[Jacob-list] Docking tails on adult sheep

[Mark Essen]

I am very interested in the  replies you get for this.  My neighbor and 
I sheared yesterday and she has a problem.  Her sheep are commercial 
white heavily fleeced sheep.  She has a few that are adults, but never 
docked.  She will have the vet out Tuesday for other reasons and plans 
on asking their advice.  The shearer suggested banding.  He said that 
after two weeks you would probably have to cut off the tail right under 
the band.
I will let you know what the vet suggests.

Jaci Siehl wrote:

> I have two ewes with "an experiment gone wrong".  Last year I thought 

> I'd try docking tails one joint longer.  Well, one was 2 joints longer 

> and the other one slipped down about 4 joints.  Both have extremely 

> dirty tails that I don't like and would like to dock them back to the 

> normal length of all my other sheep.

>  

> I don't have a vet close by that would surgically dock for me so it 

> would mean driving 60 miles one way, plus the cost at the vet's (not a 

> practical option at this time).

>  

> I assume I could just band them again at the correct spot, but I am 

> concerned that this may just make the end die but not fall off AND 

> that it would be very painful for the sheep for a long time.

>  

> Third option would be for me to cut the tails myself - but I've only 

> done day-old puppies this way and not sure about sheep.

>  

> Any opinions, suggestions, or previous experiences would be welcomed. 

>

> /Jaci Siehl/

> *Sugarpine Jacobs*

> *530-538-9474*

>

>

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-- 
Mark Essen
messen at socket.net