[Jacob-list] INbred sheep.

[Mary Hansson]

The management style on the MD (and presumably NY) home turf was
shearing, vaccination, and worming all at the same time---which would
have been sometime in May or early June.

Worm load would be less in the spring than later in the year.  It might
be that the move time could account for the greater problems----SEE
ROYAL>>>>>I told you you needed some more sheep this fall!!!  We could
have had a "control" group this fall like we did in the spring :o)).  Of
course, there was only 1 ewe without the proper parts in my group this
fall, so we would have had to fight over her :o)).

Just in case anybody thinks Royal is getting the short end of the stick,
when I was raising angora bunnies, I bred one poor "buck" to numerous
does without a lick of success for 2-3 months.  It wasn't until I was in
the midst of shearing HIM that I realized HE had some missing parts.
Once I put HIM in with a buck, HE delivered babies without a problem a
month later.  Funny how that worked.

Mary Ellen Hansson, ISeeSpots Farm
Jacob Sheep:  Those horny, fuzzy critters
Shop:  Knitting, crochet, spinning supplies
www.iseespots.com (336) 854-6209



-----Original Message-----
From: jacob-list-admin at jacobsheep.com
[mailto:jacob-list-admin at jacobsheep.com] On Behalf Of Dave & Katrina
Sent: Friday, December 27, 2002 7:29 PM
To: jacob-list
Subject: [Jacob-list] INbred sheep.


What is interesting about thia is that this gruop of sheep was extremely
hardy on their home turf. minimal input,etc. Mostly on meager pasture.
Wormed once a year. never vaccinated, right MEH?  

Also the groups that were taken in the spring (a group by me, a group by
MEH and Royal's guys (girls...what were they, Royal?)  seemed to do
fine, although I noticed a bit more worm problems than normal with 3 of
ours. ONly in late fall and now all seem fine & healthy with fleeces
looking better than at their past environment. The ones that came as
newborns had no problems at all...from what I can see.  

I do think this is an inbreeding thing...what do the rest of you think? 
But why did the spring groups adjust better than the larger group that
was moved later to MEH's place.  Royal, did your girl have problems
adjusting? 
Maybe our places were more similar in environment to MD compared to
moving them down to the southern states. MEH, want to move up North?
*Smile*  Am really sorry for your struggles. Sick/dying sheep are no fun
at all.

Anyway, I wondered if any of you who have practiced inbreeding that
worked know anything about it.  I really like the ones here and am kind
of facinated with this.  I have heard in theory that inbred sheep have a
more difficult time adjusting, but have never heard of proof of it.
Keep me posted MEH. Katrina

> [Original Message]
> From: Linda <wolfpen at rabun.net>
> To: jacoblist <jacob-list at jacobsheep.com>; <mhansson1 at triad.rr.com>
 > Date: 12/27/02 6:06:25 PM
> Subject: RE: [Jacob-list] sheep memory
>
> That's interesting.  I'm afraid I would have to consider that a=  
> hardiness problem - just my opinion.  I know the group is highly=  
> inbred.  Would you attribute the situation to that?  I haven't=  heard

> of anything like this before, but it almost sounds like=  one of those

> behaviour traits, like poor mothering, aggressive=  rams, etc, that 
> can be heritable - or not, depending on your=  view.
> 
> They are a pretty group - hope they settle in!
> 
> Linda
> 
> On Thu, 26 Dec 2002 20:43:18 -0500, Mary Hansson wrote:
> >Linda,
> >
> >I have seen an exaggeration of the same phenomenon with the=
>  large
> >Twigg
> >group I brought in this year. =A0Even putting a fence between them=
>  for
> >breeding caused lots of stress and apparent distress. =A0That=
>  group
> >just
> >has not done well with any changes. =A0You move one, and either=
>  they
> >or a
> >buddy of theirs gets sick and dies......all rather tiring.
> >
> 
> >Mary Ellen Hansson, ISeeSpots Farm
> >Jacob Sheep: =A0Those horny, fuzzy critters
> >Shop: =A0Knitting, crochet, spinning supplies www.iseespots.com (336)

> >854-6209
> >
> >
> 
> Visit our Jacob flock at:
> http://www.PatchworkFibers.com
> Registered Jacob Sheep
> Handspun Yarns
>  
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Jacob-list mailing list
> Jacob-list at jacobsheep.com 
> http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/jacob-list


--- Dave & Katrina O. Lefever
--- oberlef at supernet.com
--- Chicory Lane Farm
--- http://wwwfac.mcdaniel.edu/Graduate/TI/pages/lefever/chicory.htm    






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