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. One of the oldest breeds of sheep, the Tunis is still a favorite breed for meat production. 3 year old Dorper Katahdin Ram - farm & garden - by owner - sale A ewes wool will pay her winter feed bill. Our paddocks are grazed for 5-7 days followed by 25-34 days of . We may be partial to the breed, but were not raising a hobby flock. 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. 199 Effects of high heat load conditions on Dorper, Katahdin, and St Katahdin Dorper The Dorper is a mutton breed of hair sheep developed in the 1930s. Now meat sheep producers are lucky if wool prices cover . The breed is famous in the United States for its high performance and low maintenance. Two varieties of Dorper Sheep were created: the black headed Dorper and an all white variety, the White Dorper sheep. Lambing %: Average lambing rate is between 150 and 250%. As far as winter hardiness is concerned, I have my sheep out in zero degree weather. The leather from hair sheep grain is finer than the leather from wool breeds and brings in a larger amount of money. Of the ewe lambs exposed, 95 percent gave birth at the age of 11-13 months. He is 8 months old. The low maintenance qualities of Katahdins allow us the time to do so. This spring we had an overall lambing average of 1.9 lambs/ewe born with 1.7 lambs weaned. 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. This, alongside their easy-going dietary needs, really cut down the cost of keeping them. I'll be using my Barbados Blackbelly ram on my BB ewes and also a few Kathadin ewes. Rams generally have horns. Our flock is managed through pasture rotation from April until late December. Newbie trying to decide (Katahdin, Dorper, or St. Croix) Average weight for the Cheviot is 130 175 pounds. 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). More on that subject later. In addition, there is almost no incidence of flystrike with hair sheep breeds. Katahdin ewes weigh around 125-185 pounds, and rams average around 200 pounds. 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. However, as the challenge escalated, parasite resistance was greatest in St. Croix lambs, followed by Katahdin and Dorper lambs. Like most of the sheep listed here, Texel lambs reach market size quickly, by 5-6 months. While Dorper sheep are considered a hair breed, Ive found a large number have quite a bit of wool or curly fibers in their coat. We have a dispute between the members about feeding sheep after working them. Mating season for Suffolk sheep usually happens in the Autumn or Winter of each year, as it is for most sheep breeds. These are some of the best reasons to raise Katahdin sheep - though the list is by no means exhaustive! There is no such thing as an ideal breed. Have been buying in feed since the start of 2018. Hair sheep primer . 2022 Cornell Small Farms. They are attentive, protective, and make excellent mothers. The shedding ability of this breed varies greatly. Feeding these breeds too much grain can result in an overabundance of internal fat. This market presented difficulties such as lambing in the dead of winter, having lambs large enough (especially when Passover comes early) and pooling with your neighbors to find enough lambs for a truckload. Wondering What to Feed Sheep? The Cheviot sheep is best suited for northern, colder climates, and does not tolerate heat as well. Are Llamas Dangerous? 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. Vet. Environmental Adaptability: Tolerant of both high and low temperatures. Everything You Need to Know About Hair Sheep - Cross S Ranch This information may be used to compare breeds of hair sheep. The Katahdin sheep breed was developed in Maine to help clear brush in powerline corridors. 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. ~Ann, Your email address will not be published. They also benefit from a long productive life, giving you maximum bang for your buck. Ewes will weigh an average of 190 pounds, with rams reaching up to 300 pounds. McKinney. Though large in size, Hampshire sheep tend to be a docile and easy-going breed. We currently manage between 45-60 ewes per year with about 70% of our flock being registered. Featured Listing. Ultimate Guide. Dorset ewes weigh approximately 150-200 pounds, with the rams weighing on average 275 pounds. The majority of ewe lambs are sold as registered breeding stock; the majority of ram lambs are sold for slaughter. Crossing these breeds with woolen breeds for efficient meat production does hold some potential. Publication : USDA ARS Sheep 201: Hair sheep primer We normally worm our lambs 3-4 times a summer and the ewes not at all. 