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It is funny to watch them after being shorn. The difference after being shorn is amazing – from a 3-4 inch thick wool coat down to a buzz cut.

Shearing is back breaking work and I don’t think the sheep enjoy it any more than I do. Each sheep is brought out of the barn onto a clean dry surface to be shorn. The ewes are heavy with lamb at this point so they are handled very carefully. Shearing day is done on a warm dry day in February or March. Zach Miller, Nate Miller and Khoke Livingston on shearing day. The wool is washed, picked, carded, spun, and made into warm socks, hats, scarves, and sweaters. My wife, friends and neighbors are quick to pick up certain ewe’s fleece that they particularly like to take home. Jacobs have soft, open, low lanolin wool that is well suited to process at home. And indeed, today, care is taken in the selection of new rams to slowly improve the flocks fleece quality. The original purpose of Jacob sheep on our farm was to provide high quality natural color wool. I have cared for our flock for seven years now, and have come to know their seasons. To add to the value they bring in and the products they provide, our Jacobs also bring grace and beauty to our farm. Lambs go to market, quality breeding stock is sold to other Jacob breeders, and wool is taken to a fiber mill. They provide wool, meat, sheep skins and farm income. Jacob sheep serve a vital role on our farm. Since this original purchase in the early 90’s they have grazed our farm in varying numbers ever since. Our farm’s story with Jacob sheep began with the purchase of two ewes and a ram Craft’s Princess Perfect, Craft’s Greta Garbo and Craft’s Maxwell from Bob & Marianne Craft Norton of Bluffton, IA. For those who might want more information about this breed see Our Story Once a rare breed, Jacob sheep are becoming more common across the country. Its mission is to record and preserve this magnificent breed of sheep. With help from the American Minor Breeds Conservancy the Jacob Sheep Breeders Association was formed in 1988. Jacob ewes lamb easily, usually with little or no help from the shepherd. Overall they are hardy, show good resistance to internal parasites and foot problems, and have excellent mothering instincts. A well balanced four horned Jacob ram is the most spectacular example of this breed.īecause Jacob sheep have not undergone selective breeding to meet the commercial market they have retained some of their original primitive qualities. Jacobs have an amazing characteristic of being able to have two, four, six or even (rarely) eight horns, caused by their polycerate gene. They are now increasing in numbers on farms across the country. Because of their unique black and white coloring and striking horns, they were originally imported to the U.S. from the United Kingdom in the early 20th century. Jacob sheep are an old heritage breed that came to the U.S. So goes my daily winter routine caring for our sheep.

They protect the flock from coyotes and are eager to get their breakfast on this cold morning. In this cold weather they sleep in the barn on their warm dog beds.

Rooster and Angel, our two livestock guardian dogs, wait patiently as I fill their dog bowls. This will provide, along with salt, vitamins & minerals necessary for them and their growing lambs. Like black and white blimps on legs, I muse, pouring a scoop of Thervin kelp into their rubber tub. Our Jacob sheep look warm in their winter coats. I want them to be clean for shearing time. I’m careful not to sprinkle the ewes with the orchard alfalfa hay as I refill their feeders. They bleat in unison to the sound of my familiar voice, asking for their breakfast. Now out of the bitter cold wind, I wipe the ice from my face and grab a pitchfork.

Our group of 37 bred ewes are comfortable in their barn even though it is -6 degrees F. My breath condenses, then turns to ice on my mustache and eyebrows, as I walk through the latest three inches of snow up to the sheep barn.

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