Penny - This is a little off topic, but what you brought up about the "families" we've noticed, too. The leadership thing is apparently genetic - and the...
Hi Marie - I, too, raise Icelandics. However, I raise polled Icelandics, and so never have trouble with large horn buds during lambing. ;-) In talking with...
I like the differences between breeds(which would be why I have four!!) I just LOVE my Shetlands- though from a commercial standpoint they aren't quite as...
What kind of conformational characteristics are associated with leadership in your sheep? Thanks! Corrine Maupin, OR ________________________________ From:...
What are people's thoughts on horned versus polled with Navajo-Churros and lambing problems? Is being horned a predisposing factor to lambing difficulties...
In Shetlands though- typically only the rams are horned- they also don't have quite the horn development at birth that the Icelandic's do. I have had ...
They are typically longer legged, more lean, more upright, and horned. They honestly don't care AT ALL what they look like. As they have said- we don't care...
Leadersheep tend to be taller, more narrowly built, less meaty, and milkier than non-leadersheep-genetic Icelandic sheep. They also tend to maintain a more...
Interesting topics. I have a lot of Navajo-Churros. Have had them since 1981. Probably only had problems with 3-4 deliveries, where I was worried about the...
"Don't like the Shetland rams for their horns(destructive little brats!!)" For those who may be unaware, the poll gene is naturally occurring in the Shetland...
Leadersheep are usually taller and thinner, have longer legs - that's the most obvious characteristic. Catherine ________________________________ From: Corrine...
One thing to keep in mind when breeding for polled- it the presence of scurs- some of which will need to be trimmed, as they can twist in some very interesting...
Colors only in horses & dogs.... There is testing for certain diseases in sheep & goats but I am completely turned off of elisa testing. It is unreliable....
I had a horned Shetland ram that liked to sneak up on me and tag me on the butt. He would step back and baa at me like he was laughing. I would then grab him...
Thanks for that perspective Kathy! I will be getting a horned N-C ram next year and I had my reservations about horned rams, not having had one before. We...
Hi Corinne Be sure to get a classic shepherd's crook if you don't already have one. Learn how to use it on a horned ram (hook around the neck, then pull the ...
This is a little off topic, but where do you recommend purchasing a sheperd's crook? Thanks! Corrine ________________________________ From: Gail Former...
Most any of the online sheep supply places carry them I'm in Indiana, so mine came from Midwest Wool Growers. They always have a booth at NAILE. Other large...
Another thing about horned rams - if you have trouble moving them, do what we've done - wrap some rope around their horns and then have someone sit in the back...
Scottie ram lambs always seem to have more difficult births. The ewes usually make it on their own, though I've helped a few. The worst one we've had was a...
My worst was the same conditions except this tiny first time Shetland mom was breech. No room to turn. I had to brace my feet against her but and pull with all...
Jennifer - No, I don't think it's unique to the Scottish Blackface breed. From time to time we've had Icelandic lambs ( both ewe and ram) with VERY large...