This breed is also exceptionally hardy, able to thrive in both the cold, and the hot, humid climates in which many farmers struggle to. Katahdins often breeding out of season. Average Birth Weight (Lbs): 7.5 lbs for single, 6.5 7 for twins, and less for triplets. This information may be used to compare breeds of hair sheep. People converting to hair sheep breeds all notice certain things. BREEDING DORPER SHEEP However, since Dorpers can also be found further North in colder climates, I am sure that a lack of winter hardiness is not a trait applying to Dorper sheep. However, Texel sheep breed strongly seasonal, are heat sensitive, have at times problems lambing due to the broad head and shoulders, and they need shearing. Nitrogen retention by lambs fed oscillating dietary protein concentrations. Blackbellys often breed easily and well, usually birthing multiple lambs in one breeding. Twice a year my friend with Polypays shows up at work doubled over as he shuffles around in pain. Our young Katahdins can be difficult to move. How often do dorpers have breeding problems and we will then have to pull the lambs? Originating in South Africa, these lovable and attractive sheep tend to come with a lot more pros than cons. I am trying to locate a couple of nice ewe lambs now. Hi Joanne. The Dorper is a good example of this interbreeding. University of South Dakota research found it requires 250-300 pounds of dry matter forage to produce each pound of wool. Originally, the established buyers at auctions resisted hairsheep in general and they fetched lower prices in places like New Holland. Yes, you can milk Dorper sheep! Just a little more "stingy" than the Dorper (and I am talking more for working them with dogs). Crossing these breeds with woolen breeds for efficient meat production does hold some potential. The mild and yet rich flavor of these culled ewes is remarkable and does not at all remind anyone of mutton. Myth #2: Hair sheep don't bring as much on the slaughter market. This site is owned and operated by Wild Wire Media, LLC. Some are calling these shedding sheep. 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. What happens if you leave the ram out all year round? The ability of this breed to put grass into weight gain is remarkable. Lambing %: Lambing rates vary from 150% to 250% with 3 lambing every 2 years not uncommon. Most Muslims prefer intact ram lambs without tails being docked. Im very new here currently living in Virginia. While both breeds are exceptionally popular in the US, there are some differences between the two. 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. Owning Goats vs. Sheep I would also be interested in bred young ewes. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Their hair falls off naturally during the year, making them an easy breed to care for. 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. Many ethnic groups want a much different lamb or goat than has been marketed in the past. There are three main reasons to raise hair sheep. Origin: Developed in the Virgin Islands for crosses of West African hair sheep and Wiltshire Horn. Average weight for the Cheviot is 130 175 pounds. Just weaned 530 lambs .If we can get some weight on them worth $200+ in current market. I have no way of weighing him. For instance, they have extended breeding season, and can be used to produce lambs to be marketed when lamb prices are usually high thereby reducing marketing risks. He can be reached at 585-554-3313 or by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com. Katahdins are docile, medium-sized sheep; ewes weigh 125 to 185 pounds, rams 180 to 250 pounds. Dorper-sired. However, they all shed around the belly, legs, head, and all the other places that would otherwise prolong shearing. Did you know that Dorper sheep dont need to be sheared? This breed produces rapid-growing lambs, with most lambs being considered ready for market at 12 weeks of age. This breed was developed after 20 years of breeding and selection. They are hardy and do well in range. These are some of the best reasons to raise Katahdin sheep - though the list is by no means exhaustive! Your email address will not be published. Mostly Katahdin hair ewes exposed to Dorper and Katahdin bucks. Hampshire sheep can live in almost any climate, making them a hardy breed. 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 Dorper has a high rate of lambing and is tolerant of the arid conditions it was developed for in South Africa. Hairbreeds have many positive traits that make them an ideal animal for small farms, homesteads, and of course, larger commercial farms. Thanks, Noela. Some general information on hair sheep is found on the next page. To learn more about how you can make money off of sheep, read my article What Do Sheep Produce? They also benefit from a long productive life, giving you maximum bang for your buck. Can someone tell me a few of the pros and cons for both dorper sand katahdin. The Katahdin breed is an easy to care for, meat type sheep, naturally tolerant of climatic extremes and capable of high performance in a wide variety of environments. Dorset lambs, like the Suffolk and Dorper, mature quickly and are market-ready earlier than many other breeds. In years past, 18-30 pound lambs sold well in Chicago for Jewish Passover. The ewes are also heavy milkers with excellent maternal instincts. It should be kept in mind that