Shave the geep

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/41403.html

Islay farmer finds geep in his flock

ALISTAIR MUNRO June 17 2005

A GEEP - the first recorded surviving cross in the UK of a sheep and a goat - has been born on the Isle of Islay.

Andrew Smith, 61, a farmer, was shocked when one of his Cheviot ewes gave birth to the rarity. The geep bears little similarity to her white mother - with tan legs, a cream belly and a brown and black body.

Mr Smith said: "I was amazed. You get different coloured lambs, but this is totally different. It is a different shape to a normal lamb. I've never seen anything quite like it. I had Cheviot ewes in the field, along with one Cheviot tup and four Texel tups and they are all white and have their own characteristics."

The geep, which has pointed ears like a goat, has been named Whisky. Mr Smith believes one of the island's wild goats sired his Cheviot ewe.

The animals have different chromosomes which usually causes the death of any foetus