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. Work with your states department of agriculture if youre interested in export sales. Why they are Crossed Waco Childbirth Education 74 subscribers Subscribe 127 Share. They also are not limited to a breeding season, conceiving year round. Variance in RT in periods 3 and 4 ranked St. Croix < Dorper < Katahdin. or you can contact me at- That is normal. They also do well eating the vegetation that other species reject. How the breed carries fat is, I think, important when dealing with older sheep. 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. Sheep: Dorper, White Dorper and Australian White Sheep Exports 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. Anymore (at least in Missouri) its the carcass quality that sets the price. They are seasonal breeders, conceiving in the Fall and Winter. The cross breeding results in the best of both breeds but also in the benefits of heterosis, commonly known as hybrid vigor. PDF Productive Performance of F Dorper vs. Katahdin Ewes Under Semi Four Barbados Blackbelly sheep arrived in the United States in 1904. There are a few characteristics you will want to look for when choosing a meat-producing sheep. While I cant speak for other hair sheep breeds, Katahdin sheep are often more flighty than many other breeds: Several producers of both hair and wool animals have found coyote losses are considerably lower with Katahdins. When the pastures are poor, hair animals hold their body condition much better. This means that, theoretically, a Dorper ewe can produce a lamb (or 2 or 3) every 8 months. Blackbellys often breed easily and well, usually birthing multiple lambs in one breeding. Ive seen Shropshire being used to keep weeds and grass down in Christmas tree plantations. 13 Hair Sheep Breeds You Should Know About - The Homesteading Hippy Apparently, Momma Kathadin doesnt wait around to see what happens when Mr. Coyote shows up for dinner. Katahdins tend to birth twins, with triplets and quadruplets occurring often with good flock management. They reach sexual maturity early, and will remain fertile for a longer period of time than many other breeds. Sold all our cattle. They have less subcutaneous fat on average and are a bit leaner because there is less feathering in the muscles. Dorper Sheep: Truths and Myths - Cornell Small Farms I had a Texel flock of 100 breeding ewes at the time when I bought my first White Dorper rams. we find dorpers a great sheep to raise and to eat.. had ribs tonight and use the grease on the dry dog food.. dogs love it.. The katahdin//dorper crosses are noticeably bigger than the pure katahdins. Easy Care Hair Sheep: Is There Really Such A Thing? Research Activity | Parasite Immunology | West Virginia University Twinning is common and triplets and quadruplets are not rare. 2022 Cornell Small Farms. Due to their superior conformation and shedding characteristics, they have become one of the most popular breeds of sheep in the U.S. 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. Origin: This breed was developed or evolved on the Eastern Caribbean Island of Barbados. We live in central NSW ( Australia ) our usual rainfall is 30 inchs, temp range from -7 deg to 45 deg C ( yes 115 F ) but over the past 3 years we have been experiencing a huge drought. Some breeders have been working on crosses between traditional wool meat breeds and hair sheep breeds. Dorset sheep have lean and muscular carcasses, making them excellent at producing meat. Crossbred individuals tend to be more vigorous, more fertile . (I know, Im not a good farmer) Youll find these sheep to have an easy-going temperament, and they tend to produce leaner meat with even fat distribution. The Katahdin hair sheep is the fastest growing breed in the United States. Also, much of the flavor ( good or bad) comes from the fat. Future importations to university breeding flocks led to the development of the American Blackbelly sheep breed. Most Muslims prefer intact ram lambs without tails being docked. Good set of ewes. mantap ! The Dorper Sheep is a hardy resilient South African breed of sheep that can withstand various harsh climates, environments and intensive operations. You can also use them for multiple income streams thanks to their excellent meat and milk production. This ancient breed has thrived in warm climates, continued to produce twins and good carcass weights. Since these breeds are so adaptable, when found in colder climates, the hair sheep adapt by growing