performance varies greatly with genetic . . Have good flocking instinct. These White Dorper female replacement lambs already look very much like purebred White Dorpers Photographer: Ulf Kintzel. How about Field Corn! For specific questions, please contact the author. This, alongside their easy-going dietary needs, really cut down the cost of keeping them. My friend used to manage a flock of purebreds of both breeds and crosses. We let them be sheep and just help them along. Suffolk meat is hailed as lean and somewhat sweet, with a good muscle to fat ratio. Some of the main pros of keeping Katahdin sheep include: Katahdin sheep are one of the easiest breeds of sheep to care for. The shedding process may take some getting used to but will not litter your pasture with wool Photographer: Ulf Kintzel. I had on occasion lambs butchered that exceeded 110 pounds. Katahdin ewes weigh around 125-185 pounds, and rams average around 200 pounds. They also do well eating the vegetation that other species reject. Several Polypay owners in the area worm all animals 6-8 times during the summer and still lose animals to stomach worms. Coat & Color: Solid white or white with black head. Katahdins are awesome and productive mothers plus they are a very hardy breed and the Dorper will put more size on the meat sheep. While Hampshire sheep are seasonal breeders, they tend to have a longer breeding season than others. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 130 140 (Average is 136), Ram = 170 - 200. Rams generally have horns. I could always pick out the dorper/katahdin crosses. We both work off thefarm; therefore time is a commodity in short supply. They were an excellent choice for this as they seldom bothered the pine trees. Katahdin Sheep work very well in a variety of production situations as a low-maintenance, easy care sheep. They can provide you with information pertaining to regulations, health requirements and local export brokers. This behavior causes problems with maintaining desirable trees unless protection is provided. We have just over 1200 breeding ewes & aim for around 2000 when things get better. I have a very small Dorper ewe, she is 7 months old but very small. 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. But the dorpers always have say ten % that need shearing still. Breeding Season: They breed throughout the year. 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. Bred to produce less back fat, their meat is lean and flavorful. Some Ewes shed coats after second lambing. 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. It is a very hardy breed and is disease resistant. If ewes are fed well, lambing rate approaches the higher end. While it is estimated that hair sheep comprise only 10 percent of the world's sheep population, their numbers are growing, especially in temperate climates like the United States. We have a dispute between the members about feeding sheep after working them. There is a growing market demand for high-quality, naturally-fed lamb. Due to their superior conformation and shedding characteristics, they have become one of the most popular breeds of sheep in the U.S. marina@mgdorpers.com. There were sequential 2-wk. What You Need To Know. Unlike meat goats, hair sheep are resistant to many of the parasites shed by cattle. Now you have a good idea of the pros and cons of both Dorper and Katahdin sheep, which one is right for your homestead? Three ewes needed assistance lambing (one got it, the other two didnt and lost their lambs), one of which was 8 years old. Despite being a hairsheep, White Dorpers do not lack winter hardiness Photographer: Ulf Kintzel. It is also exceptionally low-maintenance. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. When the price of raw wool fleece is below the cost of shearing the animal, this is not cost effective. 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 . The breeds of hair sheep that are of importance in Florida include Katahdin, St. Croix, American Blackbelly, and Barbados Blackbelly. In our city the sheep are raised very much because the grass is still fertile, Kita wajib menjaga kesuburan tanaman agar domba bisa makan dengan cukup dan bisa berkembang biak dengan baik oleh peternak, In addition to the delicious meat, lamb can also be made of skin for a high-value jacket material, Dorper Sheep: Truths and Myths Tempat jasa sablon kaos murah Kaos sablon Bandung Pusat tempat Pembuatan Kaos sablon Baju Distro di Bandung Konveksi Buat Kaos Kelas Reuni Polo Bandung kawasan Jakarta pusat Berkualitas cetak Screen Printing sablon Digital Custom manual Rubber Plastisol komunitas Reuni Jaket satuan grosiran Kemeja ~ Alamat Tempat Sablon Kaos. But the pasture littered with wool as I had feared just did not happen. The St Croix are also quiet, but seem to be next on the ladder. 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. I'll be using my Barbados Blackbelly ram on my BB ewes and also a few Kathadin ewes. Hair sheep primer . 2022 Cornell Small Farms. That applies to purebred WD market lambs as well. The Blackhead Persian is a fat-rumped hair breed from the arid lands of the Middle East. It may not display this or other websites correctly. 