[Jacob-list] Fw: Split Eyelids, More questions

[R. Unzicker]

I have had several rams that were champions in the show ring.  Some I bought from other breeders as ram lambs.  None of these came from parents who were shown.  I also raised some that did very well in the show ring.   However, I do not  purchase a sheep because I think they will do well in the show ring.  I buy or keep rams I have raised that give me diversity of blood lines, that I think will complement my ewes, and ones that I personally like because of their horns set, markings, temperament etc.  I have been known to sacrifice one of these traits  if I really liked everything else about a particular ram.  

Who I happen to own at the time of the show usually determines who I show.  I show  to promote and advertise the breed, not to win in the ring. I usually sell any ram lambs I raise if I have a buyer so who is left here is who may get shown.  This means that occasionally I come in near the bottom but I think it is more important to support the various shows so I show what I have.  If I buy a ram lamb, I do not usually sell them.  Although I did sell one I had bought only months before because a teenage  breeder needed a ram and everything I had left was related to his flock.   That ram lamb was named a champion ram,  beating out my own yearling.    Not sure who was happier,  the young man who showed Meridian Emmett or myself at seeing the pride this young man took in his Jacobs!

I have shown a ram with a split eye lid. Not proud of that but that is what I had at the time.  I didn't expect him to be champion but so many judges do not know Jacobs and probably never heard of a split eye lid.   I really do not like splits but I liked everything else about the ramand he passed inspection  so I decided to use him.  None of his offspring had split eye lids.  I think I was just lucky though.  I also showed a two horned ram that I really liked.  I had never kept a two horned ram before.  That is how much I liked him.  He was champion several  times.  Great ram in all respects except one.  When we did a sperm count on him,  he had twelve sperm, all dead.   Interesting side note is that his twin was champion ewe more than once also.   She was bred to lamb as a two year old.  She was the only ewe that did not conceive this year.  So much for bring a champion!  My point to all this is, buy the ram that you think is best for your flock.  Do not buy just because a particular animal won in the show ring.
Royal
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Linda 
  To: Gotothewhip at aol.com ; jacob-list at jacobsheep.com 
  Sent: Monday, April 07, 2008 8:11 PM
  Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] Split Eyelids, More questions


  Lots of Jacob breeders show. That's not a 'gasp'. It's breeding ONLY for show that bothers me.  I have a great deal of respect for many of the breeders that consistently win. None of them breed "for the show ring".

  If we culled every Jacob with a notch, as I heard they did in the UK at one time, we'd have a breed with only two horned sheep. You cannot get rid of SUED without getting rid of plicate animals. 

  What's the market for a Grand Champion ram? Just curious as I haven't seen many going on to be flock sires in serious flocks.  

  Does anyone want to comment? It's an interesting topic - does performance in the show ring factor into your decision when buying sheep?

  Linda
  who is working to get a Jacob class at SAFF this year - but won't feel bad if I lose and won't feel proud if I win

   
  www.patchworkfibers.com
  Registered Jacob Sheep, Angora Rabbits, Handspun Yarn


  > OK.. I have 2 of them... Both sired by the ram I culled last
  > year... Thankfully they are the only ones by that ram.  There are
  > no sheep in the flock with split eyelids other than these 2 lambs. 
  > He did not have SUED. 
  >
  > How common are SUED's?  Im guessing that they are a reason to not
  > SHOW a particular animal... But what about a ewe lamb?  Is it a
  > reason to cull her as well? 
  >
  > There was talk on previous posts  about research done in years
  > past, but I must have missed the ink to the information.  As you
  > all know, Im new to the Jacobs, and enjoy having them , but also
  > enjoy the (GASP) Showring!  SO , the genetics that play into this
  > are VERY important to me.. Especially if this is a issue in the
  > showring and with breeding animals.
  >
  > My big goal is to produce rams that have one well in the ring, and
  > are sold to breeders as producers who have a bit of a record.... I
  > know, I'm a bit over involved.
  >
  >
  > Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides.


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