[Jacob-list] breeding counts

[Mary Hansson]

Hi all,
 
I came home to another surprise yesterday---another lamb, but this time a lilac out of a lineage that seemed devoid of the trait.  The link on the dam side goes back 5 generations (and off the 4-generation pedigree).  I haven't figured out the link on the sire side yet---hence the need for super pedigrees.
 
When you look at your lambs and can't figure out where a trait came from, remember that it may have been hidden in the genetics for quite a number of generations---which is why it is SO important to understand where your animals came from, what they have produced and what their ancestors have produced.  We all have something else in the backgrounds of our sheep----THAT is a given.  
 
One time, a breeder from the AMBC days made the comment that they had used the "good looking" twin of a set where the other one looked almost completely black----and had the "cross-bred" look to it.  This breeder didn't consider the breeding and selection criteria a problem and felt like it was a good one.  That is a judgment call in all instances and entirely dependent on the breeder.
 
In light of this little ram lamb standing here.....I would stick with my pretty pathetic understanding of inheritance and cull the entire line (as I have done in one instance here for just such an occurance).  BTW:  I do NOT cull for "lilac" as it has been a trait in the recognized "Jacob" family tree for quite a number of years.  The Reynold's flock in the USA was all lilac at one point.
 
Mary Ellen




Mary Ellen Hansson, MEd, RD, LDN
ISeeSpots Farm
Jacob Sheep:  Lambs, adults, wool
www.iseespots.com
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