The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Trinemus on March 04, 2019, 10:11:26 pm

Title: Hermaphrodite
Post by: Trinemus on March 04, 2019, 10:11:26 pm

Hi,

First post, so please be gentle with me....

Does anyone have any experience with hermaphrodite sheep?
We're going to have to take our lovely shetland/Portland cross to the abbatoir due to her harassing the pregnant ewes (she's turned bossy and amarous). Will she be any good for the freezer? She smells like a ram, unfortunately, so was wondering if the meat will be rank, too.
She's nearly 1 year old.

Hope you can help

Trine

Title: Re: Hermaphrodite
Post by: nimbusllama on March 05, 2019, 09:37:42 am

A few years ago I had an hermaphrodite born as what looked like one of three female triplets.
It was only after she started to get a 'rammy' head  that I realised the situation, she did smell as well.  I sent her off with a ram lamb of the same age and he didn't smell at all, so I think it was her 'condition' that caused the smell.  She didn't have any ram taint at all so I think you will be OK.

Title: Re: Hermaphrodite
Post by: SallyintNorth on March 05, 2019, 03:02:52 pm

Yes, it happens.  I’ve seen maybe four or five in many many thousands of sheep.

As to sending her off when she smells rammy, I can’t say I’ve even thought about it till now.  But I have sent off a tup shortly after working who still smelt vey rammy.  He was so unhappy, even with his wether pals for company, we just decided to not wait for the hormones to die down, but end his misery and have him minced, on the basis we have plenty of dogs here, so if the meat smelled or tasted rank, it could be fed to the dogs.  In fact we all agreed it was some of the best mince we’d ever tasted!  (He was a Shetland.). So I’m not sure I actually believe in ram taint. :thinking: 

Title: Re: Hermaphrodite
Post by: macgro7 on March 05, 2019, 03:25:17 pm

They a billy goat then! Lol

Title: Re: Hermaphrodite
Post by: Fleecewife on March 05, 2019, 06:33:32 pm

The only 'hermaphrodite' (diagnosed by vet) we ever had was a Shetland, but in fact it was a male with an open urethra.  He peed like a ewe by squatting, but dribbled all the time.  So he wasn't an hermaphrodite at all, but a male with epispadias and otherwise full male attributes.  He stank, but of old urine.  I think he went to the abattoir with the others - we do still have his gorgeous skin.  His name was Boris, son of Yell......... Boris Yeltzin

Title: Re: Hermaphrodite
Post by: Trinemus on March 05, 2019, 10:28:20 pm

Thanks all, we'll send her off and try her meat - seems such a waste otherwise.

I just hope we have more luck with lambing this year... :fc:

All the best

Trine