[ScotsGirl]

following on from a previous post where I sold a BWM ram who allegedly had a few white hairs in his neck, I just happened to look at my stock ram who is the same age... He has White (grey?) hairs round his eyes and muzzle. Surely these must be part of the ageing process?


My question is, at what age do those registering Rams check with a fine tooth comb whether they have unacceptable White and if they are registered young with no white and then develop it does that make them uneligible for Registration?


Both Rams are 18 months old and had no certainly up to shearing.

[Foobar]

I would ask the breed secretary for the definitive answer ... and I'd be interested to hear what she says.


Copper (or lack of) has an affect on the pigmentation - I know I have a copper deficiency and some of mine go a bit light around the eyes etc.  I've also has some born with white on their head which disappears as they grow up.

[ScotsGirl]

Seems it is a tricky question and has been passed from secretary to someone else! He happens to be busy this week so will have to wait a bit longer. Will keep you posted

[roddycm]

BWM should be black with no white hairs at all anywhere. Some don't get any ever, not even in old age while others grey quite a bit. If you want to breed to a high standard you should not breed from a Ram who has white on his face. Grey in the britches after the age of two say is ok but not ideal but def no white on face, ever!

I used to breed and show them before moving abroad. They are my fav breed, wish I could get them here!

[ScotsGirl]

If that is the case then you cannot use a ram under 2 years old as I have now owned 2 (one bought one bred) under this age and both have developed white.


Such a steep learning curve. Looks like I need to find myself another for next year  . Shame as my current ram is so easy to manage.

[Foobar]

I know we all try to avoid the vets bills but if you can, see if you can get a blood test done for copper deficiency, or a forage analysis.  I have heard of a BWM breeders who managed to resolve their white hairs problem with copper supplementation.

[Me]

I assumed thats what all the boot polish was about at the shows?

[kanisha]

I'd be curious to know why the black welsh mountain as a breed is historically black?  was there a use for its wool? I couldn't find anything on the breed society site. Otherwise what is the reason to have no white hairs....

[darkbrowneggs]

I think I remember reading somewhere that the monks used the wool for their habits (clothing type )  BlackFriars and all that.

[kanisha]

thanks Dark Brown eggs an interesting use.   

[roddycm]

there are lots of good breeders about! the best thing to do is look at the whole flock, some lines stay black longer but most will get some grey on their bums eventually. from memory mr workman produces consistently great rams and we williams produce the best females! The ram is half your flock so super important!