Hermaphroditidic ewe?

[Chickpalooza]

We got a group of sheep today and received a ewe with giant horns on par with a ram at a little less than a year(painted dessert) at first we thought she was a he who had been castrated, nope . No scrotum, no penis, pee’s squatting, the only characteristic she shares with a ram is the horns. We named her chimera since there’s a good chance that’s what she is. We are going to see about getting blood work on her to see what in the world she is. Any ideas? I’ll include pictures once I get them taken.

 

[Chickpalooza]

Painted desert ewes have scurs but never ones this big. Chimera has horns and a mane both of which are ram traits but no scrotum or penis. Im trying to figure out why this is but I don’t think the breed is the answer. We plan to put her with a ram so if she breeds at all, her lamb will inherit the horns of its genetic like your suggesting.

Some breeds have horns for both sexes

 

[Chickpalooza]

Just to check the obvious: could she be older than you were told?
Because large horns and bigger size could just come with increased age.

(I am not a sheep expert, but I have read that you can tell the age by looking at which permanent teeth they have.)

She could be, yes, but the horns are too big. The ewe in the front of the picture above has fairly long scurs and they don’t even compare to chimera’s. In the picture below is some of our yearling rams and they have horns more comparable to chimera’s.

 

[Chickpalooza]

Going to try and run her through the Shute today to get a better look at everything. If she does have testicles they’re very small, the size of a lambs’ maybe.

 

[nuthatched]

Sometimes female deer carry impressive antlers, it's usually a hormone issue.

 

[Chickpalooza]

Sometimes female deer carry impressive antlers, it's usually a hormone issue.

I heard a story from a friend about a similar ewe who they successfully bred. Her horns are impressive but if she were a ram would be unimpressive since we estimate that she’s probably a yearling. Could she be bred?

 

[Chickpalooza]

I also managed to get a picture

edit: more pictures

 

[nuthatched]

I heard a story from a friend about a similar ewe who they successfully bred. Her horns are impressive but if she were a ram would be unimpressive since we estimate that she’s probably a yearling. Could she be bred?

I don't see why not, however, I'm not an expert on sheep.

 

[Chickpalooza]

I don't see why not, however, I'm not an expert on sheep.

Well if the horns are caused by hermaphroditism or a hormone imbalance then it’s pretty iffy

 

[cassie]

I am no expert on sheep, but hermaphrodites are not uncommon in goats. I think the characteristics would be similar in both goats and sheep. A goat that is a hermaphrodite has an oversized vulva with an enlarged clitoris. The clitoris is readily visible when you part the lips of the vulva. They also act like a buck. Only far worse. I suspect your ewe is fine. If she comes into heat you will know for sure. A hermaphrodite won't cycle.