Baby Sheep: What a Baby Sheep is Called & Other Fun Facts. We saw their ad and went to look at their Dorper rams. Katahdins often breeding out of season. Its also common to see animals of up to a year old climbing to the top of a big bale of hay. Although they are one of the newest sheep breeds introduced in America, Katahdin sheep have quickly become a popular choice. Featured Listing. When the pastures are poor, hair animals hold their body condition much better. Dorpers DO NOT shed their coats as well and consistently as katahdins. The shedding process may take some getting used to but will not litter your pasture with wool Photographer: Ulf Kintzel. Market Weight/Live/Age: 80 110 lbs / 5.5 6 months. If you are interested in bringing a herd of small livestock to your homestead, you will want to look into both sheep and goats. Sheep are one of the most versatile producers when it comes to livestock animals. Our experienced ewes averaged 2.1 lambs/ewe born with 1.9 weaned. Katahdins have generated a great deal of interest from all parts of North America. Ewes will breed back before the lambs are weaned. The Dorper have a black head extending in the neck, with a white body. Lambing %: Given an average lambing percent of 150 and 3 lambing in 2 years, Dorper will produce 2.25 lambs on an annual basis. Why they are Crossed - YouTube 0:00 / 4:43 Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. Required fields are marked *. We find its seldom necessary to trim hooves. No difference was noted between the purebred breeds of hair sheep. They have woolier coats and are slower to shed (most of them). You will find the occasional larger patch of wool in your pasture and you will definitely find wool and hair on the trees where the sheep rub. It improves from year one to year two of age but can again be reduced by external factors like disease or weight loss. While hair breeds comprise a small percentage of the number of sheep in North America, this is changing as sustainability becomes a bigger issue for landowners. Cheviots produce alert, strong lambs who are efficient foragers. 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. We also sell breeding stock locally. The main questions to ask yourself to determine the answer are: Katahdin sheep come in multiple color varieties, whereas Dorper sheep are white and black. Hair coat becomes thick and long as cold weather sets in and the length decreases. Due to the high amount of red muscle fibers, the Icelandic sheep has a uniquely tender and fine texture. It is raised mainly for meat production. As hair sheep breeds become more popular, it will be important for breeders to ensure the future integrity of the breeds. It is actually a hybrid which is bred for producing more meat, less fat and less wool with the goal of producing lean tender meat. As well as a hand full of peanuts every day. This breed is adaptable and can live in many different climates. Flock owners with less than 50 animals have a difficult time getting someone to shear unless they pool their animals with neighbors. I had on occasion lambs butchered that exceeded 110 pounds. Ewes will weigh an average of 190 pounds, with rams reaching up to 300 pounds. At that weight the fat cover did indeed get too much. Are Llamas Dangerous? As mentioned earlier, hair sheep breeds are considerably more heat-tolerant than wool breeds. In 2001, my friend with Polypay paid $2 to shear $.50 worth of wool per animal. Cheviots are easy to breed, meeting a 90% lambing average without assistance. After slaughter, all thats left is hide, manure and stomach contents. Katahdins are awesome and productive mothers plus they are a very hardy breed and the Dorper will put more size on the meat sheep. As you can see in picture Spike has some tiny horn buds; they have never grown . They are the generally more fertile in hot humid regions and show greater tolerance to parasites than woolen breeds. Looking forward to reply. We had the idea of crossing a Dorper with their 60 Katahdin ewes. The breed is famous in the United States for its high performance and low maintenance. 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. Mostly Katahdin hair ewes exposed to Dorper and Katahdin bucks. He is a native of Germany and lives in the US since 1995. Research has shown Dorper have good parasite tolerance or resilience rather than resistance. Do you have to go around picking it up out of the pasture? For more on the differences, plus potential pros and cons between the breeds, read on. They are also highly resistant to many parasites that can become bothersome to other breeds of sheep. Lambing Interval:It ranges from 6 to 8 months. We figured the combination would be a meatier sheep." They bought the ram in 1996 and some ewes the following spring. Katahdin is probably the more economical choice, however, namely because they can produce both meat and milk. Some of the main pros of keeping Katahdin sheep include: Katahdin sheep are one of the easiest breeds of sheep to care for. Selling Price: $325.00 / Head. American Blackbelly Consider the pros and cons featured above before making your decision. take it from me, you dont have to worry about anyone getting too fat. The Katahdin breed was developed in the United States by Michael Piel. Katahdin x Texel. Katahdin Sheep work very well in a variety of production situations as a low-maintenance, easy care sheep. 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. Fencing. Later on I found out that this was the faster route to accomplish shedding in the offspring. Unfortunately, as the percentage of Dorper increases, more wool is found in their coat and some animals lose some of their shedding ability. Lamb meat is known to be more tender and tasty. The phrases youll hear most often is either mutton or lamb. Reaching maturity earlier than many breeds, the Suffolk lamb will reach an average of 116 pounds by 100 days of age. 