[Jacob-list] rejected twin

[Carl Fosbrink]

Linda and all,

    The probable reason these ewes in the horse stalls had problems is that sheep are a flocking animal and it put a lot of stress on them not being able to see the other sheep. If lambing pens are used they should be situated in the same area the sheep have already been in and be made of something where the ewe can still see her flock mates and sniff them through the panels. This will make the ewe much happier and calmer and also keep the flock from disowning her when she is turned back out with the flock. 
      Just my experience with Jacobs.
      We now have 38 Jacob ewes that have lambs and only 12 more ewes left to lamb.

Carl
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Linda 
  To: gotothewhip at aol.com 
  Cc: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2010 9:04 AM
  Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] rejected twin


  I agree with you. One rejected lamb is not a reason to cull an entire line. There are reasons other than genetics. I sold two bred two year ewes once. Both had lambed as yearlings and as two year olds and were excellent mothers. They had lambed outdoors with no assistance. The new owner locked them in individual horse stalls. They could not see out and they were isolated. One lambed a week early, the other was so crazy trying to get out the stall, she rejected her lamb. I'm not saying that you can't lamb in horse stalls :-) just that for these particular ewes, it was a stressful, strange, and completely man made situation. Great granddaughters of these ewes in other places are continuing to successfully raise lambs unassisted. 

  I would, of course, hesitate to use a line with a history of bad mothers once I had ruled out environmental reasons for the bad mothering. But, like you, I'm not going to watch a lamb starve to death, even if I decide the lamb will never go into a breeding population. 

  Linda.

  On 3/3/2010 8:20 AM, gotothewhip at aol.com wrote: 



    While I fully understand that many of you would cull this ewe and her off spring.. let me add this.. This ewes mother, and her twin Both successfully raised triplets,  a full sister of this ewe also took on a grafted lamb when I lost a ewe.  So I don't think that genetics are in play here.  

    While I love this breed, I wont just let a newborn starve because they are primitive.  While the breed itself is primitive, these sheep we are raising are domesticated.  I also own elk... I would not abandon an elk calf that is motherless to succumb to the elements and starvation, and I would hardly consider them more domesticated than my Jacobs .  When we domesticate an animal, I strongly feel we have an obligation to provide care.  And while I understand your theory of natural culling, and I respect your choice to do so, I don't frown upon someone who raises a bottle lamb or the like.

    The primitiveness and mothering abilities are a few of the things that brought me to this breed, I have had overly managed sheep in the past, and also had a breed, that while not primitive, had strong mothering instincts and abilities (Cheviot) 

    Please remember that we come to this list for advice and help, and all advice is welcome.... Please don't take a judgmental approach. I'm pretty thick skinned about all of this.  I was raised in commercial agriculture, and have the education that follows that premise (I am an Extension Agent with Colorado State), but I am also wise enough to recognize that Jacobs are my hobby, not my income, and in that hobby, part of that aspect is enjoying it.  Watching a lamb starve to death on principle is not my idea of a good time.

    Maybe O am oversensitive this early morning.. I have been fretting about this lamb, as well as my new LGD, a 2 yo Komondor, that is not adapting well to his new home, and not eating.. so if I am being a bit sensitive, I do apologize

    Jennifer Tucker
    Moose Mtn Ranch

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