Hair sheep breeds are growing in popularity as consumers look for economical ways to raise homestead meat animals. Some are calling these shedding sheep. I like the Dorper temperament, generally they are a pretty docile breed. Our grass-fed ewes normally go into the fall with a body score of 4-5, which makes flushing difficult: Adult Katahdin sheep can maintain themselves on poor quality forage that had our Romanovs literally skin and bones. The Katahdin sheep is listed as a Recovering heritage breed on the ALBC Conservation Priority List. We have a dispute between the members about feeding sheep after working them. Cole, N.A. Newbie trying to decide (Katahdin, Dorper, or St. Croix) Im sure by now you have an answer. I could always pick out the dorper/katahdin crosses. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. He can be reached at 585-554-3313 or by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com. Parasitol. A common lamb on good pasture will perform better than Super Lamb on poor pasture. While weve missed out on export sales the last several years because of retaining ewes to increase flock numbers, Mexican buyers will be coming by this spring. Cheviots are easy to breed, meeting a 90% lambing average without assistance. Dorper sheep are exceptionally popular amongst both hobbyists and commercial homesteads. my ewe with CL has had her first batch of lambs last month and she is a really good mother! J. Anim Sci 77:215-222. It is raised mainly for meat production. After lambing season, most of our sheep time is spent managing our pastures so that we can provide our animals with the best quality forage possible. In addition, shearing is not a requirement thereby reducing operational cost. Katahdin ewes weigh around 125-185 pounds, and rams average around 200 pounds. Ewes will weigh an average of 190 pounds, with rams reaching up to 300 pounds. They reach sexual maturity very early, with ewes able to breed between 7 to 9 months of age. Just like the Katahdin, you do not have to shear them as they shed their winter coat in the spring. Some European sheep genetics were incorporated into the African sheep to arrive at the existing hair breeds mentioned above. Suffolk ewes are excellent mothers and prolific breeders. To be successful, you must sell quality, and I stress quality animals; send anything else to slaughter. This breed averages in maturity at around 175 220 pounds. In terms of lambing, youll find Katahdins mostly give birth to multiple lambs. 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. If I took the chance and had her bred would she be able to carry her lamb/s? Ulf Kintzel owns and manages White Clover Sheep Farm (www.whitecloversheepfarm.com) in Rushville, NY where he breeds grass-fed White Dorper sheep. Non selective grazers that perform well under both extensive and intensive production systems. Photo courtesy of:Dr. Stephan A. Wildeus. Benefits of This Breed The Dorper are preferred for their excellent feed utilisation and conversion: they don't need shearing, crutching and mulesing, and they are disease resistant. Breeders often use less-expensive Katahdin ewes to initiate an upgrading program with registered Dorper as the final goal. These slaughter lambs sell comparable to pure Katahdin sheep per pound unless theyre full of cockleburs and briars. 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. 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. 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. No wool to deal with makes perfect economic sense. Tunis are solid breeders and excellent mothers. Can you advise on the availability of a good ram and 10-12 ewe lambs this Spring. Carefully breeding only the best stock will ensure that the extreme hardiness and good mothering ability remain. I'd go with Dorper ram on Katahdin ewes. You will want to take into account the mature size of the animal (you can expect to yield 40% of an animals live weight in meat), the quality of meat, and whether it will tolerate your climate. 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. The Barbados Blackbelly got its name because of the characteristic black belly on an otherwise red brown coat. 