[Jacob-list] rejected twin

[Linda]

Yes, I agree that is the reason. I blame the ewes' problems in this 
instance completely on the shepherd.

On 3/3/2010 10:11 AM, Carl Fosbrink wrote:

> *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 <mailto:patchworkfibers at windstream.net>

>     *To:* gotothewhip at aol.com <mailto:gotothewhip at aol.com>

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

>>

>>

>>     _______________________________________________

>>     Jacob-list mailing list, sponsored by Swallow Lane Farm&  Fiberworks

>>     Jacob-list at jacobsheep.com

>>     http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/jacob-list

>>        

>

>     -- 

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

>

>     ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>     _______________________________________________

>     Jacob-list mailing list, sponsored by Swallow Lane Farm & Fiberworks

>     Jacob-list at jacobsheep.com

>     http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/jacob-list

>

>

> _______________________________________________

> Jacob-list mailing list, sponsored by Swallow Lane Farm&  Fiberworks

> Jacob-list at jacobsheep.com

> http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/jacob-list

>    


-- 
Patchwork Farm Jacob Sheep <http://www.patchworkfibers.com>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://www.pairlist.net/pipermail/jacob-list/attachments/20100303/1ec51083/attachment.htm>