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Neroche Flock of Pedigree Jacob Sheep
The Neroche Flock takes its name from nearby Castle Neroche, an ancient motte and bailey, believed to have been built in the Iron Age between 500BC and 50BCand abandoned at the turn of the 12th Century. Jacob Sheep are an ancient breed going back to biblical days. They spread from Palestine to Egypt and over thousands of years travelled to Spain via the cost of North Africa and Morocco. In the 17th and 18th Century they were imported from Spain. At the end of the First World War many flocks in Britain had disappeared and they became registered as a rare breed. However, the dedication of a few enthusiasts preserved the breed and today there are 2,000 sheep registered each year. As there is every possibility they formed part of the livestock of dwellers around Neroche Castle, it seemed fitting Jacobs should return to the scene.
The Neroche Flock was started in May 2004. We now have 20 ewes and rams. This year we lambed only 5 of our breeding Jacob ewes resulting in 8 beautiful lambs. These will eventually either be sold off as breeding stock; retained to replace our older stock or selected for their succulent meat which we sell locally or put in the home freezer. The wool from the ewes and rams will be sheared off early summer and taken to Axminster in Devon to be made into floor tiles or carpets.
Two years after we started the flock we entered the bi-annual Jacob Sheep Society South West Region Flock Competition. Our hard work in building up a healthy flock paid off because we won 1st prize for the best ram, 1st prize for best small flock and the Corton Perpetual Challenge Cup for having the highest aggregate points.
Some of our Jacob flock with lambs
Our main Jacob rams Spring lambs