However, they have been cross-bred with other breeds over the years to develop the modern breed we see today. Because of their hair, like the Dorper they do not produce lanolin which will give their meat a milder taste. I think this is where the good reputation of hair sheep comes in. Breeding Season: They breed throughout the year. The leather from hair sheep grain is finer than the leather from wool breeds and brings in a larger amount of money. The low maintenance qualities of Katahdins allow us the time to do so. Lamb comes from a sheep under the age of 1 year old. They still dont take a huge amount of time to reach it, but it is something to be aware of if you are looking for fast production. The Dorper sheep is a meat sheep breed. 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. They have incredible growth of lambs at butcher weight within 6-8 months with carcass weights in the 45-60 lb range. They also benefit from a long productive life, giving you maximum bang for your buck. Anymore (at least in Missouri) its the carcass quality that sets the price. Just like to make a comment. This breed averages in maturity at around 175 220 pounds. However, in older hairsheep the flavor is still impressive due to the genetic factor. We are interested purchasing Katahdin sheep and found this article very helpful. The katahdin//dorper crosses are noticeably bigger than the pure katahdins. keep checking it out! Variance in RT in periods 3 and 4 ranked St. Croix < Dorper < Katahdin. Market Weight/Live/Age: 70 90 lbs / 7 8 months. The Katahdin is another great dual-purpose breed, producing on average 210 liters of milk per 210 day cycle. The American Sheep Industry recognizes 47 different sheep breeds in the US, with hundreds more recognized internationally. 46:131-143.. Making a Good Ewe Flock. including sheepamong them an extra-special Dorper-Katahdin lamb named Mopple. In many cases, farmers are adding hair sheep to pastures with cattle to maximize efficiency and for parasite control. Ewes typically reach sexual maturity by 7 months. Katahdin Dorper The Dorper is a mutton breed of hair sheep developed in the 1930s. Fact: In central Missouri, raising sheep for wool has been a losing proposition for a number of years. Other than a few lambs for Hispanic weddings, we sell our slaughter animals through the local auction barn. He can be reached at 585-554-3313 or by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com. They do produce wool, and will need to be shorn annually. 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 . link to Are Llamas Dangerous? I have bought a dorper lamb an intend to serve mountain horny ewes with him has it ever being tried out, hi, 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. The Dorper is highly adaptable and does well in harsh conditions. 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. Is there any way to contact him? The other half needed shearing. These White Dorper female replacement lambs already look very much like purebred White Dorpers Photographer: Ulf Kintzel. Hope this helps! This is true for Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix in particular, because they have not been subjected to selection for size and growth rate of the woolen breeds. Generally, hair breeds are more heat tolerant than wool breeds. 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. Ewes with young lambs show protective behavior and may raise front feet to strike dogs and cats when confronted. Hairbreeds have many positive traits that make them an ideal animal for small farms, homesteads, and of course, larger commercial farms. So, what about littering the pasture with wool? Considered to be the 2nd most popular breed of sheep in the US, the Dorset sheep is another solid meat-producer. Our spring lambs require 4-5 pounds of dry matter forage to produce each pound of gain. 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. 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. 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. 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. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 130 140 (Average is 136), Ram = 170 - 200. Will they settle into a seasonal pattern or will they breed continually? Cole, N.A. Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. 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. Many ethnic groups want a much different lamb or goat than has been marketed in the past. Royal White (Dorper x St.Croix) Unfortunately, Mr. Piel did not live long enough to see his breed reach having a registry and breed standards. Lambing %: Approximately 125%, exceeding 200% with subsequent lambing. Dorset sheep thrive in a wide variety of climates, and being wool-producers, they will need to be sheared annually. 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. The breeder from whom I purchased the lambs said she is breeding in dorper with the katahdins to "beef" them up a little. In colder zones they produce a very heavy winter coat that is shed in spring. They were an excellent choice for this as they seldom bothered the pine trees. Originally publishedin sheep! if any one would be interested in buying some good quality Dorpers check out my website MGDorpers.com it is comming out soon! Due to their superior conformation and shedding characteristics, they have become one of the most popular breeds of sheep in the U.S. The Katahdan tend to be a little more "active", in general not quite as docile, though many would disagree but they are still quiet. 