[Jacob-list] What is this sheep, anyway?

[Linda]

I think it is impossible for the shepherd to not practice some sort of selection.  Every time we decide to use a 
particular ram, that's selection.  Every time we decide to NOT use a ram, that is selection.  We cannot raise animals 
without some of our ideas showing up.  Even if your goal is to breed for diversity, then keeping the ewe that is so 
different from your others is selection.  The only way to not exercise selection is too just turn a bunch out and never 
get rid of any.  I know that Edd ran all his rams with his ewes, but I also know that he culled, kept good rams and did 
not use inferior stock.  So that's also selection. 

Heather's post was good - even selecting for traits, her flock still maintains diversity. Even with my homogeneous 
look, I have one ewe that is squarer, one that has a skinnier face, one with much more toothpick looking legs, a wide 
variance in color, etc.  They are diverse among themselves even if they do not represent the wide variance that is 
found in the breed.  Color them all white, remove the horns, and they still will be identifiable as individuals.

I know that showing could be harmful to the breed but from the showmen shepherds (Jacobs, I mean) I've talked to, I 
think there is quite abit in integrity among the showmen to not let that happen.  But, as was said, Jacob Sheep in the 
show ring also serve as living advertisements for the breed.  And everytime some one sees a Jacob in the ring and 
decides to raise them, the breed is served by the addition of one more breeder to help with preservation.

I do like the idea of a parade!  I don't have any with nasty tempers, but I have a few that dig in their feet and plow 
when I move them.  Maybe I could put them on a platform with wheels and just roll them in the parade - like a float, I 
guess.  Mary Ellen, Sophia is so friendly, but the only way to move her is to pull and push at the same time. And even 
then, she refuses to lift a foot.  Although, she will follow a feed bucket anywhere.

Speaking of moving sheep.  Two weeks ago I was separating the sheep to get the breeding groups in order.  I went to the 
ram paddock and the two young rams politely walked into the barn to be moved out.  The three ewes that I wanted walked 
together into their catch pen, leaving the other five outside.  I must be selecting for politeness!

Linda

On Thu, 21 Sep 2000 15:07:16 EDT,  wrote:
>Maybe there could just be parades instead of judging.  Parades
>attract lots
>of attention and create interest.  But , I guess we would have to
>cull for
>nasty tempers since parades require fairly "lead-able" creatures.
>OK, I am
>being facetious.  In my opinion, once animals are in the showring,
>the goal
>becomes winning the award, and not the preservation of diversity,
>unfortunately.  It bothers me to hear that these animals could be
>victims of
>the whims of fashion like many of the dog breeds out there.
>
>Of course, this is just my opinion.
>
>cindy j
>
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