Sheep tails?

Question

What happens to lamb's tails? Are they chopped off or do they self-amputate? Or is there some more sinister explanation?

Answer 1

It is true that lambs' tails are removed in some breeds by using rubber rings on them, although in some breeds (e.g. Scottish blackface) they are left with long tails in at least the ewes.

There is a brilliant group of ancient breeds called the Northern short-tailed group who don't have the long tails of improved sheep and these lambs are left untouched. These breeds include the Soay, North Ronaldsay (from Orkney), Hebridean, Manx Loghtan, Shetland and Castlemilk Moorit.

Answer 2

farmers put a rubber ring round the tail about 1 day after lamb is born. it then withers and drops off about 10-14 days later.
This stops the tail getting caked in poo and attracting flies.
It also makes the hind quarter of the animal fatter as it cannot put any energy into growing a tail. This makes a better roasting joint. (sorry if you are a veggie but why do you think farmers keep sheep?).

Answer 3

Just to really make you squirm, in Victorian times there was a seasonal delicacy called.... Lamb's Tail pie, made with the tails that were removed in the spring. Funny how it's gone out of fashion along with Rook pie and other such wonders.

Answer 4

I think they are chopped off as that area is prime for all sorts of nasties.

Answer 5

they are removed to make the sheep easier to care for, eliminates disease and parasites.