What is the Jacob Sheep Breed - and is it Right for You?
Jacob sheep have been romanticized throughout history as being the original sheep of the Bible. While their exact origins are unknown, pictorial evidence does support their start in what is known as Syria today.
The Jacob sheep breed is a multipurpose breed that is used for a multitude of things. Both rams and ewes are horned with the males typically having four horns. They are most commonly raised for their meat, wool, and skin.
In this post, I’ll tell you everything you ever needed to know about the Jacob sheep breed. From lambing to diseases to the pros and cons of the breed, I’ve got you covered.
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What Are Jacob Sheep Used For?
Jacob sheep are a multipurpose breed and are used for a variety of things, including the following:
Wool production
Meat production
Hide production
Raising as pets
Raising for ornamental purposes
Guarding other farm animals against predators
Protecting farm property from theft and vandalism
Why Are They Called Jacob’s Sheep?
This breed is referred to as Jacob’s Sheep because of a story in the Bible in the Old Testament, specifically the Book of Genesis. The story was about Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebecca. He had infuriated his brother Esau and was sent away to live with his uncle.
While living with his uncle, Jacob became a shepherd. He was eventually given all the speckled and spotted, otherwise known as piebald, sheep. This allowed him to become very wealthy, unlike most sheep keepers of the time.
Jacob and his wife traveled from his uncle’s home back to his parents in Canaan with their flocks. Eventually, they moved on to Egypt, taking the sheep with them.
History of the Jacob Sheep Breed
The actual origins of the Jacob sheep breed are unknown, according to the Jacob Sheep Society and the Jacob Sheep Breeders Association. There is, however, some historical evidence to indicate that the breed has its origins in what is known as Syria today. There is pictorial evidence tracing their movement through North Africa, Spain, Sicily, and England.
By the 1600s, spotted sheep were notated in England and by the mid-1700s, they were widespread. They became favored as ornamental sheep, otherwise known as park sheep. An ideal breed for this, Jacobs were picturesque and required minimal care.
The mid-1900s saw the first imports to North America. However, most of the North American population today has descended from the imports of the last 30 years. This breed is particularly popular among the smaller flock holders as well as those who spun and weaved.
Despite the fact that more people are preferring Jacob lamb meat to other types - and other benefits, like the fact that these sheep successfully produce sufficient milk for their lambs, that the black and white coloring is ideal for wool production, and more, these polycerate British breeds are still considered a rare breed by the American Minor Breeds Conservancy and the Jacob Sheep Conservancy alike.
Why Do Jacob Sheep Have 4 Horns?
Jacob sheep have an amazing characteristic - they can present two, four, six, or even eight horns. This is due to a special gene that they have called the polycerate gene. Males with four horns are the most common example of the breed.
Both males and females are horned. The male will grow larger, more formidable horns than the female.
Males will normally grow horns on the top and sides of their heads. The two on the top will be crescent-shaped while the two on the sides will be spiral-shaped.
Ewes are most commonly two-horned but have been known to have four horns. Hers will typically be two smaller horns on the top of her head.
Appearance of the Jacob Sheep
Jacob sheep are small sheep compared to other modern breeds. Ewes weigh 80 to 120 pounds while mature rams weigh 120 to 180 pounds. They resemble a goat in their conformation.
The most common coloration of this breed is black and white, or piebald. Its body frame is long, its back is straight, and its rump slopes toward its tail’s base. The breed’s head is slender, triangular, and free of wool forward of the horns and on the cheeks.
A Jacob sheep’s tail is long and wooly. It extends almost to the hock if it has not been docked. The sheep’s legs are slender, medium-length, free of wool beneath the knees, and typically white but may have color splotches.
Are Jacobs Sheep Friendly?
When Jacob sheep are raised around people, they can be friendly, making them docile and good pets. They are outgoing, intelligent, and friendly. They enjoy receiving attention as well as being scratched and petted.
However, Jacob sheep have also been used as guard animals to protect other farm animals as well as farm property. They are fierce protectors and will battle with predators and trespassers.
