[Jacob-list] Docking tails on adult sheep

[Linda]

It just seems odd that 2 (or even 4) joints longer would make that much 
difference.
Since we are talking about banding - how old have you banded ram lambs?

Linda

Royal Unzicker wrote:

> Hi Jaci,

> I do  understand that most people who do  not dock never seem to have 

> a  problem.   But I believe your question had more to do with whether 

> an  adult sheep can be docked.   My experience is different from most 

> who have responded.    For what ever reason, I do not like long tails 

> on  my sheep.  When I have purchased adult sheep with long tails I 

> have always docked them.  I clip the wool from the area where I want 

> to band.   In put two or three bands in the same place.  Adult sheep 

> don't  seem to know they have been docked .   Never any indication of 

> pain  or discomfort in my experience.  I would try to clean the area 

> well and disinfect it.  It will take longer for an adult tail to fall 

> of then for a lamb. 

> Royal

>  

>

>     ----- Original Message -----

>     *From:* Jaci Siehl <mailto:sugarpinejacobs at yahoo.com>

>     *To:* JacobList <mailto:jacob-list at jacobsheep.com>

>     *Sent:* Sunday, May 02, 2010 11:21 AM

>     *Subject:* [Jacob-list] Docking tails on adult sheep

>

>     I have two ewes with "an experiment gone wrong".  Last year I

>     thought I'd try docking tails one joint longer.  Well, one was 2

>     joints longer and the other one slipped down about 4 joints.  Both

>     have extremely dirty tails that I don't like and would like to

>     dock them back to the normal length of all my other sheep.

>      

>     I don't have a vet close by that would surgically dock for me so

>     it would mean driving 60 miles one way, plus the cost at the vet's

>     (not a practical option at this time).

>      

>     I assume I could just band them again at the correct spot, but I

>     am concerned that this may just make the end die but not fall off

>     AND that it would be very painful for the sheep for a long time.

>      

>     Third option would be for me to cut the tails myself - but I've

>     only done day-old puppies this way and not sure about sheep.

>      

>     Any opinions, suggestions, or previous experiences would be welcomed. 

>

>     /Jaci Siehl/

>     *Sugarpine Jacobs*

>     *530-538-9474*

>

>

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