[Jacob-list] Split eyelids

[Linda]

I wouldn't say that split eyelids are good - but they aren't necessarily a reason to cull, especially not in a ewe and especially if the split doesn't cause the sheep any discomfort.  I have used two ewes with sued and, so far (knock on wood), the ewes have not produced sued in their lambs.  I suppose if I were choosing one ewe from two identical ewes except that one had sued, I'd take the one without sued.  I'd be a little reluctant to use a ram with sued, although in certain cases, I might.  I wouldn't repeat breedings where sued occurred in the lambs, but wouldn't necessarily cull either parent.  A couple of years ago, one of my ewes had a really lovely ewe lamb with a slight notch.  I planned to keep the ewe lamb anyway, except her horns started to go forward, so I sold her.  I bred the same ewe to the son of the first ram (who has a nicer hornset than his sire) in the hopes of getting another nice ewe lamb, but with horns set back more.  Well, yesterday, I got a ewe lamb with horns set back more - and also got another split eyelid!  Obviously, these two lines just don't go together.

Linda
 
www.patchworkfibers.com
Registered Jacob Sheep, Angora Rabbits, Handspun Yarn
  Are split eyelids really bad,

> something to avoid, or just the shepard's preferance.  

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