaller electric clippers from brands like Weaver Leather and Farnam.

These tools are best suited for small, specific jobs. Think trimming hooves, clearing wool around a wound, or shearing a single market lamb. Their electric options are often designed for show fitting, meaning they prioritize a smooth finish over raw power for bulk removal. They are an excellent starting point for someone with just one or two animals who needs something now.

The primary advantage is convenience and a low barrier to entry. You can often order online and pick it up the same day. Don’t mistake their clippers for a full shearing solution for a wool flock. You will burn out the motor and frustrate yourself. But for quick touch-ups and small-scale needs, they get the job done without a major investment.

Amazon: Finding Budget Brands like BEETRO Electric

Amazon is the wild west of farm equipment, but it’s where you’ll find the ultra-budget electric shears. Brands like BEETRO and similar knock-offs offer a complete shearing machine for under a hundred dollars, a price that seems too good to be true. For some people, it just might be good enough.

Let’s be clear: this is a gamble. These machines are known for overheating, loud operation, and questionable longevity. The included blades are often low quality and dull quickly. However, if you have exactly two sheep to shear once a year and a very tight budget, it can be a calculated risk that pays off.

The biggest pitfall isn’t just the tool breaking, but the lack of support. Finding replacement blades that fit or a part for the motor is nearly impossible.

• Best for: Someone with 1-3 sheep, a willingness to tinker, and a low budget.
• Worst for: Anyone with a valuable wool flock or who depends on the equipment working reliably.

eBay: Used Lister and Heiniger Shearing Machines

For the homesteader who is mechanically inclined, eBay is a goldmine. This is where you can find legendary, built-to-last shearing machines from brands like Lister and Heiniger for a fraction of their new cost. These are the tools professional shearers use—they are designed to run all day and last for decades.

Buying used professional gear gives you immense power and durability at a hobbyist price point. You can often find a complete setup, including the motor, flexible driveshaft, and handpiece, for the price of a new mid-range clipper. This is the path to shearing a dozen sheep without the machine even breaking a sweat.

The risk, of course, is the unknown. You’re buying equipment with a history. Always check the seller’s reputation and ask for a video of the machine running before you bid. Be prepared to do some maintenance, like replacing carbon brushes in the motor or getting the blades sharpened. If you’re comfortable with a wrench, this is the smartest way to get professional-grade performance on a budget.

Lehman’s: Traditional Non-Electric Hand Shears

Lehman’s caters to the non-electric, traditional homestead, and their selection of shears reflects that ethos. Here you’ll find high-quality, old-fashioned blade shears, sometimes called handpieces. These are essentially specialized, spring-loaded scissors designed for shearing sheep.

This is the ultimate solution for an off-grid homestead or for someone who prioritizes a calm shearing experience. There are no noisy motors to spook the animals and no cords to get tangled in. Shearing with hand shears is a skill, but it offers incredible precision and is much gentler on the animal’s skin.

The trade-off is speed and physical effort. Shearing a single sheep with hand shears is a workout and can take significantly longer than with electric shears. But for a homesteader with just one or two sheep, or for tasks like trimming around the face and udders, a quality pair of blade shears from Lehman’s is an indispensable, lifelong tool.

Jeffers Pet Supply: Competitive Shearing Deals

Think of Jeffers as another version of Valley Vet, a reliable online source for a wide range of livestock supplies. They carry many of the same brands, like Andis and Oster, but it’s always worth price-checking between them. Sometimes Jeffers will have a specific model on sale or offer a bundle deal that includes extra blades or clipper oil.

One area where Jeffers shines is in its selection of consumables. They are a great source for different types of clipper blades, coolants, and lubricants. When you’re running electric clippers, keeping the blades cool and oiled is non-negotiable for extending their life and ensuring a smooth cut. You can often stock up on these essentials while ordering other farm supplies.

Don’t overlook their "scratch and dent" or clearance sections online. Because they deal in such high volume, you can occasionally find a clipper set with a damaged box for a significant discount. For a tool that’s going to live in a barn anyway, a cosmetic blemish is a small price to pay for big savings.

Facebook Groups: Sourcing Second-Hand Local Gear

Never underestimate the power of your local farming community. Facebook Groups dedicated to homesteading, sheep farming, or livestock sales in your state or region are fantastic places to find used gear. People are constantly upgrading their equipment, downsizing their flocks, or getting out of animals altogether.

The key advantage here is the potential for a local, in-person transaction. You can often see the shears run before you buy them and talk to the seller directly about their history. This removes much of the guesswork involved with buying used equipment from a stranger on eBay. Search for groups like "[Your State] Sheep Producers" or "Homesteading Exchange [Your County]."

Of course, you need to exercise standard caution for online marketplaces. But often, you’re buying from a fellow farmer who is happy to see their old equipment go to a good home. This is also the best way to find older, high-quality machines that are too heavy or expensive to ship, offering incredible value if you’re willing to go for a drive.

Ultimately, the right shears are the ones that match the scale of your flock and your willingness to maintain the tool. A cheap clipper that burns out halfway through your only ewe is a terrible bargain, while a professional rig for two pet sheep is overkill. Assess your needs honestly, weigh the tradeoffs between cost and durability, and choose the tool that will make shearing day a success, not a struggle.