[Jacob-list] lilac

[Linda]

That's the opposite of what I see in my lilac lambs. The body color at 
birth looks black, but the facial color is what tells me the lamb is 
lilac. Leg markings often appear black, but eventually start to show 
browning. Dr. Sponenberg wrote an article about various modifying genes 
that affect the color, but are not color genes - early graying, roaning, 
tolerance to sun, etc. I wonder if some of these modifying genes might 
account for the difference between chocolate and blue lilacs.I would be 
very interested to hear more about Dr. S's report at the AGM.

Sheep that are not a traditional black have been registered as lilac. If 
we accept that lilac is recessive, lilacs bred together should always 
produce lilacs. This has not happened with some sheep registered as 
lilac. Either our definition of lilac or our understanding of the 
genetics of lilacs is flawed.

Linda



On 3/30/2012 6:46 AM, Betty Berlenbach wrote:

> I don't have a lot of experience with lilac, but I've had a question 

> asked of me.  I know that occasionally, I will have a lamb that looks 

> black, but when it dries off, in the light, it is very dark grey, with 

> that telltale "halo" of lighter color around the eyes and blue eyes. 

> Still, it is not the blue=lilac/light grey, blue eyed color from birth 

> that I've seen.  In the dark grey type, the head and leg markings seem 

> to remain black, though the body color is very dark grey. AND, I've 

> heard people talk about chocolate brown lilac.  So, is "lilac" another 

> word for "not-black" or what?  The guide book/breed standard, unless 

> I"ve missed it, doesn't talk about these variations.  I recall Phil 

> Sponenberg, way long ago at a N.J. AGM bring up the thought that there 

> were two jacob blacks, one dominant to the other, both dominant over 

> regular ol' white sheep white.  No idea whether that was something 

> others observed and what difference it made or why he thought there 

> were two.  So, Fred and others, thoughts?

>

>

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