Jacob Sheep

Building our hobby farm has been fun, work, and a little trial and error.  Figuring out what kind of animals we wanted to raise has been too. But one thing that has been on the short list since before we built the farmhouse was Jacob Sheep.  We've just been intrigued by them!  Wayne especially wants to shepherd a flock. 

Bella
What first drew us to this breed was the story behind them.  Because we read the Bible daily in our home, we were familiar with the story of Jacob's flock in the book of Genesis.  The long and short of it is this:  Jacob was working for his Uncle Laban to earn the girl of his dreams, Rachel.  He was promised wages of only the speckled and spotted lambs to start his own flock but then all the lambs end up being speckled and spotted.  Jacob was blessed for his work even though his Uncle tried to cheat him time and again.

Bunny
Jacob Sheep are a heritage breed but still considered rare. They are gentle horned sheep and typically have 2-5 horns. They are on the small side and are generally thought of as fiber sheep meaning they produce excellent quality wool.  However in recent breed taste tests, Jacobs were rated #2 in meat quality. Because we are focusing our farm for meat production for our own family and friends, we feel the Jacob Sheep will be a good fit for us.

The ones we are starting with are registered and all girls ~ eight of them.  Seven are being bred, four of which typically have twins.  We'll purchase a ram next year once we've gotten established with these.

Smiley
They are coming from Moose Mountain Ranch in Colorado and are being bred right now.  They will be pregnancy checked in late October and we will pick them up in early November.

Ziggy
That means lambs, and lots of them, in February or March. 
And those are just too cute.  We can't wait!

Ziggy as lamb


Comments

  1. They are precious. I am so glad I found you. You have given my husband and I inspiration. We hope to say goodbye to citylife some day and live on his family farm outside Wichita. Blessings to you and yours.
    ~Maeghan
    www.greenacresinthecity.blogspot.com

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  2. they are cute. i hope they do well in OK! :)

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  3. Two to five horns! I'd love to see a photo of that. Can't wait until they arrive and they are certainly lookers.

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  4. I'm so pleased you choose a rare breed to start your flock with.
    Jacob's are a wonderful breed and you will thoroughly enjoy them.
    You have choose beautiful girls and the fact that they are registered leads to more pure stock and hopefully the rare status eventually removed.
    All the best on becoming a shepherdess !

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  5. Hello from California -- I also raise Jacob sheep and your post popped up on my Google Alert. Welcome to the breed! I met Jennifer from Moose Mtn. Ranch just this past August at the Jacob Sheep Breeder's Association AGM (Annual General Meeting) in Oregon. Great lady! Looks like you've got a good start. :)

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  6. The sheep are great. I never would have guessed Jacob's Sheep when the goats had to go. Excellent choice with a lot of character.

    I wanted to let you know that I also left you an award back at my blog. Although I found out after I wrote the post that you have more than 200 followers (should have checked first) you still deserve the award.

    Keep up the great blog!

    Haphazard Countryman
    www.concrete2chickens.blogspot.com

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  7. Oh, they are beautiful!! My husband too, wanted to shepherd sheep. We love ours. I can't wait to see your babies.

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  8. oh ziggy is cute! i wonder how far the drive is to see you from where we are? we could stand to spend some time with some critters!

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  9. I'm just catching up on my blogreading, and have to say.... they are lovely (of course, I wont tell 'our guys' that - being Blackfaces, they wont appreciate hearing such compliments for the Jacobs!)

    Can't wait to see the lambs... they're always such cuties :)
    Anne x

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  10. Congrats on your sheep adventure!!! I can't wait to follow along!

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