The shedding ability of this breed varies greatly. Ewes will breed back before the lambs are weaned. Today I have 1/2, 3/4, 7/8th, and 15/16th White Dorper sheep. Dorpers are well-known to mature early as well, with most lambs considered market-ready in as little as 4 months old. The breed has a thick, well muscled carcass and extended period of fertility. Katahdins are docile, medium-sized sheep; ewes weigh 125 to 185 pounds, rams 180 to 250 pounds. This may be due to the fact that wool can hide a lot of rib bones and other defects, while with a hair sheep what you see is what you get. Ta Paul.5. . How the breed carries fat is, I think, important when dealing with older sheep. The breed was created by crossing Dorset and Blackheaded Persian sheep. You can check my blog at Merino sheep for sale. However, if I consider the traits described in this article and add the easy lambing, good mothering and fertility as well as the calm disposition and eye appealing looks of these sheep to the mix, I have come very close to the ideal breed at least for my farming system and my market. They are hardy and do well in range. Dorper ram purchased from Juan Navarro of J.N. 2. A caution when breeding is to choose the right size ram for the ewe. You must log in or register to reply here. http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/Accursed/Smileys/waiting-bored-waiting-boy-smiley-em.gif, Birthing, Weaning, and Raising Young Sheep. We are fortunate that buyers for the large ethnic market in St. Louis often attend sales. Since these breeds are so adaptable, when found in colder climates, the hair sheep adapt by growing a thicker undercoat. This breed is also exceptionally hardy, able to thrive in both the cold, and the hot, humid climates in which many farmers struggle to. If breeding your own sheep for sustainable meat production, you will also want to know the breeding habits of each breed, and whether the sheep produces wool or grows hair this is helpful to know when it comes to maintenance. The only things to consider include: The fact Katahdin sheep dont produce wool isnt necessarily a disadvantage. Hairbreeds have many positive traits that make them an ideal animal for small farms, homesteads, and of course, larger commercial farms. Hi Joanne. Due to its heavily muscled carcass, the Texel sheep is a very popular meat breed. For more on the differences, plus potential pros and cons between the breeds, read on. Q. While mutton and lamb may seem like more of a rarity in America, it is more popular as a main dish in other parts of the world. He experimented with breeding them to meat breeds, finally reaching a point, in the 1970s, where he named the breed, Katahdins after a nearby mountain in his home state of Maine. This has nothing to do with genetics and everything to do with the latitude in which the animal lives: Things being equal, our weights will be lower than the weights of similar Katahdins raised in Canada, but higher than ones raised in Florida. Libyans prefer old worn out buck goats for their stronger flavor. Is there any way to contact him? Just like the Katahdin, you do not have to shear them as they shed their winter coat in the spring. Required fields are marked *. Carefully breeding only the best stock will ensure that the extreme hardiness and good mothering ability remain. A list of the breeds of sheep that are thought of as being good ewe breeds would start with (1) Rambouillet sheep such as there are in Texas (2) several kinds of Whitefaced Western sheep, (3) the Dorset breed, which is a white-faced meat breed . The other half needed shearing. Dorpers Our goal is to develop a flock of productive, easy-care sheep that are scrapie resistant, require no shearing and that reach market specs on grass. Katahdin can be used for both meat and milk, whereas Dorper sheep are only good for meat production. including sheepamong them an extra-special Dorper-Katahdin lamb named Mopple. $300. Katahdin x Lacaune. Dorset sheep thrive in a wide variety of climates, and being wool-producers, they will need to be sheared annually. Katahdins are medium size, hardy, low-maintenance, and have a high-quality carcass weight. Coat & Color: Most of the individuals are white, but tan and spotted ones exist. Currently have a friend running dorper but was looking at katahdins since they are a little bigger. Kt ewes under low-input semiarid conditions of northern Mxico. They can mature to be up to 6 tall, can reach over 400 pounds, and they dont back down Goats vs Sheep: Profit, Care & Behavioral Differences. They can provide you with information pertaining to regulations, health requirements and local export brokers. