http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/ This list is about sheep color genetics, including Northern European Short-tails and others. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:27:52 GMT Jim & Martha McGrath http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5228 http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5228 Hi Marie- Fertility is a heritable trait, but only 5-10% according to the tables I have seen. See Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:12:38 GMT Elizabeth H. Kinne http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5227 http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5227 As a Finn breeder I can tell all of you that from 16 years of experience that the birthtype of a Finn has no bearing on the multiple lamb factor. Once in 730 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:55:39 GMT Nikyle Begay http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5226 http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5226 i had a ewe, who gave nothing but twins, the daughters i kept would twin out ram lambs, when they'd have ewes they were singles. i think genetics play the Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:28:47 GMT jabbourl@... http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5225 http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5225 If I recall correctly, Finns have multiple births from years of selective breeding. If they are crossed to animals that do not have multiple births each Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:06:36 GMT Marie http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5224 http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5224 Thanks everyone! I am very interested in icelandics and on all the web sites, I have seen that the lambing history is shown for ewes that are for sale. Most Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:36:58 GMT Catherine Schweiss http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5223 http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5223 Marie -In addition to the family tendency to twin, you also have to factor in the fact that some breeds of sheep are more prone to multiple births (twins, Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:44:37 GMT Dee Heinrich http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5222 http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5222 Hi, Marie - We actually use the fact that a ewe will twin the first year (bred as a lamb) as an indicator of higher fertility - or being a "twinner" - because Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:22:02 GMT Jennifer Kennedy http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5221 http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5221 It is genetic, but it's not a simple sort of thing, especially since a lot of other things (diet, time of breeding, etc) affect twinning as well. I think Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:12:30 GMT Marie http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5220 http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5220 Is twinning in sheep a genetic trait? If so, how often would a ewe or 'line' have to twin. Thanks Marie in wet cold Kansas Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:34:34 GMT Catherine Schweiss http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5219 http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5219 Jennifer - No, I don't think it's unique to the Scottish Blackface breed.  From time to time we've had Icelandic lambs ( both ewe and ram) with VERY large Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:33:31 GMT kmkestner_3 http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5218 http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5218 My worst was the same conditions except this tiny first time Shetland mom was breech. No room to turn. I had to brace my feet against her but and pull with all Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:01:46 GMT Franna Pitt http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5217 http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5217 Scottie ram lambs always seem to have more difficult births. The ewes usually make it on their own, though I've helped a few. The worst one we've had was a Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:22:29 GMT Jennifer Kennedy http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5216 http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5216 ... Jennifer Kennedy ... [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:41:09 GMT canicanine@... http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5215 http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5215 OMG thank goodness I've never had to deal with real sheep:-o! Get a ouessant you just pick them up:-) Renée Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:25:47 GMT Catherine Schweiss http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5214 http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sheep-color-genetics/message/5214 Another thing about horned rams - if you have trouble moving them, do what we've done - wrap some rope around their horns and then have someone sit in the back