[Hillview Farm]

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?

[Ladygrey]

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

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

This photo shows her base coat just after I sheared her, and her daughter to the left pre shearing!

[jaykay]

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
I find this useful.

[Anke]

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?

[Hillview Farm]

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!

[Anke]

Seven years old.... mere babes in Shetland years.... , 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!

[Hillview Farm]

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!

[Ladygrey]

I have an 8yr old Moorit ewe she has one tooth missing but is the stroppiest and strongest out of the lot