What are the "holes"'??GRAPHIC PICS added

[damummis]

I recruited oldest daughter to help clean ewe's belly. Got her on her side and scrubbed both spots with warm water and Dr, Bronner's peppermint soap. "EEww, mom. Your sheep has some serious pit cheese." Yup, pit cheese. Nasty, stinky, pit cheese. That is all.

And she does have supernumerary teats.

 

[jhm47]

They're natural. The yellow gunk is lanolin, which sheep secrete. I don't know what the holes are, or what they're for, but the sheep we had years ago had them too.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Yep, normal. Oil gland areas or something.

 

[Royd Wood]

wow - live and learn every day - thanks jhm 47 and aggie

oh and the op for posting pics

 

[damummis]

I am glad I didn't frantically call the vet. DD and I had quite the laugh. Almost like trying to pull the beard off the turkey thinking it was a burr. Yup, that's me.

 

[elevan]

I am glad I didn't frantically call the vet. DD and I had quite the laugh. Almost like trying to pull the beard off the turkey thinking it was a burr. Yup, that's me.

Yep, that's how we learn sometimes!

I don't have sheep so I didn't post even though it looked really yucky but since I'm thinking about adding sheep I kept checking the post for answers. Thanks for posting!

 

[pairadice]

Yup, the "holes" are normal. Many ewes have extra non-functioning teats as well.

 

[boothcreek]

those gland secret oils and scents. In ewes these glands help lambs locate the udder by the smell they produce. In Rams they Stink! Esspecially in more primitive breed of sheep I think. I know my ABBs and Mouflon rival a rutty mule deer in breeding season when it comes to stench.........