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. Hairbreeds have many positive traits that make them an ideal animal for small farms, homesteads, and of course, larger commercial farms. We let them be sheep and just help them along. Hair sheep breeds are growing in popularity as consumers look for economical ways to raise homestead meat animals. The Dorper has a high rate of lambing and is tolerant of the arid conditions it was developed for in South Africa. If you consider hairsheep like White Dorpers in the future dont forget to ask the breeder about the shedding ability of their flock! Dorset sheep thrive in a wide variety of climates, and being wool-producers, they will need to be sheared annually. Katahdin meat tends to be leaner than many other breeds. These include: The fact Dorper sheep are easy to breed is a huge advantage. For specific questions, please contact the author. Dorper Vs Katadhin Sheep: Which is better for your homestead? A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. Request PDF | Signatures of selection in sheep and goats infected with Haemonchus contortus | Host genetic variation for resistance to Haemonchus contortus allows selective breeding of animals for . There was only the body fleece that needed shearing. In fact, when we have pot roast from a culled ewe I can still fool my wife into thinking we had lamb for dinner. Katahdin-sired lambs typically produce carcasses that are heavier in weight and more muscular than St. Croix or Barbados Blackbelly when harvested at a similar age. Question is this common? At that weight there are no problems with too much fat cover whatsoever. There is no such thing as an ideal breed. This is a very old article and I do not have the contact info for John. They will definitely get too fat. Do you want to earn multiple income streams from your flock. Dorpers grow a combination of hair and wool, and shed naturally meaning no shearing is required. Wondering What to Feed Sheep? Katahdins are a popular meat breed for sheep farmers. And does anyone have experience with katahdin ewes on dorper bucks . Yes, you can milk Dorper sheep! Parasitol. Dorper sheep originated in South Africa and were the result of crossing Dorset Horn with Blackheaded Persian sheep. Dorset lambs, like the Suffolk and Dorper, mature quickly and are market-ready earlier than many other breeds. Just like to make a comment. Some general information on hair sheep is found on the next page. Origin: This breed was developed or evolved on the Eastern Caribbean Island of Barbados. We are currently using rams with high shedding scores, while culling heavily on production traits. Ulf, They reach sexual maturity early, and will remain fertile for a longer period of time than many other breeds. The Dorper has a high rate of lambing and is tolerant of the arid conditions it was developed for in South Africa. The ancestry is believed to be of both African hair sheep and European breeds. 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. Hi currently running flock of 600. This breed is also exceptionally hardy, able to thrive in both the cold, and the hot, humid climates in which many farmers struggle to. What is the point of getting hairsheep when you end up shearing them? For example, we consider time spent worming, shearing, docking and trimming hooves as merely maintaining an operation. Next Page: Flock ID Last Name First Name Farm Name Address City State . Any sheep can technically produce meat, but if youre looking to raise sheep for commercial meat production, youll want to make sure you get a good return on investment. The ewes produce vigorous, healthy, robust lambs that have a high survivability. I'll be using my Barbados Blackbelly ram on my BB ewes and also a few Kathadin ewes. Although the breed was created in the 1930s, it is still fairly new to the US. In our operation, that sheep breed is the Katahdin sheep. The only things to consider include: The fact Katahdin sheep dont produce wool isnt necessarily a disadvantage. In winter puts on coat that is shed as temperatures increase. The Dorper is a good example of this interbreeding. No wool to deal with makes perfect economic sense. 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. Lambing %: Approximately 125%, exceeding 200% with subsequent lambing. ( From Buckler Farms near Granville TN) His mom is at least 50% dorper and Katahdin. If this same time is spent building homestead fencing, watersystems, improving lambing or handling facilities, its improving an operation. Hair sheep breeds simply shed their hair covering and fleecy undercoat when the weather warms. Your email address will not be published. One needs to do a detail review of the information related to the hair breed one wishes to raise. Now meat sheep producers are lucky if wool prices cover . Environmental Adaptability: Withstand heat and cold well, and part of this adjustment to extremes is behavioral. Hi Mary. In lambs, grain feeding versus grass-fed has a greater influence on flavor than the differences in breeds. Thirdly how long after separation to market. Whether youre looking to be more self-sufficient or to make some income selling meat to local restaurants, raising sheep for meat can enable you to do both. http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/Accursed/Smileys/waiting-bored-waiting-boy-smiley-em.gif, Birthing, Weaning, and Raising Young Sheep. About. You are using an out of date browser. 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. Romanov The Romanov breed may not be as popular as the Katahdin and Dorper, but it holds a very important value in this . My question is, how much should he weigh. LMAO!!!! However, if thats what you are looking for then this breed might not be for you. Dorper fullbloods, Katahdin fullbloods and St Croix fullbloods, We have a nice big fullblood dorper ram that we are putting over the St Croix and the Katahdin. At 90 days, weve had November-December lambs on pasture, hay and whole grain (corn or milo) average 75 pounds. When it comes down to it, the choice of whether to add Dorper sheep or Katahdin sheep to your homestead is more about personal preference. But the dorpers always have say ten % that need shearing still. 