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'savvyfarmlife_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_9',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-savvyfarmlife_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');This breed is also exceptionally hardy, able to thrive in both the cold, and the hot, humid climates in which many farmers struggle to raise sheep, making it a good choice for almost any climate in the United States. i do not want to cull her from the flock! Twice a year my friend with Polypays shows up at work doubled over as he shuffles around in pain. Secondly at what age are you removing lambs from mothers . Dorset lambs, like the Suffolk and Dorper, mature quickly and are market-ready earlier than many other breeds. This matters up here as our point of having hair sheep is to eliminate useless shearing. (I know, Im not a good farmer) Members List; Customize Search Results Format: Quick Search: Flock ID: Member Name: Farm Name: State: Records 1 - 100 of 1770 records found matching your criteria: All Records : Page 1 of 18 Go To Page . In winter puts on coat that is shed as temperatures increase. They are seasonal breeders, conceiving in the Fall and Winter. Unfortunately, Mr. Piel did not live long enough to see his breed reach having a registry and breed standards. He is a native of Germany and lives in the US since 1995. Moreover, RT was slightly less for Katahdin vs. Dorper in period 4 at 13:00 and 17:00 however, RR was less for Katahdin than for Dorper in periods 3 and 4. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'savvyfarmlife_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_3',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-savvyfarmlife_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Being native to Iceland, this breed is exceptionally cold-hardy, and is an excellent and efficient forager making it able to thrive and find food in harsh environments. November/December 2003 and regularly vetted for accuracy. Originally bred for their meat, the Katahdin tends to have a wider variation of milk production - some ewes producing significantly more (or significantly less) than the average. Hampshire sheep can live in almost any climate, making them a hardy breed. The Katahdin breed has hair instead of wool, and that means less work, according to the couple, who raise the sheep near Perham, Minnesota. What Needle Felting Supplies Do You Use for Sculpting? This article first appeared in the May/June 2010 Hobby Farms. Our spring lambs require 4-5 pounds of dry matter forage to produce each pound of gain. The Dorper is not a true hair sheep, but is included in this fact sheet because it is used in cross breeding programs involving hair sheep. The Dorper is a South African breed of domestic sheep developed by crossing Dorset Horn and the Blackhead Persian sheep.The breed was created through the efforts of the South African Department of Agriculture to breed a meat sheep suitable to the more arid regions of the country. Unsave Save. While Im sure Ill rile a lot of Dorper breeders, Ive seen too many that had been sheared before a sale, which defeats the purpose of a hair animal. This breed tolerates both heat and cold making them a good choice for most climates. Im sure by now you have an answer. Its also common to see animals of up to a year old climbing to the top of a big bale of hay. You can even crossbreed them to develop unique varieties for your farm or homestead. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Breed is docile and calm with good flocking instinct. Their hair falls off naturally during the year, making them an easy breed to care for. Hi just wondering it may be a silly question anyways can you milk Dorper sheep. I direct sell a great number of lambs. Why they are Crossed Waco Childbirth Education 74 subscribers Subscribe 127 Share. For a number of years, there has been a good export market for ewe lambs going to Mexico. Origin: This breed originated from Maine, U.S. from crosses of woolen breeds mainly Suffolk and later Wiltshire Horn with hair sheep from the Virgin Islands. I am new to the sheep business so I am concerned that she will never be large enough to breed. Dorpers grow a combination of hair and wool, and shed naturally meaning no shearing is required. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The flavor of the market lambs is in my opinion mostly influenced by the fact that these lambs are grass-fed. Docking tails is unnecessary, although you still see some old timers that dock just because they always have. -. Animal Breeding Abstracts. Between their size and their courage, llamas may seem intimidating at first. Dorset ewes weigh approximately 150-200 pounds, with the rams weighing on average 275 pounds. Ulf, Black color covers belly, inside legs and thighs and extends up to the neck. Making Natural Clothing Dye From Vegetables. Cole, N.A. They have incredible growth of lambs at butcher weight within 6-8 months with carcass weights in the 45-60 lb range. Most hair sheep breeds will lamb out of season without resorting to hormone therapy. Dorper's are by far the closest hair sheep to the wool breed. The main differences between these two breeds are the colors available, and what they can be used for. The first rams I purchased were of outstanding shedding ability. Lamb meat is known to be more tender and tasty. In Canada, Katahdin sheep commonly gain well over a pound per day. Thanks, I am considering starting a small Dorper and or Katahdin herd to raise meat for the Western New York market. The desire to climb mandates the use of a bale ring to prevent excessive waste. Lambing %: Approximately 125%, exceeding 200% with subsequent lambing. or you can contact me at- How often do dorpers have breeding problems and we will