[Jacob-list] Primitive?

[Shannon Phifer]

Here is a good thread from 2002.  Neal - you had some great points in this particular post - http://www.pairlist.net/pipermail/jacob-list/2002-January/002526.html, I love the phrase - 'primitive, but not too primitive' and Juliet has a great list of primitive characteristics here - http://www.pairlist.net/pipermail/jacob-list/2002-January/002519.html

It is important to remember that going to one extreme or the other can be dangerous to a breed.  Everything in moderation!
 
Shannon Phifer
Kenleigh Acres Farm
www.kenleigh-acres.com
That'll Do Photography
www.thatlldo.photoreflect.com
 




________________________________
From: Neal and Louise Grose <nlgrose at yadtel.net>
To: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
Sent: Mon, November 9, 2009 2:23:37 AM
Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] Primitive?


I was thinking about some of these points last night. If we go back to our original rams, Pan and Buster (registered with AMBC before 1988) and Augustus. Pan was linebred from NE zoo stock, slight build and had great coloration on his legs and muzzle. Buster was linebred Hescock, much heavier build with a blaze face. Augustus came from mostly Hatch background, robust horns and white legs. 
 
Pan was certainly the "most primitive", but each of the others had characteristics that reflected primitive traits. During breeding season, Buster's neck swelled so much he could hardly turn his head. Augustus had coarse wool on his neck that made it look like a mane. 
 
We (that is the breed) would not have "good horns" if we had not included the coarser stock because that trait is linked to the more robust bone of the heavier animals. In our own flock, we have gone back to concentrate on the lighter framed sheep because gosh darn it, we like them better: but the horns have suffered somewhat as a result. 
 
And then there is "Ram-I-Am" our first sheep: 90 pounds-wringing-wet inbred from original Tramulatola ram, 5 un-symmetrical horns, 75% black, a fleece so open it only weighed 2 pounds, and had the ultimate "I'm a Jacob Ram and you're NOT" attitude. He was perfect. And he quite rightfully failed inspection.
 
Neal Grose
----- Original Message ----- 

>From: Shannon Phifer 

>To: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com 

>Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 1:26 PM

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

>

>

>For some interesting reading along the same topic, you can visit the archives -http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/jacob-list- December 2000.  There are some very good points discussed.  I believe there are many pieces that go into making a primitive sheep, one of those being looks, but if we throw out the sheep that don't 'look' primitive then we may be throwing out the other traits, such as mothering ability, hardiness, etc.  I also agree that primitive should not mean small.  I have several individuals in our flock that I consider to have primitive body styles, but their frame is as big as some of our more 'improved' looking sheep.  I love the diversity that the Jacob breed offers.

>

>Shannon Phifer

>Kenleigh Acres Farm

>www.kenleigh-acres.com

>That'll Do Photography

>www.thatlldo.photoreflect.com

> 

> 

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