Good luck! Crossbred individuals tend to be more vigorous, more fertile . 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. Sheep for sale: young grass-fed butcher ram lambs (Dorper & Katahdin) Good set of ewes. The trend is now reversed. Ultimate Guide. The ancestry is believed to be of both African hair sheep and European breeds. They can provide you with information pertaining to regulations, health requirements and local export brokers. I have some St Croix and they are quite large. Im sure by now you have an answer. They grow quickly and reach market weight early. I would never go back to merinos & do not intend having cattle again, My dorper sheep have been lambing only male lambs..i do not know why there are no females being born9males so far..no females. Hampshire sheep can live in almost any climate, making them a hardy breed. We began our Katahdin Sheep herd with non-registered sheep but have added registered Katahdin ewes to our farm. The coat is a mixture of hair and wool and will shed from animal in late spring/early summer. Dorper lambs tolerated the infection more so than Suffolk (wool) lambs when fecal egg counts were low. Like the Dorper, Dorset ewes are able to breed year-round and are not limited to a typical Fall/Winter breeding season. Half of the group thinks it is okay to feed hot sheep, the other half disagrees. 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. This breed was developed after 20 years of breeding and selection. Technical Abstract: 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. Coat & Color: Coat can be any color or color pattern. Katahdin meat tends to be leaner than many other breeds. They are hardy and do well in range. The first rams I purchased were of outstanding shedding ability. The phrases youll hear most often is either mutton or lamb. We currently manage between 45-60 ewes per year with about 70% of our flock being registered. Did you know that Dorper sheep dont need to be sheared? Most Muslims prefer intact ram lambs without tails being docked. 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. The Dorper and the Katahdin were derived from very different types of hair sheep. They naturally shed their wool throughout the seasons. He can be reached at 585-554-3313 or by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com. Grazing animals put on weight quickly in preparation for the long winters. Average Birth Weight (Lbs): 7.5 lbs for single, 6.5 7 for twins, and less for triplets. It is more flighty than Dorper, Kathadin and St. Croix breeds. That's interesting! Origin: This breed was developed or evolved on the Eastern Caribbean Island of Barbados. Many Greeks eat lamb for Easter, which is not always the same date as the traditional Easter. 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. Now meat sheep producers are lucky if wool prices cover . In 2001, my friend with Polypay paid $2 to shear $.50 worth of wool per animal. for info and videos along with books and much more! When comparing weights, keep in mind we live in north central Missouri. It should be kept in mind that performance varies greatly with genetic, management, climate, etc. We also sell breeding stock locally. What is the Ideal Weight for a Market Lamb? - Cornell Small Farms Just remember that Dorpers do have multiple births.. we raise some dorpers and they start off with the first time lambing with twins then after that triplets. its ok to wean the lamb as soon as possible. the last time the ewe had triplets she would not take care of the tiny black one but at first she did.. but my husband ended up bottle feeding the last one born. The Dorper carcass has a good conformation and fat distribution. The carcass of the Cheviot tends to be plump and meaty, with just enough fat to produce a succulent meat. The saving grace are our Dorpers. 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. Get Shipping Quotes Opens in a new tab. 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. Hi Qazi, If you plan on going into the meat production business, its important to know the difference between types of sheep meat. FLAVOR Choosing breeding stock with this in mind can avoid this problem. Breed ideal for pasture lambing and grass/forage based management systems. The percentage of 15/16 is considered purebred. How often do dorpers have breeding problems and we will then have to pull the lambs? We currently have about 100 ewes. A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. J. Anim Sci 77:215-222. Bosnians want 60-pound animals while Muslims often prefer 60-80 pound animals. (Icelandic sheep grow a double coat.) They are prolific breeders as well, often producing twins. I would say try the dorpers.. we only raise a few for there is only us out here. If you have space to corral a few sheep, you can fill the freezer with a healthy alternative to beef and chicken. Feeding these breeds too much grain can