Is sheep tail docking necessary

It is natural for a sheep to have a tail. The tail does not interfere with breeding or lambing. The tail protects the ewe's vulva and udder from weather extremes.

Lamb tail docking length

Lamb tail docking length

Disadvantages of tail docking in sheep

Undocked sheep tail

Sheep tail docking equipment

What is tail docking

To some extent, sheep use their tail to scatter their feces. Tail length is the most heritable trait in sheep. A sheep's tail is halfway between the length of its two parents. Scientists are trying to breed wooled sheep with short tails that do not require docking.

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Banding

The easiest and most common method of tail docking is to apply a rubber ring (or band) to the tail using an elastrator or ring extender.

Banding is a bloodless method of tail docking. The band cuts off the blood supply to the tail, causing the tail to atrophy and fall off in several weeks.

Docking lambs tails with rubber bands

Some producers cut the tail off before it falls off.

Banding causes some pain to the lamb, but the pain is generally short-lived. Pain varies by lamb and may have to do with placement of the band, on or between vertabrae. Pain can be reduced if a clamp (Burdizzo) is applied across the tail immediately distal to the ring.

The use of a local anesthetic, such

why do lambs need their tails docked

lambs may have their tails docked