[Jacob-list] Docking tails on adult sheep

[Cheryl Terrano]

Like Royal, I too do not like tails on my Jacobs. There are only 2 sheep here with tails, both were brought in several years ago as adults from the Culloden flock. Twig and Birch are mother and daughter. Twig is more primitive in her build and has a thinner tail, while Birch is built larger, like her sires line (Fieldwood). As much as I dislike tails on my sheep, I have yet to band either of these two adults. I would not dock Birch's tail myself. It is a larger, thicker tail and she does manage it herself rather well. Twig's tail is much thinner and, if I were to choose, it would her tail to dock. I don't know, maybe its her age or maybe I'm soft towards the old gal but I don't feel right about banding Twig's tail, despite my extreme dislike of sheep tails. For them, I make an exception without hesitation.

Now, I have banded tails on adult sheep with success and little (if any) discomfort noted by the animal. One sheep in particular had a longer tail (just past hock length). The tail was really thin and honestly, it disgusted me to see it, especially after shearing time. Aside from Twig and Birch, I get the same feeling with any sheep having a tail. I know, its weird and some folks are quite the opposite and feel very strongly against tail docking. Anyway, the 2nd shearing that sheep was here, I banded that tail. I did not use any local numbing. I saw her wiggling the tail a bit more often for half an hour but she never stopped eating hay and never showed any signs that it really bothered her. The tail fell off after about 2 1/2 weeks. It was late winter when this was done and the band area healed over quickly.

For the record, I would never consider banding an adult sheep tail in warm weather. It only takes a couple of warm days for fly strike to become an issue. That has to be the worst thing ever!


Cheryl in WV 
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-----Original Message-----
From: Royal Unzicker <runzicker at verizon.net>
To: Jaci Siehl <sugarpinejacobs at yahoo.com>; JacobList <jacob-list at jacobsheep.com>
Sent: Mon, May 3, 2010 3:44 pm
Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] Docking tails on adult sheep


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 
To: JacobList 
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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