[Jacob-list] Breeding Question

[Lynette Frick]

Actually they are more than likely talking about a form of OCD
(Osteocondritis Dissicans), which affects the joint at the base of the scull
that attaches the head to the neck. Basically the little pieces that stick
out from the bottom of the head look tweaked... a condition also know as OCD
(Occipital Condyle Dysplasia), which causes the lambs to be paralyzed,
wobblers (ataxia), fall over, or just be unthrifty in severe enough cases.
It is a disorder that can be found in any breed of livestock, and humans,
but for some reason is more prevalent in the Jacob Breed of sheep. Some
people say that breeding a two horned to a four horned will help reduce the
likelihood of having any problems with OCD, and that OCD is only found in 4h
stock. I do all my own butchering, and found a perfectly healthy lamb with
two horns, out of a two horned dam, and four horned sire, with a sever case
of OCD. He did not display any ataxia, nor was he unthrifty. The dam and
sire where both butchered... for other reasons, neither of which displayed
any degree of abnormality of the occipital condyles. One half brother (sire
line) was butchered, and was found to have even more severe condyllar
dysplasia, another half brother out of the same sire, and a very similar dam
line, was completely normal. Once I receive the radiographs, I will make
them accessible to everyone, as they are very interesting, and noticeable
cases. Good luck with your new sheep, and I wouldn't worry too much about
breeding 2H to 4H, just pick the absolute best, and healthy stock you can,
and go from there. It's really all you can do, but remember don't toss out
the opportunity to use a good two horn, as they are usually cheaper, and
give you just as nice, REGISTERABLE offspring! We have had some perfect sets
of four horns sired by two horned rams, over four horned ewes. Just look at
both the sire and dam's 4h parentage if you have the chance. The Jacob
Genepool is just too shallow to toss out good genetics over a single trait
that isn't even considered a fault by registry.




By the way, if any one would like to participate in a little research
project about OCD just let me know.


Thank you, good luck, and happy lambing!

Lynette Frick
IDEAL FARM
Jacob Sheep
www.idealjacobsheep.com
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