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. Katahdins tend to birth twins, with triplets and quadruplets occurring often with good flock management. The only things to consider include: The fact Katahdin sheep dont produce wool isnt necessarily a disadvantage. Our experienced ewes averaged 2.1 lambs/ewe born with 1.9 weaned. After slaughter, all thats left is hide, manure and stomach contents. Posted 11/18/2019 21:09 (#7854689) Subject: Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. The phrases youll hear most often is either mutton or lamb. They do produce wool, and will need to be shorn annually. Although they are one of the newest sheep breeds introduced in America, Katahdin sheep have quickly become a popular choice. They also do well eating the vegetation that other species reject. Tunis sheep are able to thrive in a variety of climates, and tolerate both heat and cold well. In winter puts on coat that is shed as temperatures increase. Bosnians want 60-pound animals while Muslims often prefer 60-80 pound animals. Some breeders have been working on crosses between traditional wool meat breeds and hair sheep breeds. Considered to be the 2nd most popular breed of sheep in the US, the Dorset sheep is another solid meat-producer. There are without a doubt breeds that surpass White Dorper sheep in one or the other trait. By John Kirchhoff For many people, mentioning hair sheep evokes either I wouldnt have anything else or a No way would I have them response. Lambing %: Approximately 125%, exceeding 200% with subsequent lambing. Crossing these breeds with woolen breeds for efficient meat production does hold some potential. My question is, how much should he weigh. The Cheviot sheep is best suited for northern, colder climates, and does not tolerate heat as well. . If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Katahdin Sheep - MAD-KETTLE FARM - KATAHDIN SHEEP AND DEXTER CATTLE Dorper's are by far the closest hair sheep to the wool breed. Katahdin x Lacaune. 1. (A friend with Polypay and Katahdin sheep has had the same experience. 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. Vet. I recently purchased 4 ram lambs for meat. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Extremely reactive to dogs and cats usually as though they wish to flee. Sheep are one of the most versatile producers when it comes to livestock animals. They do produce wool, and will need to be shorn annually. After 22 years they are well rooted in South Paris. They have less subcutaneous fat on average and are a bit leaner because there is less feathering in the muscles. As one of the most populous sheep breeds in America, the Suffolk is a popular choice for meat producers. You can even crossbreed them to develop unique varieties for your farm or homestead. I raise all my sheep and lambs strictly on pasture and feed no grain whatsoever. Q. Unlike meat goats, hair sheep are resistant to many of the parasites shed by cattle. Feeding Practices in Sheep - Merck Veterinary Manual Dorper Sheep: Characteristics, Origin & Uses - ROYS FARM Dorper-sired. Ten percent of sheep breeds are hair breeds but ninety percent of these are found in tropical areas. I have some St Croix and they are quite large. Thanks, Noela. ( From Buckler Farms near Granville TN) His mom is at least 50% dorper and Katahdin. Signatures of selection in sheep and goats infected with Haemonchus Reaching maturity earlier than many breeds, the Suffolk lamb will reach an average of 116 pounds by 100 days of age. This information is important to producers and extension agents with an interest in hair sheep. We both work off thefarm; therefore time is a commodity in short supply. The shedding ability of this breed varies greatly. 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. For several years weve had Romanov/Katahdin crosses. In a second study, Dorper or Dorset sired lambs were compared to Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix or Katahdin lambs. The breed is actually very good for meat production, and it produce more meat than Dorper and Katahdin sheep. Dorper Vs Katadhin Sheep: Which Is Better For Your Farm? 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 is a native of Germany and lives in the US since 1995. 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. Hair Sheep Breeds - The Right Choice for You? - Countryside Thanks, I am considering starting a small Dorper and or Katahdin herd to raise meat for the Western New York market. I cant speak to colder temperatures, taking zero degrees without a problem is good enough for me. 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. The Dorper carcass has a good conformation and fat distribution. Ewes with young lambs show protective behavior and may raise front feet to strike dogs and cats when confronted. Are Llamas Dangerous? 199 Effects of high heat load conditions on Dorper, Katahdin, and St 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. Sales at the 2022 mid America Dorper Show nearly broke $1 MILLION with the top Dorper ewe bringing $20,000 and ram $12,800. They were called Africans at the time. Although the breed was created in the 1930s, it is still fairly new to the US. For more on the differences, plus potential pros and cons between the breeds, read on. Though not year-round breeders, Tunis often breed out of season, with the occasional lamb (or two) born in late Summer / Fall. The Dorper has been very effective in increasing the growth rate, carcass size and quality of all the typical hair-type breeds such a the Barbados, Katahdin, St. Croix, the Mexican Pelibuey and other breeds that are considered exotic types. This information may be used to compare breeds of hair sheep. There are a few characteristics you will want to look for when choosing a meat-producing sheep. 