Put Smaller Sheep With Larger?

I have a small flock of about 8 Jacob sheep (no rams).  I am thinking about getting a Shetland or two for their lovely fiber.  Would the larger Jacobs pick on the smaller Shetlands?
Would two Shetlands be better than one?  Would it be a good idea to raise a Shetland lamb with the Jacob lambs?

Thanks!

Welcome to Permies!

I have absolutely no personal experience with sheep, and I have never heard of sheep picking on each other. (I have heard a lot about goats though!)


source
Are Shetland sheep a particularly placid breed?

Hello Cc!

I have Finnsheep.  

They do have a pecking order.    I think I would get two or three shetlands so they can have their own social group.  


If you have the space for it I would keep the shetlands in their own pen for a few days.   Ideally, the cautious thing is to quarantine new animals for a few weeks.  
Not everybody does this though and we all have to find our own way.  

Once you are ready to introduce your new sheep, I would build a pen with an adjoining fence line with your ewes.  Let them all get to know each other through the fence.  There should be lots of eager noses and happy sniffing.  If there is any head butting and territorial behavior the fence will take the brunt of it.   I would watch them closely for a half hour or so and then feed everybody.   Maybe you don't feed hay, but give them treats or something so you can watch how they are in a feeding cycle.  You will learn who is who in the group and have an idea whom to watch for troublesome behavior later.  

After 24 - 48 hours I would put your new shetlands in with the jacobs and watch them.   After things settle down I would feed, making sure there are abundant spots to get to the feed or treats.  Competition creates problems, abundance allows the weak ones to feel at ease.


Please post some pictures of your sheep!

We have Shetlands with our Icelandics (not as big as Jacobs but they're bigger than Shetlands) and they do fine. A lot depends on the temperament of your larger sheep. If they tend to be aggressive, it's probably not a good idea. Even if they are gentle, you'll go through an introductory period, but they'll adjust fine. I would get two or three though, not just one. It's always easier to introduce multiples, even within the same breed.
The hardest ones to introduce are rams to other rams. Ewes are generally pretty simple, and a single ram to a group of ewes is also fairly easy (as a general rule).