then have to pull the lambs? They do produce wool, and will need to be shorn annually. I had on occasion lambs butchered that exceeded 110 pounds. study was done that showed the parasite resistance. All Rights Reserved | Website by Maple Creative, buildwithmaple.com. The entire belly is black including areas between the legs, nose and forehead. Tunis sheep are known to have an excellent flavor of meat. Photo courtesy of: Dr. Stephan A. Wildeus. This breed was imported in the US in 1904 and was crossed with Mouflon (wild sheep), Rambouillet and other European breeds to produce what is known as American Blackbelly. Thanks, Noela. When the pastures are poor, hair animals hold their body condition much better. His information is given at the conclusion of the article, pasted below. Lambing Interval:It ranges from 6 to 8 months. The Katahdins in the study had a consistently less barber pole worm infestation rate compared to the Dorper and Dorset crosses. Bred to produce less back fat, their meat is lean and flavorful. However, in older hairsheep the flavor is still impressive due to the genetic factor. This increases the risk of falls and injury, which can be expensive to fix. while letting some lambs reach weights up to 100+ lbs. Hair coat becomes thick and long as cold weather sets in and the length decreases. No Need to Shear One of the most obvious benefits of raising Katahdin sheep is that they do not need to be sheared on an annual or twice-per-year basis. This is true for Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix in particular, because they have not been subjected to selection for size and growth rate of the woolen breeds. Although they are one of the newest sheep breeds introduced in America, Katahdin sheep have quickly become a popular choice. Origin: This mutton breed was developed in South Africa in the 1930s from Dorset Horn and Blackheaded Persia for the extensive regions of South Africa. Market Weight/Live/Age: 70 90 lbs / 7 8 months. If ewes are fed well, lambing rate approaches the higher end. $300. Average Birth Weight (Lbs): 7.5 lbs for single, 6.5 7 for twins, and less for triplets. Variance in RT in periods 3 and 4 ranked St. Croix < Dorper < Katahdin. Suffolk grow wool continuously, and will need to be sheared annually. Several Polypay owners in the area worm all animals 6-8 times during the summer and still lose animals to stomach worms. The breeder from whom I purchased the lambs said she is breeding in dorper with the katahdins to "beef" them up a little. Our flock is content to sleep outside in the coldest weather and will have unmelted snow on their backs like a wool animal. The Dorper has a high rate of lambing and is tolerant of the arid conditions it was developed for in South Africa. There are lots of Dorper breeders in NC also, as well as "commercial" crossbreeds: You can search this site by States to find Scrapie-free certified breeders of sheep and goats: In South Africa, the Dorper is likewise most commonly found in arid and semi . A type of hair breed, Katahdin sheep originate in the United States. Some general information on hair sheep is found on the next page. These lambs that I have seen are usually by percentage Dorper rams or rams of lesser quality and out of smaller ewes or lesser quality ewes. Nick. Average Birth Weight (Lbs): 7 lbs for small lambs, 4-5 lbs for twin lambs. This is a very good article to read and understand the secrets of Raising Katahdin Sheep. It was a fairly bold move at the time since it meant giving up on the customers who bought breeding stock from me, and since I also didnt know how well my market lambs would sell. Your email address will not be published. We are currently using rams with high shedding scores, while culling heavily on production traits. The thickness of a Katahdin sheeps winter coat will vary among individuals, but it needs to shed completely for an A or AA coat classification, which is the norm. Some breeders have been working on crosses between traditional wool meat breeds and hair sheep breeds. Disposition & Mothering Ability: This breed is a bit flighty. For example, cold wind and warm sun quickly result in herd finding shelter under conditions when woolen sheep remain in the open. What You Need To Know. Katahdin ewes weigh around 125-185 pounds, and rams average around 200 pounds. Good set of ewes. The ancestry is believed to be of both African hair sheep and European breeds. Dorper Sheep - Sheep Breed Series 22,946 views Mar 15, 2020 417 Dislike Share The Grass-fed Homestead 75.8K subscribers Shepherdess Tess talks about her Dorper sheep breeding program and how. No wool to deal with makes perfect economic sense. HARDINESS They will definitely get too fat. Unlike meat goats, hair sheep are resistant to many of the parasites shed by cattle. There was only the body fleece that needed shearing. As mentioned earlier, hair sheep breeds are considerably more heat-tolerant than wool breeds. We acknowledge the painful history of Gayogoh:n dispossession, and honor the ongoing connection of Gayogoh:n people, past and present, to these lands and waters. We let them be sheep and just help them along. Interested in raising sheep for wool? Katahdin sheep and Dorper are bred as meat sheep breeds. They do produce wool, and need to be shorn on a regular basis. This behavior causes problems with maintaining desirable trees unless protection is provided. The majority of ewe lambs are sold as registered breeding stock; the majority of ram lambs are sold for slaughter. A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. 