[Jacob-list] Old Sheep Needs

[Cathy Robinson]

Many of you that are acquainted with our flock know that we have a spry, 
old ewe still with us that has passed her 20th year.
Except for some arthritis, Jane appears to be in great shape for her 
age...she even has all her teeth...that I can see.

For those of you with either good nutrition backgrounds, or experience 
with geriatric sheep, I would be interested in your comments regarding 
something we have been watching on her for about a year now.  Her new 
horn growth (that area closest to her head) is now narrowing in 
diameter, and fairly significantly.  The horn material in that area also 
appears to be dry and flaky rather than smooth and dark as it has been 
in years past.

I am wondering if this is typical for really old Jacob sheep, or if it 
might be indicative of a deficiency at her stage in life that we could 
be supplementing.  Her horns SEEM to be solid, but I honestly wonder if 
their strength may be compromised if the trend continues. Should we 
expect them to be more fragile as she continues to age?   Not sure how 
many years this girl intends to stay with us, but she is an amazing 
example of primitive, hardy, and healthy!  

Our sheep do have access to mineral at all times;  we also use a 
supplement tub throughout the year, and Jane's group still has one. 
 Several of the other sheep have lost theirs due to "excess" condition. 
 I don't see how Jane could be deficient in anything, unless there is 
something she should be getting LOTS more of  than the norm.  If that is 
the case, that would be no problem, as we feed her separately from the 
other girls in her group anyway.  She is on a strictly measured amount 
of grain because otherwise she takes WAY more than she needs.  She 
thinks it is a privilege to eat alone, and we are sure she thinks she is 
getting MORE than anyone else with her special treatment!  We haven't 
told her the truth!   :-)

Any ideas or advice would be welcome.

Cathy
Perfect Spot Farm, NC