[Jacob-list] Cull Ewes

[Linda]

The way I see it, there are culls that do not meet the breed standard 
and culls that do not meet our individual flock preferences. And I do 
mean preferences - there is no universal definition of a perfect Jacob. 
If we ever lose sight of the diversity of our breed, I wonder if they 
will still be the American Jacobs we've been breeding.
Culls that do not meet the breed standard go into the freezer around 
here. And sometimes their parents go with them.
I place a very high emphasis on four strong horns, so ewe lambs that may 
meet the breed standard, but have  lateral scurs, don't hang around 
here. Some of these do go to fleece homes rather than the butcher, 
though. That's a matter of economics for me. The price for a 3 month old 
fleece lamb is quite a bit higher than for a 3 month meat lamb. No sheep 
ever go to auctions. I know where my fleece lambs are. Except for 
RubyBelle, who will die of old age here, old retired ewes go in the 
freezer. Like most breeders, I've put some breeding quality rams in the 
freezer.
But, would I cull/butcher a ewe with a pigment only muzzle that had a 
dynamite fleece, excellent horns, superb mothering skills? No. Or one 
with a rather average fleece, but excellent in all other ways? No. There 
are some breeders that keep and breed animals I wouldn't and some 
breeders that wouldn't keep some of the ones I keep. There are things 
that are highly heritable (There was a list in the JSC Journal a few 
years ago, I think), such as structure. And there are things like 
markings which are not highly heritable. I've seen some unevenly fused 
(but strong) four horned ewes produce some darn nice horn sets. We sure 
see two "perfectly" marked sheep produce offspring missing most of the 
markings often enough. Then, I have Holly, who is loaded with leg flash 
and neither of her parents has any. Glad Gary decided not to cull her 
parents :-)

Linda

 


gotothewhip at aol.com wrote:

> While I agree that we will narrow down the % of culls.. I can see 

> that, at least in my herd... Completely honest here.. I would always 

> anticipate a few culls per year.  We are running 60-70 Jacobs right 

> now.  Even breeding perfect to perfect (as if there is such an animal) 

> but lets rephrase that and say, breeding my very best ram to my very 

> best ewe..... I can anticipate that I could see a cull offspring from 

> that mating..... Slipped eye patch, poor markings, or an unfortunate 

> horn set.. or as I experienced this year.. a PHENOMENAL ewe lamb, out 

> grew everyone, Won at SEVERAL shows with  Excellent structure,awesome 

> markings and a fleece that was to die for... She was a Hermaphrodite! 

> and she is currently in my own freezer!

>  

> But in a breed like our own, I think culls are an ongoing problem, 

> even with deep culling, as our diverse breed has oddball genetics.... 

> and that oddball will be a cull in most situations!

>  

> Paul, I do truly believe that if we cull deep each year, we will have 

> a lower % of culls based on structure.. But honestly,... I don't know 

> if I will always get 100% perfect horn sets and markings in addition 

> to the fiber and structure requirements I have!

>  

> Jennifer Tucker

> Moose Mtn. Ranch

> Bennett, CO

>

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: Paul Sisk <psisk at hughes.net>

> To: gotothewhip at aol.com

> Sent: Thu, Dec 3, 2009 1:10 pm

> Subject: RE: [Jacob-list] Cull Ewes

>

>  

>

>      

>     I am just curious what the norm for our breed is?!?! And if I am

>     out of line!

>      

>     Jennifer Tucker

>     Moose Mtn. Ranch

>     Bennett, CO

>     www.MooseMtnRanch.com <http://www.moosemtnranch.com/>

>     [Paul Sisk] 

>      

>     Jennifer I think you are dead on in your culling practice. I have

>     always believed that if everyone eliminated thier culls there

>     would soon be no culls. Ours are eaten by someone whether it be

>     us or others.

>      

>     Paul 

>

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-- 
Patchwork Farm Jacob Sheep <http://www.patchworkfibers.com>
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