[Jacob-list] Cull Ewes

[gotothewhip at aol.com]

Much better said than I , Linda... You made my point in a way I was not getting to come thru my fingers!

Culling in the Jacob breed, I believe, is a different process than in many standardized breeds!  I think that is one of my favorite things about the Jacobs... the lack of uniformity... We can breed and own the sheep that WE like....

Jennifer Tucker
Moose Mtn. Ranch
Bennett, CO 
www.MooseMtnRanch.com




-----Original Message-----
From: Linda <patchworkfibers at windstream.net>
To: gotothewhip at aol.com
Cc: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
Sent: Thu, Dec 3, 2009 2:47 pm
Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] Cull Ewes


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

[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 

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