Why don't sheep shrink in the rain?

Answer 1

Ewe have asked and I wool answer: sheep shrink not from rain,
for shearers shirk their chores when sunshine vanishes.
Unshorn sheep need not seek shelter, since their pelts repel
the pelting pellets of precipitation's pour. Porous yes, but
pour oil on troubled waters, and the pores are full of lanolin

In other words, the lanolin coaitng the sheep protects it from getting wet.

Answer 2

That's a really good question, I had to think about it for a moment.

When wool is spun into thread and yarn, several strands are twisted and forced together. When a piece of wool clothing shrinks due to getting wet and drying, the individual fibers aren't shrinking, they're tightening up and pulling together more, so there is less space between threads. This doesn't happen on the body of a sheep because the fibers aren't spun together, they're simply attached like really thick fur or hair. Also, like any mammal, sheep have natural oils that develop on their skin that coat their wool while its on their bodies, which would also make it slightly more resistant to any water effects.

Hope that makes sense!

Answer 3

I think I explained this once before.

Sheep don't shrink (well, they do if you starve them, then the SPCA will be on your case) WOOL shrinks.

However, wool has to be washed in HOT water in order to shrink.

If you don't bring your sheep in from a scalding hot rain, the SPCA will be on your case. (Yup, again!)

The hot water will wash away the oily coating on the wool and then it will shrink - therefore strangling your sheep, and making them shrink. The SPCA will be out to see you in this case, and they won't be happy. (what, again? will these protectors of animals never stop?)

So, you had better get the shepherd out there and bring them in to the barn.

However, most rains are air temperature or cooler. Wool doesn't shrink in cool water.

So . . . . that's basically why sheep don't shrink in the rain. . . . if anything, they swell up when the wool absorbs all that water, then they waddle around looking pitiful.

(Just a farm girl that got stuck bringing in the sheep.)

Answer 4

Wool dose not shrink in cool water. Even if you put hot water on the sheep only the hair would shrink.

Answer 5

I don't know where you hang out but where I'm from they do. ???? Are you serious? Your sheep don't shrink in the rain? Thanks for making me feel like a weirdo.

Answer 6

I don't know.. but can you say "sheep shrink" 25 times real fast??

Answer 7

Their skin produces lanolin, an oily substance that lubricates their skin and pelt. It also is a water repellent. Since their body produces the stuff, they have a never ending supply. All that lanolin keeps their wool dry, so, that would answer your question

Answer 8

the sheep herders smear them with Rain-X and the rain just beeds off of them.

Answer 9

Because they cover themselves in butter every morning so the rain just slides right off.

Answer 10

because for the same reason you don't when you wear wool.. the wool coat on them tightens but the body doesn't shrink