By Margaret Howard
$115.00, plus $8.00 shipping.
Book Details
Spiral Bound: 235 pages
Photos: 108 full page color photos
Author: Margaret Howard
Editor: Dee Heinrich
Book Dimensions: 8 1/2 X 11 inches
Language: English
ISBN: 976-4675-0315-0
Key Features:
7 breeds represented
Color genetics explained in breeder-friendly language
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Back Cover Text
The Coat of Many Colors: A Survey of Sheep Color Pattern Expression is meant to aid the sheep producer in the appreciation and identification of the color patterns available for use in his or her flocks. By gaining such an understanding, a producer can greatly expand the fleece shades available to clients, and incorporate the related health benefits into their flocks. Conversely, a producer can judiciously dip into an identified color pattern group and emphasize the specific shade desired by their clientele. This specific knowledge can go a long way towards increasing net profit from fiber while providing the satisfaction that comes with knowing one’s flock.
Towards these ends, The Coat of Many Colors contains:
- Explanations about color genetics in language that can be grasped by the typical breeder
- An up-to-date survey of what is known about fleece coloring and its replication via breeding
- Over one-hundred pages of color photographs that show various color pattern combinations
- Representation of seven breeds: Cooperworth, CVM/Romeldale, Icelandic, Lincoln, Navajo-Churro, Romney, and Shetland
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Customer Reviews
(reprinted with customers’ permission)
Yes, it’s here !
I just received my copy of The Coat of Many Colors: A Survey of Sheep Color Pattern Expression (2012) by Margaret Howard.
And all I can say is that it was well worth the wait !
This beautiful 230 page volume will undoubtedly find a well deserved place of honor in the library of every sheep breeder who wants to understand color genetics in their flock.
Howard starts with a very detailed yet easy to read discussion of basic genetic concepts, including the use of the Punnett square. She then explains the bio-chemistry of pigment production in colored sheep and how this is controlled by the individual’s genetic makeup.
But more than anything else, Howard’s book is a survey of sheep color pattern expression, which is controlled by the pair of genes found at the Agouti locus. With over 100 pages of color photographs of lambs that display specific patterns or combinations of patterns, this book is a sheer joy to read and a rich source of information for those who are interested in color genetics in sheep.
— Diane Falck, Normandy, France
Maggie,
Thank you so much for your thorough, layperson oriented verbiage and format of your book. Having raised Welsh ponies for 20 years, I have a fair understanding of genetic principles. However, with the way you have written this book, I am using it as a primer for a much more comprehensive genetics education. I can’t bring myself to skip any part so far. That is not so much that I am a geek as it a credit to your labor of love. Okay, fine, maybe it means I am a geek, but currently I am a sponge for sheep information. Thank you for all your diligent hard work.
— Yates Colby