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. The Royal White produces more mea t than Katahdin sheep and Dorper sheep. To properly flush a ewe, she should be on an upward nutritional plane and gaining weight. Carefully breeding only the best stock will ensure that the extreme hardiness and good mothering ability remain. The Kasteel White Dorper Stud farm lies in an arid area of the Republic of South Africa, called the Great Karoo. Market Weight/Live/Age: 110 lbs / 7 8 months, Professional Horticulture and Pest Services, Breed Directory- American Sheep Industry Association, Hair Sheep Production and Marketing Including Some Breeds, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, 1010 N. McDuff Avenue Coat & Color: Coat can be any color or color pattern. I direct sell a great number of lambs. This is down to the fantastic range of benefits they deliver. It is raised mainly for meat production. To appeal to ethnic buyers, it often requires a change in flock management. If you are interested in bringing a herd of small livestock to your homestead, you will want to look into both sheep and goats. They are excellent foragers. . All Rights Reserved | Website by Maple Creative, buildwithmaple.com. His website address is www.whitecloversheepfarm.com. American Blackbelly In lambs, grain feeding versus grass-fed has a greater influence on flavor than the differences in breeds. Ewes weight approximately 200 pounds, and rams average out to around 260 pounds. Environmental Adaptability: Tolerant of both high and low temperatures. How do you collect wool from self-shearing sheep? A type of hair breed, Katahdin sheep originate in the United States. I have some St Croix and they are quite large. 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. The other half needed shearing. They also have a fat rump, short legs, and a compact body. Hair sheep breeds simply shed their hair covering and fleecy undercoat when the weather warms. They are excellent mothers. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 120 - 160, Ram = 180 250. The Katahdin and the St Croix give the dogs a little more run for their money, but they are not silly and bounce off fences like some other breeds can even with a lot of handling. As you can see in picture Spike has some tiny horn buds; they have never grown . An older, fat sheep is likely where the reputation of nasty mutton comes from. The only things to consider include: The fact Katahdin sheep dont produce wool isnt necessarily a disadvantage. Vigorous growers, the Icelandic produce lambs that are market-ready at 70-100 pounds in as little as 4-5 months. Keep reading to learn more about the best sheep breeds for meat. 3 year old Dorper Katahdin Ram. The phrases youll hear most often is either mutton or lamb. The Katahdan tend to be a little more "active", in general not quite as docile, though many would disagree but they are still quiet. Feel free to contact the author, Ulf Kintzel, at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com for further information. I have seen many Dorper X Katahdins which are small and the only sign they have Dorper in them is the fact that they have black heads, if they had been crossed with a white Dorper, one would assume that there was no Dorper in there at all. My Dorper ram is not really large but he is bigger than her. Dorper lambs tolerated the infection more so than Suffolk (wool) lambs when fecal egg counts were low. For registered breeding stock, permanent wooly fibers are a no-no. As they say, the proof is in the pudding eating. Produce large amount of milk. These include: The fact Dorper sheep are easy to breed is a huge advantage. ( From Buckler Farms near Granville TN) His mom is at least 50% dorper and Katahdin. This article first appeared in the May/June 2010 Hobby Farms. 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. Two weeks later, the ewes hadnt lost any body condition. Generally, hair breeds are more heat tolerant than wool breeds. my ewe with CL has had her first batch of lambs last month and she is a really good mother! Dorset ewes weigh approximately 150-200 pounds, with the rams weighing on average 275 pounds. Hi Mary. ), In fall 2000, we grazed our flock on cocklebur and waterhemp that followed an oat crop. (I know, Im not a good farmer) Market Weight/Live/Age: 80 110 lbs / 5.5 6 months. At lower latitudes (down south), summer daylight periods are shorter, the temperature higher, grass growth is slower and is lower in protein and higher fiber. In fact, when we have pot roast from a culled ewe I can still fool my wife into thinking we had lamb for dinner. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'savvyfarmlife_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',106,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-savvyfarmlife_com-leader-1-0');Katahdins are a popular meat breed for sheep farmers. The Dorper carcass has a good conformation and fat distribution. It was bred from West African hair sheep and is extremely well-adapted to hot, humid conditions. Also, much of the flavor ( good or bad) comes from the fat. If you plan on going into the meat production business, its important to know the difference between types of sheep meat. Weve found that while genetics play an important role in weight gains, flock management, parasite control, forage quality and forage availability seem to be more important when it comes to the bottom line. Katahdin ewes weigh around 125-185 pounds, and rams average around 200 pounds. When the weathers hot and the pastures are dry, their wool animals will be under a tree while the hair animals are out grazing. This may or