[Jacob-list] No Eye Patch

[Linda]

Didn't mean to imply that I'd want to perpetuate a flock look of missing eye patches.   Only that a diverse flock could include sheep with markings from one extreme to the other.  I just haven't seen that one or two animals in the flock with missing patches (rams or ewes) drastically affects the overall look of the flock iand the descendents.  I assume the trait could be set if I tried - take a look at the muzzle and leg markings (or lack of) in the Maine flock.   

Just meant that as long as a flock is managed with diversity in mind - both genetic and visual - the chances of one trait taking over is small.  

Linda
What's New at Patchwork Farm?

On Sat, 9 Jul 2005 05:15:08 -0700 (PDT), Mary Hansson wrote:
> Hi,
>
> This discussion started with my comment that I would not sell (or
> likely even experiment with) a RAM with missing eye patch.  I am
> sure there might be
> extenuating circumstances where I might consider it, but facial
> markings are a strong part of our picture of the Jacob sheep---like
> the black over the shoulder and down the neck like a neck scarf.
>
> I have a ewe in the flock and one I plan to keep in my small flock
> without an eye patch.  Charity has
> produced 4 lambs to my knowledge---only 1 of whom has been missing
> a facial marking (don't know background of the sire of that lamb as
> the lamb was born on another farm).  My yearling ewe missing the
> eye patch came from a ewe without known parents but she has full
> large eye patches.  I have only seen 1 lamb from this ewe so can't
> make any judgments on what I am looking at here.
>
> Ultimately, the breeder must look at what their stock PRODUCE and
> make judgments accordingly.
>
> I have just seen light faces set up in flocks, and I have known a
> wide range of breeders that inevitably ask if a sheep has "such and
> such" a flock name behind it when they see a white eye patch.  I
> probably have my strong breeding preference for white eye patches
> from the desire to never be in that sad position.
>
> Mary Ellen
>
> Mary Ellen Hansson, MEd, RD, LDN
> ISeeSpots Farm
> Jacob Sheep:  Lambs, adults, wool
> www.iseespots.com
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