[Jacob-list] Shearing Time! / Grey Banding in Fleeces

[Linda]

Good timing - I have a rough draft of a post to send on the same subject. A Cheviot breeder was here last week (getting rabbits) and asked me if I had to use a higher copper content to keep my colors dark. He had colored Cheviots and said it was recommended by other breeders. I didn't get a chance to get any references from him, but would like to.  Copper is required for the production of melanin. In rabbits, you'll see a distinct graying from copper deficiency.  I have seen the banding in my sheep. A while back we had some problems with our premix and the sheep weren't getting the required minerals. I saw alot of banding in the fleeces (and way too many weak lambs). I'm interested in what others have to say. 

Linda



>

> I do have a question for you all:

>

> What might be the cause of grey bands in the fleeces? These bands

> are only across what would be the "black" spots, and are verying

> shades of grey. They look pleasant, but at this rate I'm not going

> to have any black wool! I'm thinking it may be something

> nutritional, but am not sure. Most of the sheep that I have noticed

> it on have a tendency towards greying anyway, but this is extreme,

> and generally in the same location on each animal. Very noticeable. 

> I have never had bands like this in my previous clips. I'm thinking

> that maybe I should have blood work done to check for mineral

> deficiencies? The only difference from the previous years is that

> the sheep haven't had regular access to mineral blocks that last

> 4mo. and that looks about where the banding would begin?

>

> I put a page up http://www.idealjacobsheep.com/greybands.html which

> has a picture that shows pretty clearly how this looks on several

> of my sheep.

>

> Thanks in advance, and happy shearing!

>

>

> Lynette Frick

> IDEAL FARM

> Jacob Sheep

> www.idealjacobsheep.com

  
http://www.patchworkfibers.com 
Registered Jacob Sheep, Handspun Yarn  
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