Jacob Sheep have graced the large estates
and country homes of England for many centuries. Their impressive horns,
black and white faces and spotted bodies have no doubt contributed to
their popularity and survival.
Their actual origins are not known. However, documentation throughout
history indicates that the spotted or pied sheep may have originated in
what is now Syria some three thousand years ago. Pictorial evidence traces
movement of these sheep through North Africa, Sicily, Spain and on to
England.
There are many romantic stories about the Jacob Sheep being direct descendants
of the flock of sheep acquired by Jacob during the time he worked for
his father-in-law as mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 30), or that they
were washed ashore from shipwrecks during the attempted invasion of the
Spanish Armada during the reign of Elizabeth I.
Jacobs differ from other
British and Northern European polycerates (sheep with multiple horns).
They differ from other primitive breeds iin that they have a medium
fine fleece and no outer coat. Other primitive breeds are double
coated, having a fine inner coat and a coarser, longer outer coat.
Importation of Jacob Sheep to the U.S. and Canada
has occurred in small numbers since the early 1900's. These have
been dispersed all over the continent and many were crossed to other
breeds. These crosses have been referred to as Jacobs, even though
many bear no resemblance to the breed except that they exhibit spots
and multiple horns. Other breeds of sheep do produce spotted lambs
and/or polycerate offspring. Just because a sheep is spotted or
may be polycerate does not mean it is a Jacob Sheep.
The American Jacobs are an old world sheep which,
unlike many other old world breeds, have not undergone improved
breeding and out crossing to satisfy the commercial marketplace.
They have a more primitive body shape, are slender boned and provide
a flavorful, lean carcass with little external fat. The carcass
yield from hanging weight to freezer is high when compared to the
more improved breeds.
Due to finer bone structure and less body fat, stocking
rates on pasture are higher than the modern breeds with 25% to 50%
increases being reported. Ewes require less supplement feed during
times of increased nutritional need and lamb easily, usually with
no assistance. The lambs are up and nursing vigorously without help.
Jacob ewes are included in commercial flock in England due to their
hardiness, ease of lambing, strong mothering instincts. Both rams
and ewes are easily kept and have a resistance to parasites and
foot problems. The fleece is soft and open and light in grease,
making it highly sought after by handspinners.
The Jacob is highly marketable as breeding stock.
Farm gate sales of freezer lamb, tanned pelts, handspinners' fleeces,
horns for walking sticks and buttons, bring the breeder financial
return as well as the pleasure of seeing this handsome breed on
the farm. |