[Jacob-list] De-horning facts

[Linda]

Would Jacobs (and other horned breeds) then be more heat tolerant than polled breeds?  I am frequently asked how Jacobs do in hot, humid areas like southern Georgia or Florida. Our part of Georgia seldom reaches 90 (close to it, though).  I usually mention your flock near Dallas.  Never been to Dallas, but from the weather reports, sounds like you get sweltering heat, drought, hurricanes, tornados, and ice storms!  

Linda
www.patchworkfibers.com
Registered Jacob Sheep, Angora Rabbits, Handspun Yarn

On Fri, 25 Feb 2005 15:08:04 EST, Jacobflock at aol.com wrote:

>
> Dehorning a Jacob is similar to removing part of the radiator from
> a car.  The basic function of horns is to act as part of the
> "temperature" regulation system of the animal. A sheep selectively
> cools its brain through the carotid rete (a resevoir of blood
> unique to sheep and cattle) which is a "junction" of the jugular
> vein, carotid artery, nasal veins, horn veins and the sinus cavity. 
>  Without the horn arteries and veins (some of which are 1/4 to 1/2"
> wide at the core base), cooling is limited to the nasal sinus
> cavity (the panting reflex). 
>
> Fred Horak