[Jacob-list] breeding for polycerates

[Neal and Louise Grose]

We asked specifically if there were fewer SUED in 4-horned progeny of 2X4 horn crosses as opposed to 4X4 crosses. There were not. SUED seems to be distributed pretty equally among the various polycerate subgroups. Shaos happens.

I was one who suggested that the horn mass seems to distribute among the horns; however, I firmly believe that if we want to breed for strong polycerate animals, then we have to breed for strong polycerate traits. This means consistently using 4-horned rams on a portion of the flock and selecting for increased horn mass. There is a limit to what I will tolerate in large horns because in our flock, it tends to lead to an increase in forward tilted horns and SUED. Moderation is best.

Neal
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Betty Berlenbach 
  To: Mary Hansson 
  Cc: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com 
  Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2005 2:53 PM
  Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] breeding for polycerates


  Yeah, I know that, but she was asking if breeding 2 to 4 or 4 to 2 instead of 4 to 4 would yield STRONGER 4 horns in progeny...that's what I think would take years of study to figure out.  I know Marianne and Bob like to breed 2 to 4, thinking it yields less SUED in 4 horned, and it seems that 4 to 4 yields a further spread in 4 horns than 2 to 4 or 4 to 2.  And any SUED I have had has been in widespread four horned.
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Mary Hansson 
    To: Betty Berlenbach 
    Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2005 12:32 PM
    Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] breeding for polycerates


    Betty,

    Neal asked the question a few years back.  What we found was that horn number in large samples (instead of say in my own backyard) pointed to # of horns being pretty close to the predicted Mendel pea study......  100% 2 horned parents yield 2 horned offspring 100% of the time.  putting 4-horned to 2-horned yields about 75% 4-horned and 25% 2-horned.  Putting 4-horned with 4-horned only yields 4-horned 100% of the time if the parents appear to be homozygous 4-horned and only produce 4-horned offspring time after time.

    MEH
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