Some of their handiwork can be purchased in the villages. Shearing is done once or twice a year with hand clippers. There is a reluctance to use electric shears because of wool quality and the difficulty in getting replacement combs and cutters. With the tropical climate, sheep and goats breed year-round, typically producing three crops in two years. Twinning is common in goats, but quite variable in sheep, with considerable room for improvement.
Some shepherds have only a few sets of twins, while others claim to have a majority of twin births.
Limited selection is practiced for reproductive rate. Given the difficult environmental conditions, not all farmers are convinced they want multiple births. Nonetheless, we encourage selection for twins, as reproductive rate is one of the most important factors affecting profitability. Rams typically run with ewes all year round, making it difficult for farmers to plan breedings, flush ewes and feed according to stage of production. Some of the better farmers have started to separate rams and have defined breeding seasons.