Jacob sheep do not adhere to flocking like other domestic breeds. They can be skittish toward people if they are not used to them but daily handling will tame them.
The ewes are instantly attentive and protective of their lambs. Because of their ease in lambing and their attentive mothering skills, they are included in commercial flocks in England.
Are Jacobs Sheep Raised for Meat, Milk, Wool, or All Three?
Jacob sheep are raised for their meat, wool, and hides. American Jacob sheep, however, are preferred for their fleece. British Jacob sheep, on the other hand, are more widely selected and bred for their meat.
Choose Jacob Sheep for Lamb
Although the Jacob sheep breed is smaller, it produces a significant amount of meat. As a primitive breed, it features a leaner build with little external fat, presenting a higher yield of meat with less waste than improved breeds.
Analyses of the meat have revealed that Jacob sheep is low in total fat and cholesterol but high in good quality protein when compared to other red meats. This fine quality meat can be produced from Jacobs foraging only on pasture and minimal grain supplement.
Additionally, Jacob meat is praised for its amazing taste. The finished meat is tender and flavorful and does not develop a gamey taste. It is considered to be one of the best-tasting lamb meats around.
Jacob sheep meat is highly sought after by top restaurant chefs. They can be harvested whenever you want their meat. At 1 ½ years old, a Jacob sheep will give you approximately 60 to 65 pounds of meat cut and wrapped.
Jacob Sheep Produce High Quality Wool
Jacob sheep offer medium-grade wool that has a high luster that is prized by weavers and hand spinners. Because of the breed’s primitiveness, its wool can have a range of staple lengths as well as fineness.
When it comes to length, it can be anywhere from medium to long, ranging from 3 to 7 inches. For fineness, it ranges from 36 to 37 microns. This makes it durable, soft, and of a good staple length.
Jacob wool is wider than some of the finer wool breeds, but it is still a pleasant option to work with. With a fair amount of loft and spring, this wool has just the right amount of luster to allow its finished yarn to have a beautiful but subtle sheen.
These sheep are white with large black spots that have clearly defined edges. This distinction between the colors allows for easy separation of the wool once it is sheared.
Two distinct natural colors of yarn can be spun from the same sheep. The two colors can also be blended to create a gray yarn.
Jacob sheep have one of the widest variations in fleece type among the sheep breeds. Fleece that is free of kemp and has a good crimp throughout is deemed good quality. That which is ideal for hand spinning is soft and carries little grease.
Some variations are not acceptable for hand spinning. These fleeces are coarse and hairy, making them incompatible with the fine process.
Tanned Jacob sheepskins bring in high market prices. They are well-known for making sheepskin rugs.
Lambing and Reproduction with Jacob Sheep
The Jacob sheep is largely considered to be an unimproved sheep species because it has prevailed with little human selection. In many instances, they have been left to mate within their own species, retaining the characteristics of their original wildness and physical traits.
In America, the Jacob breed has not been subjected to extensive selective breeding or cross-breeding except for the case of fleece characteristics. As is the norm with unimproved breeds, there is significant variation among the members of a flock.
The British Jacob, however, has been selectively bred for greater productivity of meat. These sheep tend to be heavier and larger with a more uniform appearance. While the American Jacob has retained much of the original characteristics, the British Jacob has lost them.
Lambing Ease
Because they have the low tail dock and unimproved anatomy, Jacob ewes have a widely known reputation for being easy to lamb. They are seasonal breeders and the ewes typically cycle during the cooler months of the fall.
A Jacob ewe will begin cycling the first fall after her birth and will most commonly give birth to a single lamb the first time. Future pregnancies will bear one or two lambs with triplets not being uncommon. Births occur in the spring.
The lambs can be weaned as early as two months. However, many shepherds choose not to separate the lambs from the ewes until they are at least four months old. Jacob ewes rearing lambs tend to be attentive and caring mothers.
Pros and Cons of Jacob Sheep
There are several benefits to raising Jacob sheep that make them ideal for large and small flock masters alike. The species is, first and foremost, very prolific with a born alive percentage of 190%.
