[Jacob-list] polled ewes

[Linda]

It's more likely your ewe is hornless than polled. The hornless gene refers to a sex linked characteristic, where the rams have horns and the ewes don't. From my understanding of the genetics, since your ewe produced a four horned daughter, she most likely carries the gene for "horned in both sexes" along with the gene for "horned in rams only".  Your hornless ewe cannot be registered, but her four horned daughter, who probably carries two "horned in both sexes" genes, can be if she meets the other standards.   Since Fred's back, I hope he will explain the horn genetics beyond what I can.  It's really fascinating.

JSBA did allow hornless ewes at the beginning, but hasn't for many years. The very limited genetics required more leeway than we currently need. It was expected that breeders would work towards horned ewes. We all benefiting from the hard work of those early breeders.

I haven't heard about using vinegar for longer fleeces, but some people swear on it for general good health - in people and sheep.  I use it sometimes in the water tubs that aren't free flowing, as it helps to keep the algae growth down and there is no trouble with getting them to drink it. Here's an interesting link about cider vinegar and sheep.  I haven't read it in awhile - it may mention fleece length: http://www.sheepmagazine.com/issues/24/24-1/Laurie_Ball-Gisch.html

Linda


 
www.patchworkfibers.com
Registered Jacob Sheep, Angora Rabbits, Handspun Yarn



>

> I'll try to send this again:

>

>

> After reading Cathy's post on polled or ewes with buds, I was

> thinking it's too bad the polled ewes are considered less

> desirable. One of my original Jacob ewes is polled and she almost

> always blesses us with a 4 horned lamb. She and her 4 horned

> daughter are also our most friendly of the flock, which makes

> doctoring, shearing & such so much easier.

>

> I have a question about wool length on our sheep. Except for our

> wether, no one else seems to have much length this year. I'm

> assuming part of this can be marked down to a really late shearing

> last year. Our sheared quit last year with out notifing anyone, so

> after not hearing anything from him by June, we finally bought

> shears and did our own. I was wondering if anyone has heard of or

> uses vinegar in the sheeps water, to aid in faster growth? I had

> read something about this somewhere(I read so much & then can't

> remember where I saw it) and wondered, if you could get them to

> drink it, if it would really help?

> Thanks again, for making me feel comfortable enough, to start

> posting again.

>

> Gail

>

> www.loveormoneyexotics.com

> _______________________________________________

>

>

> Gail

>

> www.loveormoneyexotics.com

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