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. Why Katahdin x Dorper Crosses At Stoneheart Farms we specialize in Katahdin x Dorper crosses for exceptional market lambs and for replacement breeding stock. After being in the business of raising wool sheep of various kinds for two decades, I decided in 2005 to start with hair sheep. Purebred Dorper rams can reach a live-weight of 90-120 kg and ewes 50-80kg. They were significantly more reasonably priced and for practical matters were the same. I usually harvest my lambs between 80 and 90 lbs. 80 pounds at 90 days can be expected. Feel free to contact the author, Ulf Kintzel, at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com for further information. They can provide you with information pertaining to regulations, health requirements and local export brokers. Katahdin ewes weigh around 125-185 pounds, and rams average around 200 pounds. I am new to the sheep business so I am concerned that she will never be large enough to breed. You have to pay to have it sheared once a year. He farms in the Finger Lakes area in upstate New York. 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. "We liked their look," Ruby puts in. As we disperse all our crossbreeds, weve found the crossbred cull ewes with a wool coat have sold for 50-75percentof what comparable weight hair ewes bring. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. McKinney. They require less worming medications as a general rule. 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. My Dorper ram is not really large but he is bigger than her. Sales at the 2022 mid America Dorper Show nearly broke $1 MILLION with the top Dorper ewe bringing $20,000 and ram $12,800. His information is given at the conclusion of the article, pasted below. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 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 web-accessibility@cornell.edu for assistance. $300. Typically, the 75 percent Dorper crosses will exhibit the Dorper coloration and conformation. Sure enough, hes been trimming hooves. Animal Breeding Abstracts. Very interesting and informational! and, as such, the data are estimates. The other half needed shearing. The Katahdin sheep breed was developed in Maine to help clear brush in powerline corridors. For us, the Katahdin sheep breed fits our operation and our philosophy quite well. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Ewes have good mothering ability and lamb easily unassisted. I saw that the author is from Central Missouri, which is where we live. Though large in size, Hampshire sheep tend to be a docile and easy-going breed. Black color covers belly, inside legs and thighs and extends up to the neck. Westexas. Compared to other breeds, these sheep are relatively new, dating back to the 1950s. . let me know! It is now farmed in other areas as well, and is the second most common sheep breed in South Africa. I bottle fed him for three months and give him grain 2x a day, and free choice hay as well as pasture grass. Dorpers are theoretically better muscled, meatier carcass, faster growing, but we haven't seen that to be true. Keeping Boer Goats: 5 Biggest Disadvantages, 4 Best Places with Sheep for Sale in Missouri, They are easy to breed and commonly give birth to multiple lambs, They arent great for milk or wool production, They dont require shearing, tail docking, or crutching, Lambs take a little longer than some breeds to reach market weight. ByBasil Bactawar, UF/IFAS Duval County Extension Service. You will always need to make compromises if you choose to have a purebred flock. Now you have a good idea of the pros and cons of both Dorper and Katahdin sheep, which one is right for your homestead? 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). Like the Dorper, Dorset ewes are able to breed year-round and are not limited to a typical Fall/Winter breeding season. Thank so much for this information. What sheep breeds are best for meat? I cant speak to colder temperatures, taking zero degrees without a problem is good enough for me. A maternal breed, Katahdin ewes breed well with the Dorper rams to produce a meaty but feminine lamb. I have found that the Katahdin can be a little taller than many of the Dorper but then it will also depend on what bloodlines. Last but not least on our list is the Cheviot breed. The St. Croix breed is descended from the original West African hair sheep although some believe they are a cross breed of Criollo and Wiltshire White sheep. Forty-six Dorper, 46 Katahdin, and 43 St. Croix female sheep (initial BW of 58, 59, and 46 kg, respectively, SEM = 1.75; 3.3 0.18 yr of age, 2.6 - 3.7) from 45 commercial farms in four regions of the USA (Midwest, Northwest, Southeast, and central Texas) were used to evaluate responses to high heat load index (HLI) conditions in a central . Continue with Recommended Cookies. The outside temp is above 85* sheep are heaving and panting rapidly. It should be kept in mind that performance varies greatly with genetic, management, climate, etc. The Dorper originated in South Africa from crosses between the Dorset and the Blackhead Persian. Suffolk grow wool continuously, and will need to be sheared annually. These breeds are called hair sheep because the coat consists of hair more like that of cattle and many goats rather than wool. They are attentive, protective, and make excellent mothers. Ewes will weigh an average of 190 pounds, with rams reaching up to 300 pounds. Fact: While its true that Barbados and St. Croix are small animals (ewes 80-110 pounds), few commercial breeders raise them. After 22 years they are well rooted in South Paris. I used to want a Dorper cross over Katahdin but finally got to see the results of this cross and was not very impressed with the results. Weight Gain/Daily: 0.4 lbs daily with good nutrition. Lamb comes from a sheep under the age of 1 year old. 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.
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