Because of their easy lambing capabilities, they make a great choice for first-time lamb breeders. Additionally, this benefit helps cut back on labor needed on the farm.
The ewes have excellent mothering qualities, including an abundant production of milk. They will produce enough to feed triplets without the need for supplemental feedings.
Jacob sheep can easily be overwintered outside and they attract few disease problems. Compared to many other breeds, they are less susceptible to foot problems as well. It’s not unheard of for a ewe to rear and raise lambs for upwards of 7 years.
Tay Sachs in Jacob Sheep
While these sheep are not known for attracting a lot of diseases, some are unique to the Jacob sheep and are serious.
In 1999, Texas farmers, Fred and Jean Horak, noticed that two of their Jacob lambs had developed signs of a nervous system disorder while very young. Veterinary studies indicated the lambs had a lipid storage problem but no enzyme issues could be found.
The Horaks realized they were dealing with an inherited disease and decided to keep the gene around until science could identify it. More than a decade later, they got their answer. Their lambs had Tay-Sachs Disease.
Tay-Sachs Disease is a hereditary genetic disorder that is very rare. It is the result of a missing enzyme responsible for breaking down fatty substances, resulting in the substances building up to a toxic level in the brain and spinal cord.
Because of the genetic similarities between Jacob sheep and humans, they have been taken in as test subjects to hopefully find a cure for this disease to prevent child deaths.
Split eyelid is another condition known to affect the Jacob sheep and is a congenital defect. It is genetically linked to the trait of being multi-horned.
In mild cases, the sheep’s eyelid will have a peak. However, vision will not be impaired, and there will be no discomfort. In extreme cases, there will be a complete separation in the middle of the upper eyelid.
Cow Hocked Tendencies
Jacob sheep are also prone to being cow-hocked. This is a congenital disease in which a hock is set inward, giving the sheep the appearance that its rear legs are splayed. It can cause the hooves to wear unevenly, ultimately resulting in lameness.
You’ll need to keep an eye out for early signs. While most Jacob sheep continue to live long, fruitful lives with no assistance, some do require extra veterinary care.
How to Raise Jacob Sheep
Jacob sheep are very easy to care for, requiring only the basics of shelter, food, and water. The shelter can be a simple, three-sided hut that will protect them from driving precipitation and offer shade.
They will feed on hay and fresh pasture. You can offer grain occasionally but they do better with roughage.
It’s also a good idea to offer these spotted sheep a free-choice mineral supplement so that they can get any minerals they are missing out on. Many people feel that this is not necessary but if you want to keep your Jacob sheep as healthy as possible, don’t skip this step
Looking for more information on how to raise sheep? Be sure to check out this post and this sheep management ultimate guide.
Special Considerations When Raising Jacob Sheep
Finding a purebred Jacob sheep is quite the challenge. They aren’t very common in the United States and because of their unique appearance, maintaining them as purebred is difficult. There are many crossbreeds currently available.
This breed does not flock well. They are hard to transport together and are skittish around people. It will take daily handling to tame them and make them comfortable around people.
Because it is not common practice to dock the Jacob’s tail, you have to be ever vigilant to prevent flystrike. This is more common in sheep whose tails are not docked because manure will collect there. Maintain a clean environment to ensure that this does not become an issue.
Where to Buy Jacob Sheep
You can buy Jacob sheep directly from farmers or at livestock shows. They are harder to find in the United States but by doing your research, you can find a reputable dealer with purebred Jacob sheep.
Final Thoughts
The Jacob sheep breed is known for its meat, wool, and skin but has also been used as an ornamental animal. It is a protector and can be a docile, loving pet.
While it is robust and hardy, it is susceptible to some serious conditions that are either hereditary or congenital. Tay-Sachs Disease, split eyelid, and being cow hocked are the main conditions the Jacob sheep are known for and they’re all something the sheep are born with.
Hard to find but easy to care for - and absolutely beautiful. So is the Jacob sheep right for you?
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