[Jacob-list] docking tails

[Donnangelo, Nick]

I totally agree with Linda; I have several ewes that are undocked; on a healthy ewe there should be no accumulation of filth on their tails.

Further, I would strongly urge against docking an adult.  If an appendage to too large it doesn't nicely fall off, you can wind up with gangrene. Lastly, docking now is an invitation for fly strike.

Nick Donnangelo
Shiloh Manor


From: jacob-list-bounces at jacobsheep.com [mailto:jacob-list-bounces at jacobsheep.com] On Behalf Of Linda
Sent: Monday, May 03, 2010 1:10 PM
To: avillionfarm at avillionfarm.com
Cc: Jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] docking tails

I agree. I have two ewes that aren't docked. Most years, they have not been shorn before lambing and I don't often crutch, being too lazy to do so. Their tails are not messy even after lambing. Even sheep with docked tails can be messy if they go through a bout of diarrhea. Both of my ewes hold their tails up easily and they are not damp with urine or stained with feces. Messy, dirty tails can occur with any length or even with no tail. I'd be more concerned about why the tails are so seriously dirty.


Linda .

avillionfarm at avillionfarm.com<mailto:avillionfarm at avillionfarm.com> wrote:

Two things:



(1) I am surprised at having seriously dirty tails on long-tailed jacob

sheep.

All the best, Elaina



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