[Jacob-list] banding and horns

[Paintedrockfarm at aol.com]

Great point on the banding thing Neal!
 
 
For the list...
 
As shepherds, we all realize that not every ram will make an ideal  wether.  
We have to make cull decisions based upon a number of  factors.  The first 
thing that comes to mind is simply the shear number of  rams one flock may have 
in a given year.  Now, I'm for diversity and,  at many times, use 4-6 different 
rams at breeding time to continually diversify  our lines.  But we also 
realize not every shepherd(ess) can do that!
 
Performing the "short scrotum" thing is a great way to grow out your  butcher 
lamb without running the risk of him being fertile later in the  fall.  The 
scrotum is pendulous because it is the natural  way keeping the testicles 
cooler than the rest of a ram's body -- a must  have for fertility!  When banding 
for locker lamb (at young age of 4-6  weeks here), we will routinely push the 
lamb testicles back into the  body cavity and simply band the scrotal sack.  
The ram will still be  "intact", make testosterone, grow larger in size, even 
have ram-itude. But,  because the testicles are continually exposed to a higher 
body temp  (remember, sheep are normally close to 103), it generally renders 
the ram  sterile.  It may not be 100% effective like an open castration 
(complete  surgical removal of the testicles and scrotum) but if you are butchering  
anyway, does it matter?
 
As for horns and what to do with them...
 
After we butcher, we also remove the horns with a hack saw.  Boiling  the 
horns (outdoors is a very good suggestion) will loosen the cartilage for  
removal.  Adding salt or baking soda to the water is a good idea.   I've never 
utilized "raw" horns -- the horn base "cartilage" (what I call it)  is still living 
tissue and will decay over time.  I cannot imagine  having decaying horns 
attached to my cabinets -- the coin style method of  cutting left me this picture 
in my head I just cannot get past without pointing  out the need to remove the 
horn base cartilage tissue first.
 
We use ram horns in making canes and walking sticks.  The right side  horn is 
great for right handed people and they left for lefties.  I like an  upright, 
straighter horn for staff's and walking sticks.  We have a photo  of one of 
our horn topped canes on our website: _www.paintedrockfarm.com_ 
(http://www.paintedrockfarm.com)  -- just take the Homesteader's  Market link from the home 
page to view it.
 
Buttons fashioned from horns are another option, albeit a time consuming  
task.  If anyone out there has suggestions for this tedious task, please  contact 
me!  We get a huge number of requests for buttons, toggles, etc.  for people 
making sweaters and cardigans out of our wool.  I can't  always keep up with 
the demand so suggestions are welcome!
 
On carcass issues...
 
I would not feed the carcass to dogs or any other creature -- bury him  where 
he was and make sure it is very deep to avoid a scavenger buffet  bar!  
Feeding a rotting carcass is a quick way to send your dog to the  vet with a case 
of pancreatitis.  This is a painful ailment (I had it  following a childhood 
bout with mumps) and usually very expensive to treat due  to the need of IV 
fluids, medications, etc.  Again, another one of those  "ounce of prevention" 
things!  Furthermore, not knowing why the animal died  would be a cause of concern 
in feeding the meat to another animal.  I would  say this even if you had 
found him sooner and knew exactly when the ram  died.  I still would be concerned 
about handling and using the horns  without this information.  I tend to err 
on the side  of caution so rarely a mainstream opinion here! :) 
 
Good luck in the horn endeavor -- post a note if you come up with other  
interesting ideas.  I'm sure there are many folks out there with extra  horns that 
need a job!
 
Take care -- Cheryl
 
 
Mike  & Cheryl Terrano
_Painted  Rock Farm_ (http://members.aol.com/paintedrockfarm) 
Route 4 Box 726
Buckhannon, WV  26201-9205
(304) 457-6620 
_paintedrockfarm at aol.com_ (http://paintedrockfarm@aol.com/) 
Breeders of Registered Jacob Sheep & French Angora  Rabbits
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