Inheritance of birthcoat in a flock of improved Welsh Mountain Sheep.

Abstract

Previous work on the inheritance of birthcoats in sheep is reviewed and the suggestion that the variation normally found is monogenic is criticized. This criticism is supported by an account of birthcoat inheritance in the flock of Welsh Mountain sheep of the University College of North Wales. It is suggested that the relationship between birthcoat type and adult fleece type can be interpreted by reference to the ratio of primary to secondary follicles in the adult skin, which in itself has no relevance to birthcoat type, since the ratio in all breeds of sheep is very similar at birth.