While I was out taking pictures of the sheep this morning, it hit me just how fast the lambs grow and how much they can change in a very short period of time. I was also reminded to hold off judgement and not be hasty when deciding if the lambs will ‘make the cut’ or not. There is a LOT involved in this breed… some of the qualities such as percentage of color, spotting pattern, and structure are somewhat obvious at birth, but fleece and horns are very hard to evaluate at a young age. Fleece qualities can be seen at birth, but they can change – a consistent fleece can end up being quilted and a fuzzy fleece can surprise you sometimes. Horns are definitely the hardest to get right – they can change in the blink of an eye, especially when there are 4 of them. To make matters even more confusing, there are all of the traits you can’t see…mothering ability, hardiness, temperament, and the essence that makes a jacob a jacob. Being hasty and making rash decisions can be detrimental to a breeding program.
Two of our rams weren’t necessarily my favorite when they were born…
Wrangler as a lamb
Reno as a lamb
There were qualities that I just didn’t like when they were born, but I held off judgement and watched them mature. I can remember noticing them at about a month old and going ‘wow, look at you!’. In both cases they continued to get better and better. I will always be thankful to Joan that Wrangler stayed here instead of going to California 😉
Here is Wrangler as an adult…
and Reno as an adult.
They both taught me a good lesson…so for now I am thoroughly enjoying the lambs 🙂
Queenie with her little Duchess.
She doesn’t need anybody telling her that she is cute – she is full of herself!
Holly is still smiling and is very happy with her babies.
Emeline makes it very hard not to like her 🙂
Stories from the Farm 
Your new lambs are adorable! How many are you expecting this year?
Emeline is adorable, Shannon! And, you did GREAT hanging on to those two rams!
Wise observations for a shepherd of ANY breed. Do you ever find that a lamb that knocks you out with its quality from the git-go matures into so-so?
Terri – I was expecting more than I think we are going to end up having. My fault for not leaving the rams in long enough with some of the girls. I used Lutalyse on the later girls because I had a ram lamb breeding girls that I didn’t think could. They cycled and were bred by the rams I wanted, but it doesn’t look like some of them took. So, I think we have around 20 girls bred.
Thanks Shari! I have really liked their lambs.
Michelle – Yes, I have seen that…but not as often as so-so ones turning out nicer than I had imagined. It always makes me sad when I hear new shepherds being critical of their just born lambs.
Shannon, I learned not to judge too quickly just last year. I had truly the ugliest twin rams I have seen! I mean they were UGLY in every way. I sold the dam with the twins at her side. (This ewe was the loudest most annoying girl you could imagine and I was happy to see her go to a great home.). Upon visiting several months later, my jaw dropped when I laid eyes in those two rams! They were absolutely gorgeous! Fleece, horns, style and stature were all there! I could NOT believe it! So, I agree 120% with your post! Amazing transformations can be made given a bit of time.
great googley moogley would you LOOK at those rams!!!! i think i’d run away from one of those.. yikes! our goat breeder has a buck that is as big and as stanky as an orangutan.. he tried to kill us one time when we arrived at the barn before the owner. yikes!
and look! you dont have any snow…….sigh…..
It seems that if the lamb fleece changes, it changes for the better and if the horns change, they change for the worse. The great lamb fleeces stay great, but often you see a lamb fleece that doesn’t really excite you – until shearing – when you wonder how you overlooked that one. 🙂 Horns can sure go from great to cull in about five minutes!
My philosophy, although I have trouble sticking to it, is to avoid any judgment for at least four weeks and just enjoy the “cute”.
Now you’re pouring salt in my wound (about Wrangler)! 😉 I love him, but am very glad you got him as I was only breeding for meat then so wouldn’t have appreciated him like I do now. 😀 Adorable babies, and excellent post! I love the Duchess pics (Queenie looks great!)… But then I’m the proud Great-Grandma. LOL
OFG – Our boys have great temperaments! That is a requirement to live here with horns like that 😉 and luckily they don’t stink like goats! Nope, no snow!
patchworkfibers – That first statement of yours is SO right! I have a difficult time too, but I really try!
MudRanch – I really wasn’t trying to pour salt in your wound 🙂 I know you love him! Does it help that you have my favorite grand-daughter of his? Thanks! I am really happy with how Queenie has matured! Thanks for letting her come live up in Oregon 🙂
Well, let’s just say I’m glad I could “claim” her in utero. 😉 Paisley is one of my most prized sheep… That’s for sure. Thank you for letting claim dibs. 😀
I love the lambs–they are just beautiful. Boy did those two turn out gorgeous. They are stunning rams. The horns are amazing. I just love the little babies though-they are the most precious baby animal I think 🙂
I agree Amy…they are the most adorable, precious babies 🙂
Shannon, as a newer breeder of Jacobs, I really appreciate this post. I will keep this in mind as my girls begin to lamb.
Cute and personality top the list for me right now. I’m just learning about fleece quality, horns and confirmation. Blogs from Jacob shepherds are foremost on my cyber bookshelf!
Happy Lambing!