bide a wee
Aerie #407
(Click photos to
enlarge)
Born: 3-7-12
4 Horns - Twin - Eyes: L1/R3*
45% white / 55% black
Photo taken 4-25-13 *Note:
Jacob sheep are 'polycerates' which means they
carry genetics for multiple horns. The genes which cause
the horns to spit into multiple horns can also cause the split to run down
to the eye socket, creating a split in the upper eyelid. The term for
this is Split Upper Eyelid Deformity (SUED). The numbers 1 through 4 are used to
describe the severity of the split. Type 1 = normal
eyelid, Type 2 = a slight break or notch in the eyelid, Type 3 = a split
eyelid, often tufted, Type 4 = a severe split, often with a cloudy/opaque
eye.
It's an individual breeder's decision whether or not to use an animal with SUED. On our farm we're
willing to use a EWE with a #2 or #3 split provided we like everything else
about her. We would not however be likely use a RAM with a #3
split since he has the ability to produce a lot more lambs over his lifetime
than a ewe does.
Using a TRUE 2 horn ram (NOT a 2 horn who is actually a 4 horn with the
tell tale seam running the length of his horns) on ewes with SUED will
reduce the incidence of SUED in her lambs.
SUED should be
monitored in a flock but total suppression could cause a decrease in the
number of 4 horn Jacob sheep. For example, in
England, breeding against SUED eliminated much of
the 4 horn Jacob population.
For more
information on this topic (and others related to Jacob sheep) check out the
archives for the Jacob chat
list at:
http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/jacob-list
www.jacobsheep.com
|
Sweetgrass Tobin
JSBA
#C127-10
4 Horns - Twin
65% white / 35% black |
Sweetgrass
Riordan
JSBA
#D041-09
4 Horns - Twin - 60% white /
40% black |