[Jacob-list] Primitive characteristics

[Linda]

fourhornfarm wrote:

>  

>

>     ----- Original Message -----

>     *From:* Linda <mailto:patchworkfibers at windstream.net>

>     *To:* fourhornfarm <mailto:fourhornfarm at verizon.net>

>     *Cc:* BlackSheep <mailto:westergladstone at btinternet.com> ;

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

>     *Sent:* Wednesday, November 18, 2009 6:28 PM

>     *Subject:* Re: [Jacob-list] Primitive characteristics

>

>     That would sure make the Huntsberger flock primitive, after living

>     for so many years on an uninhabited island off the coast of

>     Maine.That definition would sure make them primitive, but the look

>     of the flock after several years would depend a great deal on

>     what looks the original sheep had that were isolated there so

>     maybe, most likely to survive without man, alone should not make

>     up the definition of primitive. *No one trait seems to define

>     primitive. It would sure be interesting to see what traits we'd

>     get if we just tossed a couple of rams and a dozen ewes together

>     and left them alone for 15 years.*

>



>

>     What sort of behavior is primitive? Like most people, I don't much

>     care for a ram that tears the fence down to get to ewes, but isn't

>     that what you would see in a wild flock? Possibly, but they

>     probably don't have fences for a wild flock.I want a ram that is

>     easy for me to handle - but is that primitive behavior? I doubt

>     it, but that depends on what you mean by handle. If you mean

>     halter and lead, probably not. *Okay - no fences in the wild :-).

>     I personally don't think that a ram lamb that I can halter break

>     should not be considered primitive as opposed to one that is so

>     nutso that I can't handle him. Adaptability might just be a

>     primitive trait as might be t**he ability to learn. **I have had

>     and will probably have again rams that charged me and were a PIA

>     to handle. But, as a 61 year old woman who needs to be able to

>     handle my rams by myself if needed, it is easier for me to start

>     when they weigh less than I do. If they are too stupid to learn,

>     they may be too stupid to survive in the wild :-)*

>



>

>     On the same vein, what is a primitive fleece? Is there a primitive

>     fleece? I think Soays are considered among the most primitive of

>     sheep (Neal - jump in here and correct me). We sure wouldn't

>     accept a Soay fleece in JSBA.IMHO a primitive fleece would be the

>     type of fleece the breed had originally. *In our area, we had

>     sheep from the AMBC auction, which Neal knows about. Sheep from

>     Fairview and Frogmoor in the JG flock in SC. As well as a number

>     of ewes with Puddleduck, Craft's, Spahr Farm, and Hardy Hill

>     backgrounds. The variance in the fleeces was all across the board.

>     I was a spinner before I had Jacobs and I do know fleeces. Which

>     type was the original type?*

>

>     Linda

>

>     fourhornfarm wrote:

>>     MOST LIKELY TO SURVIVE WITHOUT MAN is a very good description of

>>     a primitive sheep.

>>      

>>     My ram, Chicory Lane Chaucer's sire was from a flock that

>>     survived without man's interference and he does not allow

>>     anything around his ewes, other than a human. He always keeps his

>>     distance from humans, but will butt any other animal that gets

>>     around his ewes or lambs and even goes over next to the fence if

>>     anything is close to the other side so he can butt it if it gets

>>     against or through the fence. He is a real protector. Who needs a

>>     guard animal with a ram like him? He is a guard animal. I love

>>     his primitiveness.

>>

>>         ----- Original Message -----

>>         *From:* BlackSheep <mailto:westergladstone at btinternet.com>

>>         *To:* jacob-list at jacobsheep.com

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

>>         *Sent:* Wednesday, November 18, 2009 6:59 AM

>>         *Subject:* [Jacob-list] Primitive characteristics

>>

>>         As far as primitive characteristics go, someone on this side

>>         of the pond summed it up well I thought when she wrote -: I

>>         suppose in

>>         summary, most likely to survive without man!

>>         Juliet in wet Scotland

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

>>         _______________________________________________

>>

>

>     -- 

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

>


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