[Jacob-list] Primitive characteristics

[Neal and Louise Grose]

Strictly speaking, a primitive fleece would be one that sheds...which we don't want. Double fleece would also be primitive and is not desirable. 

There is also no particular reason that non-primitive characteristics would not be conserved if they did not interfere with survival. It would take many generations for a domestic breed to actually return to "wild" characteristics. 

Sooo...what we want is somewhat primitive? 

I go back to thinking that the primitive we want is those characteristics that preserve the functionality of the sheep and do not represent selection for extremes of type. And if you can through in a shot of intelligence and personality, so much the better.

Neal 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: fourhornfarm 
  To: Linda 
  Cc: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 6:52 PM
  Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] Primitive characteristics



    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Linda 
    To: fourhornfarm 
    Cc: BlackSheep ; jacob-list at jacobsheep.com 
    Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 6:28 PM
    Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] Primitive characteristics


    That would sure make the Huntsberger flock primitive, after living for so many years on an uninhabited island off the coast of Maine.That definition would sure make them primitive, but the look of the flock after several years would depend a great deal on what looks the original sheep had that were isolated there so maybe, most likely to survive without man, alone should not make up the definition of primitive. 

    What sort of behavior is primitive? Like most people, I don't much care for a ram that tears the fence down to get to ewes, but isn't that what you would see in a wild flock? Possibly, but they probably don't have fences for a wild flock.I want a ram that is easy for me to handle - but is that primitive behavior? I doubt it, but that depends on what you mean by handle. If you mean halter and lead, probably not.

    On the same vein, what is a primitive fleece? Is there a primitive fleece? I think Soays are considered among the most primitive of sheep (Neal - jump in here and correct me). We sure wouldn't accept a Soay fleece in JSBA.IMHO a primitive fleece would be the type of fleece the breed had originally. 

    Linda

    fourhornfarm wrote: 
      MOST LIKELY TO SURVIVE WITHOUT MAN is a very good description of a primitive sheep. 

      My ram, Chicory Lane Chaucer's sire was from a flock that survived without man's interference and he does not allow anything around his ewes, other than a human. He always keeps his distance from humans, but will butt any other animal that gets around his ewes or lambs and even goes over next to the fence if anything is close to the other side so he can butt it if it gets against or through the fence. He is a real protector. Who needs a guard animal with a ram like him? He is a guard animal. I love his primitiveness.
        ----- Original Message ----- 
        From: BlackSheep 
        To: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com 
        Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 6:59 AM
        Subject: [Jacob-list] Primitive characteristics


        As far as primitive characteristics go, someone on this side of the pond summed it up well I thought when she wrote -: I suppose in 
        summary, most likely to survive without man!
        Juliet in wet Scotland


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