[Jacob-list] Breeders who forgo tail docking: your experiences?

[Peg Bostwick]

I think this is mostly a matter of personal preference.   We have always had
a couple here and there with long tails, and never had a problem.  Joe
docked our lambs because he preferred them that way.  Last year he didn't.
We got some comments from buyers who planned to dock when they got them
home, but no one who refused to buy.   I had a couple of lambs with "nasty"
rear ends, but they needed cleaning up anyway and the tail didn't make it
worse.  Our shearer does not complain about tails.  I've shown sheep with
tails that have done well - some judges give you a funny look.  

 

Lambs that have longer hair/wool on their tails may have a funny "poofy"
look that is a bit less than elegant.  But overall, I like the fact that
they can protect their sensitive parts a bit from flies, and cold.  They do
wiggle their tails at flies.   Haven't had any breeding problems that I know
of.   We are skipping docking again this year.  If Joe goes back to it,
we'll go back to debating "how long" - at least a half tail is a good
compromise in my opinion.

 

Peg Bostwick

peg at sweetgrass-jacobs.com

517-626-6981

 

From: jacob-list-bounces at jacobsheep.com
[mailto:jacob-list-bounces at jacobsheep.com] On Behalf Of Lindsay Oaster
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2013 1:18 AM
To: Jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
Subject: [Jacob-list] Breeders who forgo tail docking: your experiences?

 

Hello everyone,

So far we have been docking tails on our lambs, and this year we are
considering leaving them intact.  I understand that buyer preferences vary,
shearers generally find it more convenient when they're docked, and that
cleanliness can be an issue but Jacobs do have control over their tails.

I'm interested in hearing from folks whose sheep have their original tails.
Have you experienced difficulties with them breeding, keeping clean
(day-to-day or post-birthing), increased problems from flystrike or other
nasties, etc.?  Anything else I should be keeping in mind?



-Lindsay Oaster
Fat Toaster Farm

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://www.pairlist.net/pipermail/jacob-list/attachments/20130415/872c43ae/attachment.htm>