Author Topic: Herdwick ewe lamb horn growth? (Read 3563 times)

mijbil · « **on:** June 30, 2013, 08:44:20 pm »

One of my herdy ewe lambs has a single horny growth forming on her head- I thought it was a tick at first, and it does move, it isn't solidly fixed. Do herdy ewes grow horns is the question, if not then what could it be, it is only on one side. I've attached a picture, any thoughts appreciated!

zarzar · « **Reply #1 on:** June 30, 2013, 08:52:57 pm »

hi dunno much about breed but we recently brought 2 from auction and the ram lamb has horn buds but ewe lamb doesnt although what the ram lamb is growing at min look quiet filmsy.

lachlanandmarcus · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2013, 11:54:28 pm »

Herdwick cross unicorn ??

Fleecewife · « **Reply #3 on:** June 30, 2013, 11:59:37 pm »

Quote from: lachlanandmarcus on June 30, 2013, 11:54:28 pm

Herdwick cross unicorn ??

It looks like a scur, which is a small bit of horn, just the outer covering with no core. Scurs are wobbly and usually get knocked off. I don't know about Herdwicks either - except they look lovely - but normally polled breeds such as Texels can get little scurs like that. I don't know if it's worth rubbing it off now or just leaving it up to nature - probably just leave it.

Anke · « **Reply #4 on:** July 01, 2013, 06:44:07 am »

I would leave it too, but be prepared that when it does get knocked off there may be quite a bit of blood. As long as it dries off quickly it will be ok and look worse than it actually is. I have a can of plaster tar spray (horsey stuff) ready for that, as the Shetland wether lambs do a bit of knocking each others heads too, and well goat kids....

shep53 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 01, 2013, 12:54:18 pm »

Herdwick rams can be horned or polled, so females sometimes have small scurs especially is some time in past generations swaledale blood entrered the family