Hi Barb, I don't have any real good answers for the parasite problem. All I can say is you are not alone!
I am finding that some sheep are resistant and some are not. It doesn't really follow any pattern. I have had a few cases where a family line was obviously not resistant (lost each and every one of them)! But most cases it appears to be a hit or miss on parasite resistance. One of my oldest ewes is resistant. She has had multiple numbers of boys that were slaughtered for meat. The boys have not been around long enough to accurately assess. She has only had four girls for me. Out of the four girls 2 were resistant and 2 were not. The ewes that were not resistant just could not be saved no matter what I did! One of the ewes that died produced a daughter that appears to be extremely resistant. I also have had several twins where one was resistant and the other not. I am sure there is a genetic pattern involved in resistance or lack of it. All I can say is to try to use the best parasite resistant ram you can get. Realize that a parasite resistant flock is a long term goal. If you are to fast with "survival of the fittest" you may not have a flock left. I am in total awe of flocks of sheep that are "drug free" found in hot wet locations! Arid locations can make many sheep appear resistant. Resistant flocks of St. Croix and Gulf Coast Native sheep found in Louisiana, Florida, and Arkansas are enviable. I am sure that our Blackbelly can survive in these locations without "drugs" if given enough time and selection. One last note on my Barbados Blackbelly sheep. I have noticed my Barbados Blackbelly sheep really like to browse (reach up to feed on leaves). Browsing allows the sheep to feed on parasite free food sources. My other sheep (various wool X hair genetics) like tree leaves as well but do not walk vertical on their hind legs to get to them! I wonder if some of the resistance I observe is behavioral more than genetic? Good Luck, Mark -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Barb Lee Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2006 8:48 PM To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info; Rob Johnson Subject: [blackbelly] A Hard Pill to Swallow I am going to tell this story, because I am hoping it will benefit someone, perhaps get them thinking. The gears in my head are clashing and breaking right now. I am really conflicted. Barb Lee - raising $100 a pound lamb because of all the testing and bloody chemicals. _______________________________________________ This message is from the blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info _______________________________________________ This message is from the blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
