[Jacob-list] Primitive?

[Linda]

Small-ness, in itself, does not scream primitive to me, even though many 
of the more primitive Jacobs are smaller.
One thing (for me, anyway) besides hip and bone, that helps to define 
primitive is the head. A big square clunky head with a broad forehead 
just isn't what I call primitive. A slender, triangular head that is 
decidedly male or female (as the case may be)without being blocky is 
(again, for me)is a trait of a primitive Jacob.
Behavior and adaptation are hard to judge to judge with a glance. I hope 
that we are still raising hardy and adaptable sheep.
It's interesting to check out images on the internet of commercial 
breeds for comparison and images of deer to define "deer-like".

Linda


Neal and Louise Grose wrote:

> I don't think color should figure in on this. Color is more a factor 

> of blood- lines and chance.

>  

> We tend to think of primitive as being defined by smaller animals, but 

> we need to be careful about that. Breeding for small-ness is just as 

> bad as breeding for big-ness.

>  

> Resistance to parasitosis is often cited as primitive, and this is a 

> very good attribute; but, Soay sheep, which are primitive by 

> definition, have little resistance because they were not developed in 

> an area that subjected them to large parasite loads.

>  

> I look at body style and conformation. The hallmark of domestic 

> livestock improvement is the selection for extended loin area and 

> larger hams. This is accomplished by breeding for a round, course bone 

> and a less flexible broad ligament (the ligament that overlays the 

> pelvis). Large hips increase the area that produce the more expensive 

> cuts of meat, but also dramatically increase the incidence of birthing 

> problems since this is the widest area that must pass through the 

> birth canal.. This birth problem is multiplied by the less flexible 

> broad ligament, which prevents the pelvis from separating during the 

> passage of the fetus. Primitive sheep and cows have relatively narrow 

> and sloping rumps, and flatter bone. Even the "improved" lines of 

> Jacobs Sheep that are often criticized have relatively narrow rumps 

> and strong front ends (think of them as linebackers with no 

> necks narrow hips).

>  

> Mostly, we just think that we know it when we see it.

>  

> Neal Grose

>  

>  

>

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

>     *From:* Laura C Frazier <mailto:farmgirlarts at triad.rr.com>

>     *To:* jacob-list at jacobsheep.com <mailto:jacob-list at jacobsheep.com>

>     *Sent:* Tuesday, November 03, 2009 9:41 PM

>     *Subject:* [Jacob-list] Primitive?

>

>     I'd like to have some clarification about the

>     characteristics/traits of the "primitive" Jacob sheep. I've

>     heard/read of some individuals being referred to as "primitive",

>     including my ram, and I'd just like to better understand this.

>     Less black? Finer bones? Smaller in stature? 

>

>     Thanks!

>     Laura

>

>     Laura C Frazier

>     FarmGirl Arts

>     (336) 971-3834

>     Kernersville, NC

>     http://home.rr.com/farmgirlarts

>

>

>

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