[Jacob-list] Re: Docking

[perfectspot]

We typically dock tails (as long as lambs arrive early enough) and 
our experience confirms that the sheep DO stay cleaner.  We dock at a 
longer, more natural length and they do stay cleaner than their full-
tailed peers. That lower part of the tail often catches the urine 
dribbles and the docked girls are definitely more pristine looking 
than the undocked ones. Degree of cleanliness varies though, not only 
with tail length, but also wool length. 

We have humid conditions usually from May through October, and while 
it was a change from the previous "drought" years, our county tallied 
92.5" of rain in the last calendar year.  Heat and humidity?...yes!!

The breed standard is not yet written to dis-allow docking of tails. 
If there is strong opposition to having the option, perhaps the 
standard should define tails as un-docked and at a specific length?


Cathy
Perfect Spot Farm