While
originally all rams had horns, sheep can have horns
or not, depending upon their breed, sex, and genetics. Some
sheep breeds have horns on both rams and ewes. Some have horns
on only the rams. Rams have larger and more striking horns than
ewes. When neither sex has horns, the breed is said to be "polled"
or naturally hornless. Some sheep breeds have both horned and
polled strains. Partial or underdeveloped horns are called "scurs."
While horns are oftentimes removed from cows or goats for safety
and management purposes, horns are seldom removed from sheep
unless they pose a danger to the animal.
A sheep's horns are hollow, consisting of a keratinous sheath
overlying a bony core that is attached to the skull. Horns
will grow throughout the sheep's lifetime, with the most rapid
growth occuring during the first two to three years. Sheep
horns tend to curl and spiral, whereas goat horns grow straight
out or up. Some rams have such beautiful horns that they are
raised as "trophy" animals. Horns can be made into
knife handles, spoons, hair combs, powder horns, and horse
bits.
Horns
are useful to wild sheep, but don't serve much of a useful
purpose on sheep in commerical production situations. Horns
can make handling sheep, especially rams, more difficult,
dangerous, and more time consuming. Horned animals can get
their heads stuck in fences, feeders, and equipment. As a
result, selection has been for polled animals over the years.
Scottish
Blackface Ram
Rambouillet x Merino ram
. . New
Words . .
Horns
- a hard, pointed, often curved part that grows
from the top of the head of some animals. Consists of an
inner, boney core covered by an outer sheath that is much
like our fingernails. Horns are not shed annually as are
antlers.
Polled
- without horns, naturally hornless.
Scurs - any horny growth which is not attached
to the skull.
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