2023, Countryside - All Rights Reserved, Extract Natural Dye for Wool from Goldenrod Plants, Why Teach Classes on How to Knit, Spin, Weave or Felt, Use This Sweater Mitten Pattern to Bring New Life to Old Clothes. I love lambs Does lambs has less cholesterol than goat? The Katahdin sheep is listed as a Recovering heritage breed on the ALBC Conservation Priority List. What sheep breeds are best for meat? Many of the Dorper you see have been crossed with Katahdin sheep for several reasons. Ron remembers raising wool sheep as a teenager. Thirty percent of the ewes were first-time lambers, having an average of 1.2 lambs/ewe. Most Muslims prefer intact ram lambs without tails being docked. However, they are suitable for markets requiring smaller carcass size. Ive seen Shropshire being used to keep weeds and grass down in Christmas tree plantations. So, what about littering the pasture with wool? Royal Whites are more recent in the hair sheep scene and development is still ongoing. Technical Abstract: I raise all my sheep and lambs strictly on pasture and feed no grain whatsoever. Youll find these sheep to have an easy-going temperament, and they tend to produce leaner meat with even fat distribution. They are well adapted to a variety of climatic and grazing conditions. Dorpers tend to be a little larger, and Katahdins are excellent mothers, so a Dorper /Kathadin cross is nearly perfect. The Dorper is the fastest growing, heaviest-muscled hair sheep breed in the U.S. Dorpers do not shed as well as other hair sheep, but their carcasses are superior to any other breed of hair sheep. Katahdin Dorper The Dorper is a mutton breed of hair sheep developed in the 1930s. Crossing these breeds with woolen breeds for efficient meat production does hold some potential. If my product would be poorly finished or wouldnt taste good, I surely would lose customers. The Cornell Small Farms Program is housed at Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) in Ithaca, NY, and works in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension across New York State. At that weight there are no problems with too much fat cover whatsoever. Well, at least Katahdins, St Croix and barbs. Suffolk ewes are excellent mothers and prolific breeders. Very tolerant of the humid hot conditions in the Carribean andSomolia, Blackhead Persians have a white body and black head. Lambs can also take a little longer to reach their market weight than some other breeds of sheep. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Extremely reactive to dogs and cats usually as though they wish to flee. Have been buying in feed since the start of 2018. In another study conducted by Gamble and Zajac for the Agricultural Research Service of the USDA and Virginia Tech, the scientists found that St. Croix "demonstrated high levels of acquired resistance to Haemonchus contortus under conditions of experimental or natural infection." The breed was created by crossing Dorset and Blackheaded Persian sheep. This breed averages in maturity at around 175 220 pounds. I have a pet ram lamb, texel dorset cross I was told. Cheviots produce alert, strong lambs who are efficient foragers. Apparently, Momma Kathadin doesnt wait around to see what happens when Mr. Coyote shows up for dinner. Some Ewes shed coats after second lambing. This information may be used to compare breeds of hair sheep. This is not a true hair sheep. My Texel sheep had served me well with their ability to finish on pasture, with their excellent meaty carcasses and with their lambing percentage of over 200 percent. The shedding process may take some getting used to but will not litter your pasture with wool Photographer: Ulf Kintzel. Icelandic Sheep are another popular choice for meat, with ewes weighing an average of 150 pounds at maturity, and rams averaging 200 pounds. In many cases, farmers are adding hair sheep to pastures with cattle to maximize efficiency and for parasite control. Cheviots are easy to breed, meeting a 90% lambing average without assistance. They are excellent mothers. Our experienced ewes averaged 2.1 lambs/ewe born with 1.9 weaned. Thank so much for this information. This means that, theoretically, a Dorper ewe can produce a lamb (or 2 or 3) every 8 months. Keep reading to learn more about the best sheep breeds for meat. Sheep and cattle have different grazing needs and preferences, and the sheep will clean up the growth that doesnt appeal to the cows. While I had no worries about my 1/2 market lambs since the Texel influence was still strong, my anticipation when the first 3/4 market lambs were harvested was great. In addition to being a smaller breed, the lambs tend to mature slowly, not reaching ideal market weight until around 2 years of age. Breeding stock is selected under rigorous criteria, including parasite resistance, hair coat, growth characteristics on grass alone and general thriftiness. In