We used to shear in January before lambing. Now we shear when we're done. Suzie is a standard donkey. We got her when she was 6 mos old. When in the barn she has her own box stall next to the sheep. She instinctly knows that they are hers to protect. You don't want two donkeys because they won't tend the sheep as close. When in the pasture if something bothers her she'll bring the sheep to the middle of the lot and keep her head up watching and listening. When it's clear she'll go back to grazeing and the sheep will spread out again. She's always in the middle of the flock.