result in an overabundance of internal fat. Some European sheep genetics were incorporated into the African sheep to arrive at the existing hair breeds mentioned above. Instead, I get raving reports back and I never seem to have enough market lambs to make everyone happy. Katahdins have generated a great deal of interest from all parts of North America. Photo courtesy of: Dr. Stephan A. Wildeus. Non selective grazers that perform well under both extensive and intensive production systems. Some general information on hair sheep is found on the next page. Hair sheep dont bring as much on the slaughter market. Katahdin sheep will strip the bark from cedars, pines and any deciduous tree that has smooth, immature bark. Just weaned 530 lambs .If we can get some weight on them worth $200+ in current market. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 70 -120, Ram = 110 140. Your email address will not be published. His father Barley ( in picture behind him) is a full blooded Dorper. Our young Katahdins can be difficult to move. The breeder from whom I purchased the lambs said she is breeding in dorper with the katahdins to "beef" them up a little. Dorper-sired. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 100 130, Ram = 120 150. Two varieties of Dorper Sheep were created: the black headed Dorper and an all white variety, the White Dorper sheep. He is a native of Germany and lives in the US since 1995. Blackbellys often breed easily and well, usually birthing multiple lambs in one breeding. Ewe's Dorper/Katahdin Cross | Mysite 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. You can overcome this by making sure your walls are high enough, and that there is nothing in their enclosure that they can climb onto. I have a pet ram lamb, texel dorset cross I was told. These breeds are called hair sheep because the coat consists of hair more like that of cattle and many goats rather than wool. Hello! This is a very good article to read and understand the secrets of Raising Katahdin Sheep. To be successful, you must sell quality, and I stress quality animals; send anything else to slaughter. They like large groups of lambs on each farm, prefer solid colors, registered and must be enrolled in the scrapie program. . The Katahdin breed was developed in the United States by Michael Piel. (Weve heard them all.). Dorper sheep have a distinctive appearance: black heads and white bodies. I have a black face ewe and she is very fat and is 7 months old, should I be worried about her having a lamb and is she old enough to get in lamb. This breed is also exceptionally hardy, able to thrive in both the cold, and the hot, humid climates in which many farmers struggle to. To learn more about how you can make money off of sheep, read my article What Do Sheep Produce? But the pasture littered with wool as I had feared just did not happen. 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. There are many great options for meat-producing sheep. including sheepamong them an extra-special Dorper-Katahdin lamb named Mopple. Though large in size, Hampshire sheep tend to be a docile and easy-going breed. Dorper sheep are exceptionally popular amongst both hobbyists and commercial homesteads. Suffolk grow wool continuously, and will need to be sheared annually. Their main advantage is that they adapt well to hot humid climate where woolen breeds do not thrive well. They require less worming medications as a general rule. Feeding Practices in Sheep - Merck Veterinary Manual Two weeks later, the ewes hadnt lost any body condition. How about Field Corn! Hope this helps! This is not a true hair sheep. Weight Gain/Daily: 0.4 lbs daily with good nutrition. I forgot to ask for notification via e-mail, so I am reposting my questions. We prefer using forage to produce lambs rather than wool. I think that we are asking for bloat. Like most of the sheep listed here, Texel lambs reach market size quickly, by 5-6 months.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'savvyfarmlife_com-leader-2','ezslot_10',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-savvyfarmlife_com-leader-2-0'); With an extended breeding season of nearly 5 months, Texel sheep are prolific breeders. Dorpers grow a combination of hair and wool, and shed naturally meaning no shearing is required. Hair coat becomes thick and long as cold weather sets in and the length decreases. Best guess is he is 175-200 lbs. 7/8th exhibit all the traits of purebreds like out-of-season breeding and even many 3/4 look like purebred and shed as well. If my product would be poorly finished or wouldnt taste good, I surely would lose customers. Katahdins are awesome and productive mothers plus they are a very hardy breed and the Dorper will put more size on the meat sheep. One in particular is more like a paint horse. In lambs, grain feeding versus grass-fed has a greater influence on flavor than the differences in breeds. Good milkers, and is suggested not to wean lambs before three months. Are Llamas Dangerous? In Canada, Katahdin sheep commonly gain well over a pound per day. Required fields are marked *. Hair sheep breeds are growing in popularity as consumers look for economical ways to raise homestead meat animals. The Katahdin sheep is listed as a Recovering heritage breed on the ALBC Conservation Priority List. 