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. And does anyone have experience with katahdin ewes on dorper bucks . In our operation, that sheep breed is the Katahdin sheep. This is not a true hair sheep. Dorset ewes weigh approximately 150-200 pounds, with the rams weighing on average 275 pounds. 7 year old Katahdin ewe . I bottle fed him for three months and give him grain 2x a day, and free choice hay as well as pasture grass. Royal Whites are more recent in the hair sheep scene and development is still ongoing. Dorset sheep have lean and muscular carcasses, making them excellent at producing meat. Some Ideas About Crossbreeding Sheep | Oklahoma State University Hi currently running flock of 600. or you can contact me at- Being aware of the pros and cons of each breed will help you to make a better-informed decision over which one is right for your setup. We feel that our time must be used where it will improve our operation, rather than maintaining status quo. Lambs can also take a little longer to reach their market weight than some other breeds of sheep. 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. This may or may not be the case in other states. They are prolific breeders as well, often producing twins. Breeding Season: They breed throughout the year. Ewe's Dorper/Katahdin Cross | Mysite However, if thats what you are looking for then this breed might not be for you. Sold all our cattle. Dorper Vs Katadhin Sheep: Which is better for your homestead? My Dorper ram is not really large but he is bigger than her. It is now farmed in other areas as well, and is the second most common sheep breed in South Africa. Due to its heavily muscled carcass, the Texel sheep is a very popular meat breed. Market Weight/Live/Age: 70 90 lbs / 7 8 months. Culling the genetic faults and only keeping the best rams for breeding will ensure a good future for any new hair sheep breeds. Some of the main pros of keeping Katahdin sheep include: Katahdin sheep are one of the easiest breeds of sheep to care for. 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). Because of their hair, they do not produce the lanolin that can lend gaminess to the meat, giving it a milder flavor. This composite "easy-care" breed was developed from crosses of African hair sheep and a variety of wool breeds with selection for a hair coat, prolificacy, and conformation. All Rights Reserved | Website by Maple Creative, buildwithmaple.com. As they say, the proof is in the pudding eating. Katahdin Sheep work very well in a variety of production situations as a low-maintenance, easy care sheep. Although the breed was created in the 1930s, it is still fairly new to the US. The first rams I purchased were of outstanding shedding ability. Some of the ancestors of these breeds originated in Africa and were brought to the Caribbean Islands, Central America and northern South America during the 18th and 19th century. What Needle Felting Supplies Do You Use for Sculpting? Katahdin Sheep - Kiko and Boer Goats We let them be sheep and just help them along. 2022 Cornell Small Farms. Manage Settings WHY I DON'T RAISE ST. CROIX SHEEP | DORPER vs. ST. CROIX as Meat Breeds If you consider hairsheep like White Dorpers in the future dont forget to ask the breeder about the shedding ability of their flock! Are Llamas Dangerous? 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. (I know, Im not a good farmer) Arguments exist concerning the exact origin of the Barbados Blackbelly evidence is shown for both Africa or Barbados. As a bit of trivia, the majority of cull ewes the U.S. exports go to the Mexico City area. The entire belly is black including areas between the legs, nose and forehead. When the price of raw wool fleece is below the cost of shearing the animal, this is not cost effective. My friend also mentioned his Katahdin-Dorper lambs are much fatter when born than Polypays. The Kasteel White Dorper Stud farm lies in an arid area of the Republic of South Africa, called the Great Karoo. The Dorper and the Katahdin were derived from very different types of hair sheep. To appeal to ethnic buyers, it often requires a change in flock management. As mentioned earlier, theres no price discount for Katahdin sheep or Dorper sheep in central Missouri. Royal White (Dorper x St.Croix) 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. I have a pet ram lamb, texel dorset cross I was told. They are hardy and do well in range. Environmental Adaptability:They are adaptable to all climates. 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. One needs to do a detail review of the information related to the hair breed one wishes to raise.
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