Calcookara Stud :: Bare Breech

Breeding for Mules free Sheep

Over and above our original breeding program Calcookara is also breeding from a bare breech mutation that has been found within our flock.

With the elimination of mulesing by 2010 this mutation may be very beneficial to the industry. The mutation will dramatically reduce stain in the crutch area and score 1 animals do not need crutching.

At present Calcookara is working closely with AWI and MLA to establish the gene
marker and the heritability of this trait. The bare breech mutation is showing in over one third of our flock ewes as well as both our horned and poll rams.

There is no evidence whatsoever of loosing fleece weight or body weight from these sheep.

As a 2.5 year old Cojak produced a 160mm fleece weighing 14kg over a 12 month period after paddock mating 70 ewes and did not need crutching. Cojak was 5 years old and had never been crutched.

Animals with this mutation do not lose their belly wool.

The bare crutch mutation is very beneficial for lactating ewes as no wool grows on the teat and udder area allowing new born lambs to latch on immediately instead of sucking on wool like new born lambs often do. Flystrike on the udder is also eliminated as there is no wool on the area.

"Breeding for Mules Free sheep with quality wool"