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. Katahdins tend to birth twins, with triplets and quadruplets occurring often with good flock management. What You Need To Know. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 120 - 160, Ram = 180 250. Though not year-round breeders, Tunis often breed out of season, with the occasional lamb (or two) born in late Summer / Fall. Sheep are like lawnmowers, while goats are more like Bush Hogs (for the uninitiated, that's the brand name for a machine designed to clear heavy brush). I have a very small Dorper ewe, she is 7 months old but very small. http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/Accursed/Smileys/waiting-bored-waiting-boy-smiley-em.gif, Birthing, Weaning, and Raising Young Sheep. Twice a year my friend with Polypays shows up at work doubled over as he shuffles around in pain. We let them be sheep and just help them along. It is also well established that heavy grain feeding does not suit these medium sized sheep since they thrive on so little. 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. keep checking it out! Vet. View Details. With a high rate of multiple births and a gentle temperament, this is a good choice for people looking to start a hair sheep business, particularly in warm climates. Katahdins often breeding out of season. Some of the main pros of keeping Katahdin sheep include: Katahdin sheep are one of the easiest breeds of sheep to care for. If you are interested in bringing a herd of small livestock to your homestead, you will want to look into both sheep and goats. When the pastures are poor, hair animals hold their body condition much better. Typically, the 75 percent Dorper crosses will exhibit the Dorper coloration and conformation. Crossing these breeds with woolen breeds for efficient meat production does hold some potential. So, what about littering the pasture with wool? 1999. While there are far fewer cons than there are pros for keeping Dorper sheep, you do need to consider the potential downsides. Katahdin ewes weigh around 125-185 pounds, and rams average around 200 pounds. 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. 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. This information may be used to compare breeds of hair sheep. The only problem with colesterol is that the big pharma found a new drug to sell. The entire belly is black including areas between the legs, nose and forehead. Quite a few meat producers are finding better success with the hair breeds of meat sheep than with meat goats. 13 Hair Sheep Breeds You Should Know About - The Homesteading Hippy Why Katahdin Sheep - stoneheartfarm Mexicans prefer a larger lamb, and let nothing go to waste. The purpose of the breed is to efficiently produce meat. We have all three breeds. They do produce wool, and will need to be shorn annually. Katatdin x Dorper . Forty-six Dorper, 46 Katahdin, and 43 St. Croix female sheep from four regions of the USA were used to evaluate responses to high heat load index (HLI) conditions. Very tolerant of the humid hot conditions in the Carribean andSomolia, Blackhead Persians have a white body and black head. You can find out more about lambing Dorper sheep through the American Dorper Sheep Breeders Society. Dorset ewes weigh approximately 150-200 pounds, with the rams weighing on average 275 pounds. The main differences between these two breeds are the colors available, and what they can be used for. 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. They will definitely get too fat. They reach sexual maturity very early, with ewes able to breed between 7 to 9 months of age. Environmental Adaptability: Well adapted to hot, dry, humid and wet conditions. The Katahdins in the study had a consistently less barber pole worm infestation rate compared to the Dorper and Dorset crosses. Work with your states department of agriculture if youre interested in export sales. Theyre too small to be of commercial value. As a result, the Katahdin is the most common hair sheep in America. And some shed one year but not totally the next for no apparent reason at all. I really like all three breeds. Katahdin sheep and Dorper are bred as meat sheep breeds. Although they are one of the newest sheep breeds introduced in America, Katahdin sheep have quickly become a popular choice. The breed was created by crossing Dorset and Blackheaded Persian 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 .
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