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!