Jacob Fleece Flock


Since getting our first Jacob Sheep last fall and then me learning how to hand spin their fleece, we have decided to focus our flock in a new direction.

Unlike most breeds of sheep that have a very strict "standard", Jacobs have traits within the breed that can be emphasized within a flock.  Over the past few months we have set goals to grow a flock primarily for fleece.  Stong horns and leg markings are important to us as well.  We plan to focus on these traits while staying true to the heritage breed itself.  Doing this means making hard decisions about who stays and who goes.

In keeping with our new goals, we selected 3 ewe lambs and 1 yearling ewe that would remain at Rockin' S-Squared Farm.  The rest of the girls and some ram lambs have been moved on.  Some went to a small Christian school that has an agriculture program for kids to experience farming first hand. We were so happy about that! The others went to a guy who saw the breed years ago and has wanted some since.

The ones we have left are the best of the best in our opinion.

Daffodil ~ such a pretty four horn
& the first animal born on our farm

Daylily ~ her twin and adopted by our son, Jared
She has striped horns like her dam.

Zinnia ~ she's a complete pet and begs for scratches behind the ears and on the belly!

& Ziggy ~ the baby of the bunch we bought last year has grown up to be the leader of this little flock.  She has the most amazing fleece and personality to boot!

Daffodil's fleece

Daylily's fleece
As we evaluated our ewes, we looked for fleece qualities that were 
"open" (lays open when parted) 
"locky" (locks the size of a pencil)
 "crimpy" (like it's been crimped with a tiny crimping curling iron)
 "long staple length" (long length of the fleece)
 and "soft".


These fabulous four have all that and more.

We will be adding a few ewes in the near future to bump our flock numbers back up a little but for now they are hogging all the animal crackers and are happy to do it!


Comments

  1. these are beautiful shots of your remaining flock members. love the light in them, too. :)

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  2. ...and a beautiful little flock it is. I'm just learning to use a drop spindle...love it!

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  3. I made major shifts in my flock goals after learning to spin as well. The major difference between your fleece goals and mine are that Shetlands are to have a well-closed fleece - never "open" - as is appropriate for the environment from whence they came. You get a lot more "wool to the acre" that way as well! ;-)

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  4. looks like you kept a good foundation flock, great photos.

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  5. Hello Kim, great sheep you kept, love the coloring on them. Wonderful pictures,thanks for sharing,Blessings Francine.

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  6. Wonderful sheep. We went to a local farm park and they had a bunch of varieties, but we fell in love with the Jacob sheep as that's our son's name. We are not even close to having sheep, but what fun it would be!

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  7. Looks like you have an amazing flock. Love the pictures.

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  8. They really are smashing sheep. They make our Blackfaces look rather bland, but don't *dare* tell anyone around here I said that!!

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  9. I come back over and over just to see your animals they are simply gorgeous and well kept.

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  10. Such beautiful creatures! Love the names you chose for them too:)

    ~Cindy

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  11. I've enjoyed reading about your farm life! Your sheep are gorgeous and I learned alot! :)

    We're fellow homeschoolers! Your kids can learn alot with animals like that around! How fun!

    Have a great weekend! :)

    Blessings,
    Tammy

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  12. Ir is so interesting to follow the evolution of your farm life. I am glad Daffodil made the cut. Nice to have the first baby get to stay

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