[LecturerGem]

Anybody that breeds horned sheep, please help.  I have three Hebridean lambs born in April (2 girls and a castrated male).  One of the ewe lambs has quite large horns for her age and size but they seem very brittle and she cracks and chips them very easily.  Has anybody had this problem before?  I am just wondering if it may be a dietary issue or if they will just strengthen over time.  Thanks

[landroverroy]

I would definitely get them a sheep mineral lick and see if they improve.

[Fleecewife]

A Gremlin just stole my long reply    so here's a shorter one:
All lambs horns are prone to breaking, and the outer cover can even be torn off the core (use cobwebs to stop the bleeding).
Don't handle your horned lambs by their horns - in fact you shouldn't really handle adults by their horns, but sometimes it's inevitable.
The problem with your lamb could be genetic - what's her dam like?   
Is she four horned or two?  Four horns are even more likely to break than two, which is one reason it's so difficult to get a good four horned Heb.
Yes, make sure they have a mineral lick, especially during gestation.

[Fronhaul]

Agree with all Fleecewife has said.  By chipping and cracking do you mean just surface cracks and chips or something deeper?  If the damage is only shalllow then don't despair as the situation may well improve as she matures.  I had a Jacob ewe lamb I retained last year despite a similar problem because I liked her and much to my surprise when I sorted out the show team this spring she was an easy choice.  A mineral drench wouldn't hurt if  you are concerned about a mineral deficiency. 

[Fleecewife]

If it's just surface cracks you can use horse hoof conditioner stuff - sorry, can't remember its proper name.  We use it on the tups horns to clear up any fighting or head bashing damage.  We reapply when the horns start to look dry again, or get algae growing on    and leading up to shows.

[LecturerGem]

I have put mineral blocks in the paddock this morning and they all went straight for them (can't believe I didn't think of that before!!)  She has two horns not four and has chips and cracks around the top of the horns but the whole horn is very delicate.  See photos

[kanisha]

looks more like scurs than full horns for this reason they would be brittle and prone to breaking.

[Foobar]

They look ok to me, in that the current growth at the base looks ok.  I would say it was lack of minerals when it was younger.  Keep it on the lick and it'll be ok.  Defo don't handle the horns, and try to keep it away from anything it can catch them on (yes, i know thats hard to do!).  Some just come out fast, long and thin, some are slow and fatter.

I had a ram lamb recently knocked its horn sheath off.  Blood everywhere!  I'd never heard of using cobwebs for that, but i'll remember it from now on!

[Fleecewife]

Cobwebs cobwebs everywhere, until you need one in a hurry then there's not one to be found 

[Mallows Flock]

If it's just surface cracks you can use horse hoof conditioner stuff - sorry, can't remember its proper name.  We use it on the tups horns to clear up any fighting or head bashing damage.  We reapply when the horns start to look dry again, or get algae growing on    and leading up to shows.

Could it be Keratex Hoof Hardener??? there are lots like Naf Hoof Moist but they tend to soften the horns... in wet weather horsey people use the hoof hardener!

[jaykay]

Cobwebs cobwebs everywhere, until you need one in a hurry then there's not one to be found

  Rarely a problem here  I tell everyone I save them on purpose, it's biological control 

[Hazelwood Flock]

Cornucrescine is good for horns