[Jacob-list] lilac

[Jennifer]

This is 100% correct.  Before we added copper, we had liver biposies done on 6 lambs we butchered, and 2 yearling or above rams we butchered.  We had also had 2 animals diagnosed with Cu Deficiency and had a rash of aborted fetuses, also linked to Cu a few years ago.  There is some research that Jacob and other Natural Colored sheep have a higher Cu tolerance than other breeds.. it is also ASSUMED that they have a higher requirement.... perhaps related to the pigmented wool.

Jennifer Tucker
Moose Mtn Ranch
Bennett, CO


-----Original Message-----
From: Linda <patchworkfibers at windstream.net>
To: Jennifer <gotothewhip at aol.com>
Cc: olgasteig <olgasteig at gmail.com>; jacob-list <jacob-list at jacobsheep.com>; fourhornfarm <fourhornfarm at frontier.com>; Jacobflock <Jacobflock at aol.com>
Sent: Fri, May 25, 2012 1:47 pm
Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] lilac


              I've seen some rather        drastic changes in fleece quality - mostly handle and luster -        in sheep I've sold. They've left here with luster and a nice        handle and six months later, they have dull looking and feeling        fleeces. I think it's probably related to minerals or a richer        diet than Jacobs require. The sheep are healthy and growthy and        often seem to have very heavy fleeces.
        I believe some of the UK breeders have mentioned on the list        that they have to add copper. 
        Obviously this is not something you would do without a little        research and perhaps some analysis of feeds/soils/water. 
        Linda
      
    On 5/24/2012 10:57 PM, Jennifer wrote:    
        
Im noticing a            difference in the amount of washing or graying out of the            dark (lilac or black) color now that Iam adding  copper (YES            COPPER) to the diet of my sheep.  While they are low, sheep            do have copper requirements, but I have a high molybdenum in            the  soil, and high iron in the water, both tie up available            copper....I was getting washing out of colors and brillo pad            like wool on some... that is going away.  I am feeding a            loose mineral with 250ppm.. 
        
 
        
Jennifer Tucker
        
Moose Mtn Ranch
        
Bennett, CO
      
    
    
    
-- 
            Patchwork          Farm Jacob Sheep    
  
 
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