[Jacob-list] fleece question

[Robin Lynde]

I think that it is hard to predict for sure what the adult fleece will be like. I usually like the lambs with the fleece as you describe on the neck and shoulders--nice tight curls. But many of the lambs have that coarser looking black wool. I had one in particular last year that I thought was extreme in the coarseness of the spots--much more "hairy" looking than the other lambs. As it turns out that one didn't sell and I still have her. At shearing day her fleece was beautiful and sold while she was being shorn.  

The fact that the front end looks different from the back end means that her fleece doesn't have the uniformity that a judge might like, but it may still be a great fleece. Wait awhile to evaluate her.
Robin Lynde
Meridian Jacobs
Vacaville, CA 
www.meridianjacobs.com 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Brenalan Farm 
  To: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com 
  Sent: Sunday, March 02, 2008 4:24 PM
  Subject: [Jacob-list] fleece question


  I got a fleece on a new lamb that I haven't seen before. The white fleece and the black on the neck and shoulders has a tight curl to it, but the black areas on side and rear have straight fleece. The lamb is a newborn- not even dry... but I'd be interested in opinions about whether this can turn into a decent fleece or not, and what to watch for. I have only had a few Jacob lambs before so not gotten much experience with how birth coats mature. Both sire and dam have nice fleeces, but lambie pie looks pretty weird. Her sibling 2007 lamb also has a nice fleece, and I sure don't remember it looking like this. If any of you are about to write to tell me that this won't turn into a show sheep, that is fine- but would you expect this to be a cull? We are a very small farm, so if not good enough to sell I probably shouldn't keep her either. Lambing here is NOT following my schedule... will put pics on the web site once 4 more ewes get with the program. Should be any minute now!

  Brenda



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