The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: harmony on March 18, 2015, 09:35:41 am

Title: polled breed lambs have horns breaking through
Post by: harmony on March 18, 2015, 09:35:41 am

We bought our first pedigree sheep last year who went on to produce 3 fine tup lambs just before Christmas and has done a great job rearing all three herself.


Suffolks are, of course, a polled breed so imagine our disappointment this week to see two of the three are breaking horns. How unlucky is that?

Title: Re: polled breed lambs have horns breaking through
Post by: Ladygrey on March 18, 2015, 09:54:33 am

Are you sure they arent just scurs??

I have charmoise which are a polled breed and last year two of the ram lambs had scurs, they grew to 2 inches each and the dropped off in the summer

Title: Re: polled breed lambs have horns breaking through
Post by: harmony on March 18, 2015, 10:22:33 am

Thanks for your reply. That's what I'm hoping.

Title: Re: polled breed lambs have horns breaking through
Post by: Marches Farmer on March 18, 2015, 11:20:27 am

Suffolks were originally a cross between the polled Southdown and the Norfolk Horn.  I wouldn't breed from an animal with scurs.

Title: Re: polled breed lambs have horns breaking through
Post by: Gunnermark on March 18, 2015, 07:19:02 pm

I would think they are scurs and just come off if they rub their heads against something!

Title: Re: polled breed lambs have horns breaking through
Post by: Ladygrey on March 18, 2015, 08:04:51 pm

I forgot to mention.....

They are of course nothing to worry about and please do remember that scurs are of course un-important if the animal is bred for performance, growth etc, ultimately they would only matter in animals bred for looks or for showing.
None of the people who have ever bought my rams or ram lambs have ever worried about them or bought the rams for their looks  :thumbsup: so unless you are showing they then should be fine  :)