[Jacob-list] Breeding question

[Neal and Louise Grose]

Some used to recommend that 4 horn rams should be interbred with 2 horn rams to fore-stall split upper eyelid deformity and produce more balanced horns. 
This is ... uh ... misinformation. 
If you want "correct" four-horn type, then breed for correct balance and set, and this is only a repeatable outcome if you use correct four-horn rams. Likewise, there is no difference in the rate of SUED in heterozygous polycerate versus homozygous polycerate sheep. We have used 4 horn rams almost exclusively for the last 20 years, and we have seen no increase in problems.

Neal Grose
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Chris and Tina Griffin 
  To: Jacob list 
  Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2009 12:45 PM
  Subject: [Jacob-list] Breeding question


  We just bought 6 more Jacobs on Monday.  Only one has 4 horns (ewe).  The seller told me not to breed a 4 horn ram to a 4 horn ewe or you take a chance of having a cranial birth defect of some sort.  Can anyone confirm this for me? We have another ram and ewe that we are thinking about purchasing.  The ram is a 4 horn and I have not seen the ewe yet.  We also have someone interested in buying a pair from us, so we would like to know if we should sell the 4 horn ewe whose markings are not so good so that we can bring in the 4 horn ram?
  Thanks All!
  Chris - Chatham, VA


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