Colour change

Kathy Millar · Post by **Kathy Millar** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 4:10 pm

I have a 2 month old calf who is still a dun colour. Her mother ia a red-factored black and her sire just black. I know they can change colour as their calf coat sheds out, but how long does this take? I want to tatoo her ear but don't know what colour to use as the ears are still light coloured.

Kathy ???

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:47 pm

The tinge can take quite a few months to go, as black grows in, usually head and feet first, then the body. If there is doubt I think it is most often the case that the calf is black. Look at the hooves - if they are black and the nose and tongue is black it is almost certainly a black calf. I had my first dun calf born here this spring, and what struck me most was that whilst the coat was still wet after the birth, the skin showed through and was a much lighter colour than the coat, most unlike a black. At 1 month his hooves are mostly light, and the muzzle is grey. The reds I have had born here have always looked a very distinct red from the moment they appeared.

Duncan

marion · Post by **marion** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:59 pm

Kathy, I've always used the Ketchum's green paste tattoo ink for any colour animal...marion

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 8:06 am

I agree with Duncan, if there is any doubt assume it will be black. It isn't until you get proper duns and reds that you realise how very distinctive these are. Just another little game our Dexters play to amuse and confuse their owners.

Kathy Millar · Post by **Kathy Millar** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:30 am

Thanks for the observations. I have only ever seen one dun in my life (and didn't like it!). I have 3 red Dexters at the moment (one was born this am) and they are very distinct. The trouble with this "dun" heifer is her nose is not black nor are her feet or her ear skin. Might her skin darken with age? She really is quite beautiful at this stage anyways. Is it possible for a black red-factored cow and a black bull to produce dun? I could never understand the genetics with that colour! :p

Kathy

Woodmagic · Post by **Woodmagic** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 8:39 am

I am hoping you are going to find you like dun after all. There is ‘dun’ and ‘dun’. I have seen animals described as ‘dun’ that I didn’t like at all, usually pale and washed out, and the result of a gene carried on from some distant outcross in the past. True dun which is a deep vibrant colour, I love, I wouldn’t like to lose it in my own herd. You do say she is beautiful at present. It is uncommon for that combination of parent colours to produce a dun, but possible. Long may you continue to think her beautiful!

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 12:45 am

If her nose and feet aren't black then I would lean towards her being Dun. Let us know how she grows. Aren't genetics fun? :D