may not be the case in other states. Four years ago we began converting all our cropland into pasture and expanded the flock. I can only put this down to past genetics. They also tend to be highly mobile, which means they will climb on top of anything. Thanks, I am considering starting a small Dorper and or Katahdin herd to raise meat for the Western New York market. Are Llamas Dangerous? Feed conversion is good since these sheep fatten easily on less than ideal pasture and forage. Very interesting and informational! Have been buying in feed since the start of 2018. Hampshire sheep have a muscular and stocky build, and are comparative to the Suffolk in size. Some breeders have been working on crosses between traditional wool meat breeds and hair sheep breeds. Katahdins often breeding out of season. Nick. "Dorper sheep are barrel-shaped with a well-muscled back end. This is a very good article to read and understand the secrets of Raising Katahdin Sheep. In our operation, that sheep breed is the Katahdin sheep. I sell a lot of culled ewes as roasts, ground meat, stew meat and various sausages. I saw that the author is from Central Missouri, which is where we live. Fourteen years ago my wife got into the sheep business when she purchased three registered Katahdin ewes, a ram, and later, three Romanov ewes. Katahdins are alert, protective mothers. While many of the characteristics hair animals possess appeal to the hobby flock owner, we expect an animal to make us money; if it doesnt, its gone. 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. Often, when a new breed or type is rising in popularity, careful breeding can fall to the wayside in the haste to have stock to sell. Dorset ewes weigh approximately 150-200 pounds, with the rams weighing on average 275 pounds. They also are not limited to a breeding season, conceiving year round. We just started raising Katahdins this year. Between their size and their courage, llamas may seem intimidating at first. Ulf owns and operates White Clover Sheep Farm and breeds and raises grass-fed White Dorper sheep and Kiko goats without any grain feeding and offers breeding stock suitable for grazing. Two varieties of Dorper Sheep were created: the black headed Dorper and an all white variety, the White Dorper sheep. The Katahdin hair sheep is the fastest growing breed in the United States. The breed was created by crossing Dorset and Blackheaded Persian sheep. or you can contact me at- As wild sheep were domesticated, breeding for increased wool came into practice. We also sell breeding stock locally. (Grabbing a Romanov thats been walking through cockleburs is like wrestling with a 130-pound cocklebur.). Hair coat becomes thick and long as cold weather sets in and the length decreases. Sheep will eat woody vegetation but prefer grass and weeds on the ground. 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." This breed is adaptable and can live in many different climates. mantap ! I raise all my sheep and lambs strictly on pasture and feed no grain whatsoever. The Gayogoh:n are members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign Nations with a historic and contemporary presence on this land. Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. I recently purchased 4 ram lambs for meat. Thank you. Well, at least Katahdins, St Croix and barbs. As hair sheep breeds become more popular, it will be important for breeders to ensure the future integrity of the breeds. 2 are Katahdin and 2 are katahdin/dorper crosses. Hi Qazi, The Katahdin is another great dual-purpose breed, producing on average 210 liters of milk per 210 day cycle. They are the generally more fertile in hot humid regions and show greater tolerance to parasites than woolen breeds. (Icelandic sheep grow a double coat.) Weight Gain/Daily: 1 pound under intensive production. Katahdins are a popular meat breed for sheep farmers. ByBasil Bactawar, UF/IFAS Duval County Extension Service. 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. He is 8 months old. Katahdin x Lacaune. The Dorper originated in South Africa from crosses between the Dorset and the Blackhead Persian. 1. Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. Royal White (Dorper x St.Croix) To learn more about baby sheep, check out my article Baby Sheep: What a Baby Sheep is Called & Other Fun Facts. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. What is worse, however, is the fact that there are breeders who do not select for shedding ability and for the show ring instead. Grading up to Dorper. If you combine all traits I have not found a better breed for a farming system based on pasture and direct marketing. In 1975 Utah State University imported a small flock of Virgin Island White which is the basis for the present St. Croix breed in North America. Our paddocks are grazed for 5-7 days followed by 25-34 days of . Milk replacers should be fed at 10%-20% of the lamb's body weight, divided into 4-6 feedings/day during the first week of life. The Katahdin sheep breed was developed in Maine to help clear brush in powerline corridors. No difference was noted between the purebred breeds of hair sheep. They were significantly more reasonably priced and for practical matters were the same. ~Ann, Your email address will not be published. Not only do they suffer fewer complications during birthing compared to some other breeds, but they also give birth to multiple lambs.