[Jacob-list] old time stock

[Mary McCracken]

Great.  I'm in the same situation and every year I look at the wethers and wonder if I did the 'right' thing.  The first year I just felt since I didn't know ANYTHING I should, and did, band every ram lamb.  Then I had to butcher my ram after the next season so 'selected' one to keep.  He is handsome, but he is the 'survivor' due to my selection.  mm
    -----Original Message-----
    From: linda <wolfpen at rabun.net>
    To: wheaten at bellatlantic.net <wheaten at bellatlantic.net>
    Cc: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com <jacob-list at jacobsheep.com>
    Date: Tuesday, December 12, 2000 4:59 AM
    Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] old time stock
    
    
    Dr Lincicome and all,
    
    I need to start this post by saying it is not an argument or disagreement in any way.  I'm just interested in your answer.  Email loses so much of the nuances of conversation that the subtleties can often be misread.  SO - please take this as just someone looking for more input on the subject.
    
    The Jacob Sheep is a very diverse breed and the fact that we all have our favorites "looks" and traits and the associations allow us to do so can only help to maintain the diversity.  If we all liked the same thing, then we would lose the diversity.  I breed for what I like, I don't breed for any market, and I don't much care if I sell any as I keep my flock within manageable limits and have a large freezer.
    
    Ok, here's my question.  This is not a hypothetical situation - this happened.  I ended up with 9 rams and 7 ewes.  The gender gods did not smile upon me that year.  Even if I felt that all these rams were worth breeding and that the conservation of the breed would be served by breeding them, someone was going to get left out and it would really be a ridiculous situation to even consider.  Now, if I don't consider "horn set, colors, spots, etc, etc. ad nauseum." when deciding which ones to keep, what do I consider???  How do I make my decision - just pick a couple randomly?  Maybe soundness - except all my sheep are sound - I did that selection a long time ago.  I have limited space, limited financial resources and need to stay within a certain flock size.  So in MY FLOCK, I have to exercise some sort of selection.  I am not advocating that the associations as a whole or any other breeder need select to my criteria or as strongly as I have to in my small flock.  So, if I don't select for specific traits, what do I do - just keep everything?  Run them all together - isn't that selecting for the most aggressive ram?
    
    Again - I'm not arguing, don't anyone take offense!  I'm just asking for input - this is an interesting subject.
    
    Linda
    
    
    On Mon, 11 Dec 2000 13:59:40 -0500, Dr. David R. Lincicome wrote:
    >1355 hrs/Monday 11 December 2000
    >
    >Amen!  Good to have someone else stand on the soap box.  I've been shouting this
    >for years now, and still we have those out there who worry about the esthetics of
    >horn set, colors, spots, etc, etc. ad nauseum.  When "Man Meddles with Nature"
    >man is the loser.
    >
    >David Richard Lincicome, Ph.D.,PAS, DACAP
    >Guest Scientist, U. S. Department of Agriculture
    >
    >
    >
    >SJohn21855 at aol.com wrote:
    >
    
    www.PatchworkFibers.com
    Registered Jacob Sheep

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