Ag. the agouti gene at the "A" locus.

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The Agouti (ah-gout-ee) gene causes the base color to fade. A black factored sheep will turn grey, and a brown factored sheep will turn musket (oatmeal colored). The agouti pattern is commonly referred to as the "fading gene". The light colored eye rings and sugar lips can fluctuate as the seasons change.

This sheep is musket, which is brown factored Ag. Her base color is brown, but her color had faded.

This sheep is grey, which is black factored Ag. If examined closely, her fleece is a mixture or black and white fibers.

A mature musket ewe with light colored eye rings, sugar lips, and light colored fleece. She appeared brown when she was born, and gradually faded to musket.

Sugar lips.

This lamb is exhibiting what is commonly referred to as "sugar lips". The area around her mouth and nose are going grey, rather than remaining black. She is also starting to show some fading around her eyes.  This is a sign that the lamb carries at least one copy of Ag, and will turn grey as she matures. It may take a few days or a few months for the grey to start coming into her fleece. Lighter color can also be seen inside the ears, underarms, and scrotum.    I should note that this lamb is heterozygous for Ag. Her dam is Ag, her sire Aa. She has a 50% chance of passing on Ag if she is bred to an Aa/Aa ram.