our operation, that sheep breed is the Katahdin sheep. The only problem with colesterol is that the big pharma found a new drug to sell. ~Ann, Your email address will not be published. The American Sheep Industry recognizes 47 different sheep breeds in the US, with hundreds more recognized internationally. The katahdin//dorper crosses are noticeably bigger than the pure katahdins. They were an excellent choice for this as they seldom bothered the pine trees. Dorper-sired lambs produce carcasses that are most similar in weight and muscling to that of wool breeds, but generally have greater fatness when slaughtered at the same age. We both work off thefarm; therefore time is a commodity in short supply. best beef in the word is lamb,i like lamb beef spesialis sate.. Amazing sheep, been breeding the Dorper for sometime now and i must say their adaptability is really outstanding. If you have space to corral a few sheep, you can fill the freezer with a healthy alternative to beef and chicken. The carcass of the Cheviot tends to be plump and meaty, with just enough fat to produce a succulent meat. I recently purchased 4 ram lambs for meat. Katahdins are alert, protective mothers. More on that subject later. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. To appeal to ethnic buyers, it often requires a change in flock management. Our spring lambs on pasture alone (17-20 percent protein and 65-72percentdigestible organic matter-DOM) will average 55-60 pounds. Later on I found out that this was the faster route to accomplish shedding in the offspring. Bosnians want 60-pound animals while Muslims often prefer 60-80 pound animals. However, they all shed around the belly, legs, head, and all the other places that would otherwise prolong shearing. Our young Katahdins can be difficult to move. They also do well eating the vegetation that other species reject. Breeding Season: They breed throughout the year. The Dorper sheep has gained popularity in the last decade for meat production, with ewes reaching a weight of 170-250 pounds, and rams up to 250 pounds. We have eight foot Scotch Pines that look like a girdled palm tree and have seen them strip an old dried Christmas tree of its needles. If you have a disability and are having trouble accessing information on this website or need materials in an alternate format, please contact Cornell University via email at, Cornell University is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogoh:n. If I took the chance and had her bred would she be able to carry her lamb/s? In general they have low maintenance requirements. When the price of raw wool fleece is below the cost of shearing the animal, this is not cost effective. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. . As hair sheep breeds become more popular, it will be important for breeders to ensure the future integrity of the breeds. Fencing. Im Carmella. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Contact | About Us | Sitemap, As one of the most populous sheep breeds in America, the. Environmental Adaptability:They are adaptable to all climates. While I cant speak for other hair breeds, Katahdin sheep are tough, hardy animals with eating habits more like that of a goat. Here is a list of the top 10 sheep breeds for meat:if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'savvyfarmlife_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_0',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-savvyfarmlife_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Sheep are one of the most versatile livestock animals you can find when it comes to the number of different products they are able to produce. The best genetics wont keep an animal from starving to death. View Details. Staking livestock to a rope and expecting them to clear vegetation is ineffective and can result in . The SNPs in NOS2, TGFB2, and IL2RA genes were also observed with high genetic differentiation in the Katahdin and St. Croix vs Dorper analysis. The Kasteel White Dorper Stud farm lies in an arid area of the Republic of South Africa, called the Great Karoo. As a bit of trivia, the majority of cull ewes the U.S. exports go to the Mexico City area. has anyone had CL in Dorper sheep one of my fav ewes has CL and we are trying to find a way to maybe stop it! While they always have access to a wind break when the wind howls, they are not being housed with the exception of those that lamb during the winter. Sure enough, hes been trimming hooves. The phrases youll hear most often is either mutton or lamb. It improves from year one to year two of age but can again be reduced by external factors like disease or weight loss. Nitrogen retention by lambs fed oscillating dietary protein concentrations. Blackbellys are often left unvaccinated due to their disease and parasite resistance (though of course, we recommend you do your research on the breed and talk to a vet about what they recommend for vaccinating). His father Barley ( in picture behind him) is a full blooded Dorper. If you plan on raising lambs for meat, youll need to know everything that comes with taking care of baby sheep. Required fields are marked *. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 100 130, Ram = 120 150.