Breeding

Today we are sorting ewes into breeding groups. Yesterday, we spent time with ZooEasy our data management program determining relationship co-efficients. We set up breeding groups that show there is either no relationship or that the relationship is under 13%. We have three goals: 1) to prevent birth defects, 2) to preserve the gene pool of the Capay Reds (a new breed that we are working toward registering), and 3) to enlarge our stock of registered Tunis.

This is a Capay Red. Notice the upswept ears and broad nose as compared to the purebred Tunis above. The Capay's do well in temperature shifts common to the Sacraento Valley area. They have an excellent meat that one chef calls "sweet."