[Jacob-list] Another horn question

[Linda]

I do agree that nutrition can play a big part in horn, etc development and I also believe that genetics does play a large part.  I find discussions like this very helpful.  If we find only one lamb in a flock that has weak horns, it seems that the first place to look would be the background of the lamb.  What did the four horned females look like?  What do the previous lambs from both parents look like? Just to rule it out, I'd check the parasite load and general health of the lamb - including teeth, etc. Possibly the one lamb has a higher nutritional need for some reason.
 
Or it's also entirely possible that Kathey's lamb is more primitive and will develop nice feminine horns in time.  Lambs don't all develop at the same rate.

Linda



On Sat, 7 May 2005 06:50:06 -0700 (PDT), Christopher Brantley wrote:
> Kathey,

>
> I've found in other breeds and other animals, nutrient deficiencies
> cause poor development of horns, bones, teeth, etc.
>
> I think Neal, or Fred mentioned environmental impacts on horn
> development. I should look at their intake of selenium, calcium,
> and iron. There are a few other trace minerals as well that may
> have some effect on horn development. It may be interesting if you
> have not looked yet, to look at their teeth and see if there are
> any deformities there; if so look most closely at calcium intake.
>
> The other factor being genetic would be a defect which may be
> possible with the same parents, but still unlikely.
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