a thicker undercoat. After 13 years of medical education and military service they landed in Maine to put down roots. Best Meat Cross-Breed with Katahdin Ram - Permies Just weaned 530 lambs .If we can get some weight on them worth $200+ in current market. They are the generally more fertile in hot humid regions and show greater tolerance to parasites than woolen breeds. After being in the business of raising wool sheep of various kinds for two decades, I decided in 2005 to start with hair sheep. Katahdin Sheep: Facts, Lifespan, Behavior & Care Guide (With Pictures I bottle fed him for three months and give him grain 2x a day, and free choice hay as well as pasture grass. Dorper lambs have amazing growth rates when young. Sheds coat as temperature and day length increase. In terms of temperament, cost, and maintenance, they are both excellent options. 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. Some general information on hair sheep is found on the next page. I love lambs Does lambs has less cholesterol than goat? Ten percent of sheep breeds are hair breeds but ninety percent of these are found in tropical areas. Dorper Sheep Breed - Everything You Need to Know - Domestic Animal Breeds Baby Sheep: What a Baby Sheep is Called & Other Fun Facts. Well, at least Katahdins, St Croix and barbs. There are without a doubt breeds that surpass White Dorper sheep in one or the other trait. Dorper sheep originated in South Africa and were the result of crossing Dorset Horn with Blackheaded Persian sheep. Like the Dorper, Dorset ewes are able to breed year-round and are not limited to a typical Fall/Winter breeding season. Did you know that Dorper sheep dont need to be sheared? He can be reached at 585-554-3313 or by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com. They are best raised on pasture and finishing these breeds on feedlots can lead to less desirable meat products as the ethnic market prefers a leaner lamb. Unfortunately, Mr. Piel did not live long enough to see his breed reach having a registry and breed standards. The breeder from whom I purchased the lambs said she is breeding in dorper with the katahdins to "beef" them up a little. Hi currently running flock of 600. "Shearing the wool was tough," he recalls, but the price paid for wool nearly covered feed costs. If I took the chance and had her bred would she be able to carry her lamb/s? May 23, 2011 #3 Beekissed Herd Master Joined Aug 3, 2008 Messages 3,634 Reaction score 5,536 Points 453 Location mountains of WV Originally publishedin sheep! A large-framed, late-maturing breed will not have the necessary carcass quality at these weights, whereas Katahdin sheep or Dorpers will. You have to pay to have it sheared once a year. You must log in or register to reply here. As mentioned earlier, theres no price discount for Katahdin sheep or Dorper sheep in central Missouri. While I cant speak for other hair breeds, Katahdin sheep are tough, hardy animals with eating habits more like that of a goat. We have an 18-cell planned grazing system with 10,000 feet of electric fence and 5,000 feet of underground waterline on 35 acres. Dorper ram purchased from Juan Navarro of J.N. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Ewes have good mothering ability and lamb easily unassisted. Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. Dorper's are by far the closest hair sheep to the wool breed. Katahdin sheep are one of several hair breeds, the most common of which includes Barbados Black Belly, St. Croix and Dorper sheep. Unfortunately, as the percentage of Dorper increases, more wool is found in their coat and some animals lose some of their shedding ability. Can you advise on the availability of a good ram and 10-12 ewe lambs this Spring. No wool to deal with makes perfect economic sense. The flocking instinct of hair animals generally isnt as good as wool breeds. I would love to get in touch with the author personally. If you combine all traits I have not found a better breed for a farming system based on pasture and direct marketing. Market Weight/Live/Age: 70 90 lbs / 7 8 months. The ewes produce vigorous, healthy, robust lambs that have a high survivability. The Gayogoh:n are members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign Nations with a historic and contemporary presence on this land. Good milkers, and is suggested not to wean lambs before three months. Animal Breeding Abstracts. Interested in raising sheep for wool? For more on the differences, plus potential pros and cons between the breeds, read on.
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