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

[lgnewsome at comcast.net]

I haven't docked tails so far.  I've had no health or sanitation issues, they seem to be pretty good at holding their tails out of the way.  The only draw back I've had is that it's hard to see whats going on under there, especially when you're looking for signs of impending lambs, like udder development, etc.  I try to shear my ewes about a month before lambing, and that takes care of the problem.  This year the weather was so cold I just crutched them and included shearing off the tail wool.  I breed to lamb in late April, so I haven't had any yet, but it is easy for me to see who is getting ready.  A potential problem with tail docking, is the Jacob Standard of tail length.  I have brought in a docked ewe and ram in the past, and some offspring have had tails that were well below their hocks .  I'm sure that if the ewe and ram had not been docked, it would have been obvious that their tails were too long.  We have a nice fleeced wether from the pair whose tail is so long it almost touches the ground, but his tail wool is always very clean, nearly pristine!  So it all depends on your preference.  I also find it amusing that the tail length is included in the Standard, since docking is permitted, so how can the length  be judged?  

----- Original Message -----
From: "Lindsay Oaster" <lindsayerin at gmail.com> 
To: Jacob-list at jacobsheep.com 
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2013 1:17:58 AM 
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 

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