The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Hillview Farm on January 22, 2014, 08:11:28 am
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Ok I thought it may be easier to start a new post on this matter. Some of you may have seen I've bought two pedigree Shetland ewes.
The pedigrees state that they are a black and a brown katmoget. Now there fleeces are grey/ fawn I think. Are they stated as brown and black as that is there base colour?
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If they are Katmoget then colour should be what ever is on the face, stripe down chest, underbelly and up the back legs
this is a good link showing nice clear photos
http://www.shetlandsheepinfo.com/FLEECE/katmoget_genetics.htm (http://www.shetlandsheepinfo.com/FLEECE/katmoget_genetics.htm)]http://www.shetlandsheepinfo.com/FLEECE/katmoget_genetics.htm
Although I think it is american, so they might change a few words but not sure, but good photos of the under bellies and rear ends
2nd photo down on this page of my web shows a katmoget ewes front nicely
http://keepersfarm.webs.com/shetland-sheep (http://keepersfarm.webs.com/shetland-sheep)]http://keepersfarm.webs.com/shetland-sheep
This photo shows her base coat just after I sheared her, and her daughter to the left pre shearing!
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Black and brown are the genes at a specific place (there are three places for different fleece genes)
Black is dominant over brown.
Two brown genes and a 'plain' gene at a different place, gives you a plain moorit.
Two brown genes and a katmoget gene at the different place, gives you a fawn or a moorit katmoget (there is a modifier gene that alters the brown slightly). A fawn katmoget has a more 'ginger' colour and the moorit katmoget is a bit darker brown.
At least one black gene gives a black fleece, but with a katmoget gene too, gives a grey katmoget.
So they are not called brown and black katmogets, they are called fawn/moorit katmoget and grey katmoget.
Shetland Sheep genetics (http://www.shetlandsheepinfo.com/FLEECE/colour_genetics.htm)
I find this useful.
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Yes Jaykay that link is really good. I have spent a few hours on it looking into colour genetics just before Xmas and it makes a lot of sense! (although I am looking forward to what my black Shetland tup has produced with the Gotland ewes and Gotland x texel ewes....
Hillview - I am surprised that the registration papers state black or brown plus katmoget, I thought that combination doesn't exist?
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So I have a fawn and grey katmoget. I can send you there numbers so you can see it on the flock book.
They are in good shape for nearly 7 year olds!
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Seven years old.... mere babes in Shetland years.... ;D, the oldest one I lambed was 12 years old (but was then promptly retired and had to be put down the following winter suffering what seemed to be a stroke!)
I think registration person wasn't paying that much attention maybe, nice girls though!
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Anke that's really good to hear! I was worried the ewes were past their best, I didn't realise how old they were at the time!
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I have an 8yr old Moorit ewe :) she has one tooth missing but is the stroppiest and strongest out of the lot :)