Tail Docking Of Lambs (Research vs Implementation) University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service 2006
Tail Docking Of Lambs (Research vs Implementation)
University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service2006
The Contributors
Lead Author Hudson HillUWCES Mountain West Area Educator
Co-Author Steve Schafer, EdDUWCES State 4-H Office
Collaborators Eric PetersonUWCES Mountain West Area Educator
Dawn SanchezUWCES Uinta County 4-H
Tail Docking Background/Info
Please read the accompanying handout before continuing with the presentation, because it is believed this background and information will enhance the presentation by providing insight and additional details and procedures.
Of course, viewing this presentation without reading the handout is definitely acceptable. It is also believed much can be learned from this presentation without reading the handout.
This presentation does relate to the tail docking rule of the Wyoming State Fair, but the info is applicable to the docking of all lambs.
Tail Docking Questions
For questions or additional details concerning the tail docking of sheep for the Wyoming State Fair, please contact:
Wyoming State Fair
Wyoming State Veterinarian Office
Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service
2006 Tail Docking Rule“Every sheep that shows at the Wyoming State Fair must be accompanied by a certificate signed by a Wyoming Licensed Veterinarian which has a doctor/client relationship with the owner of the animal and which attests to the fact that the animal has a minimum three (3) full coccygeal vertebrae.”
The Challenges
Understanding the anatomy referenced in the rule (coccygeal vertebrae)
Understanding the location to dock
Finding that location
Tail docked one vertebra to far forward, leaving only two vertebrae
Needle in one joint proximal to the Sacro-coccygeal joint
Sacro-coccygeal joint
This lamb shows a tail where the caudal vertebrae are set further to the proximal side of the pin bones, making the tail look shorter but still having three coccygeal vertebrae.
The following pictures are of lambs that were docked several weeks prior. These lambs are thought to have legal tail docks for the Wyoming State Fair. They were docked at the distal end of the caudal fold.
Docking seminar Douglas, WY
The following three slides are of three different fall born lambs that the State Vet. used at the docking seminar on January 18th. The 1st lamb has one caudal vertebrae the 2nd has two and the third has three. Only number three would be a legal lamb at the state fair in 2006.
Three and five coccygeal vertebrae markedNotice the long caudal fold on white face lamb
Marked at 3
Marked at 5
Clive C Gay. Professor, DVM, Director, Field Disease Investigation UnitDepartment Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University
“However, several studies have shown that the ideal length for avoidance of these problems is docking at the third joint space (level with the tip of the vulva).” - emphasis added
Dr. Jan R. Busboom, Ph.D., Professor and Extension Meat Specialist
“The location that Clive (above) recommended (the third joint space, level with the tip of the vulva) would be similar to the other common recommendation that the tail be docked where the caudal tail folds meet.” - emphasis added
Suggested procedure
Train yourself to palpate the sacro-coccygeal joint.
Train yourself to palpate (and count) coccygeal vertebrae.
Mark and dock
For the inexperienced (or untrainable!), resort to visual identification and docking at the end of caudal fold, which yields a high probability of leaving 3 tail vertebrae.