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. Work with your states department of agriculture if youre interested in export sales. There are lots of Dorper breeders in NC also, as well as "commercial" crossbreeds: You can search this site by States to find Scrapie-free certified breeders of sheep and goats: In South Africa, the Dorper is likewise most commonly found in arid and semi . When I look out in the paddock it looks like hell on earth but at the same time beautiful. Ultimate Guide. Lamb chops from Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix lambs were similar to those from Dorset-sired, Dorper-sired, or Katahdin. But the dorpers always have say ten % that need shearing still. Kt ewes under low-input semiarid conditions of northern Mxico. Rather than stay in a group, they will scatter in all directions like a covey of quail. This information may be used to compare breeds of hair sheep. Tunis sheep are known to have an excellent flavor of meat. Why they are Crossed Waco Childbirth Education 74 subscribers Subscribe 127 Share. 3 year old Dorper Katahdin Ram. Dorsets commonly produce twins and even triplets. for info and videos along with books and much more! The Katahdin hair sheep is the fastest growing breed in the United States. Like most of the sheep listed here, Texel lambs reach market size quickly, by 5-6 months. The Dorper is a breed of sheep that originated in the south of Africa in the 1940's. It is the product of cross-breeding between the Dorset Horn and Blackhead Persian breeds. Katahdins are medium size, hardy, low-maintenance, and have a high-quality carcass weight. Though the breed produces wool (and lanolin), it is known to have a particularly mild taste. Next Page: Flock ID Last Name First Name Farm Name Address City State . Many of the Dorper you see have been crossed with Katahdin sheep for several reasons. It is common to have ewes lambing twice per year. If ewes are fed well, lambing rate approaches the higher end. while letting some lambs reach weights up to 100+ lbs. They are well adapted to a variety of climatic and grazing conditions. We are fortunate that buyers for the large ethnic market in St. Louis often attend sales. Although they are one of the newest sheep breeds introduced in America, Katahdin sheep have quickly become a popular choice. Currently have a friend running dorper but was looking at katahdins since they are a little bigger. The lambing rate is not as high as other hair breeds. The Katahdin breed has hair instead of wool, and that means less work, according to the couple, who raise the sheep near Perham, Minnesota. It is also well established that heavy grain feeding does not suit these medium sized sheep since they thrive on so little. Featured Listing. Our paddocks are grazed for 5-7 days followed by 25-34 days of . . 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. Dorper-sired. The Blackbelly is a smaller breed of sheep, with ewes maturing at around 100 pounds, and rams weighing on average 120 pounds. 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. Twinning is common and triplets and quadruplets are not rare. Disposition & Mothering Ability: This breed is a bit flighty. In addition to being a smaller breed, the lambs tend to mature slowly, not reaching ideal market weight until around 2 years of age. Katahdin x Lacaune. He farms in the Finger Lakes area in upstate New York. My friend also mentioned his Katahdin-Dorper lambs are much fatter when born than Polypays. 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 . A ewes wool will pay her winter feed bill. As far as winter hardiness is concerned, I have my sheep out in zero degree weather. Ron remembers raising wool sheep as a teenager. The lighter weights are the result of hot weather reducing forage intake (occurs with all grazing animals) and lowered nutritional quality of cool-season forages. "Dorper sheep are barrel-shaped with a well-muscled back end. Our experienced ewes averaged 2.1 lambs/ewe born with 1.9 weaned. Because of their hair, they do not produce the lanolin that can lend gaminess to the meat, giving it a milder flavor. Several myths still surround hair sheep. Dorper lambs tolerated the infection more so than Suffolk (wool) lambs when fecal egg counts were low. It is also exceptionally low-maintenance. A list of the breeds of sheep that are thought of as being good ewe breeds would start with (1) Rambouillet sheep such as there are in Texas (2) several kinds of Whitefaced Western sheep, (3) the Dorset breed, which is a white-faced meat breed . They are also well suited to survive in the arid extensive regions of South Africa. study was done that showed the parasite resistance. I had a Texel flock of 100 breeding ewes at the time when I bought my first White Dorper rams. 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). 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. Ewes will weigh an average of 190 pounds, with rams reaching up to 300 pounds. Last but not least on our list is the Cheviot breed. Best guess is he is 175-200 lbs. Dorset lambs, like the Suffolk and Dorper, mature quickly and are market-ready earlier than many other breeds. Thanks for the belly shaking laugh! Since these breeds are so adaptable, when found in colder climates, the hair sheep adapt by growing a thicker undercoat. While I cant speak for other hair breeds, Katahdin sheep are tough, hardy animals with eating habits more like that of a goat. A common lamb on good pasture will perform better than Super Lamb on poor pasture. After being in the business of raising wool sheep of various kinds for two decades, I decided in 2005 to start with hair sheep. I would also be interested in bred young ewes. One of the first breeds to be recognized for its commercial production, the rams can reach more than 250 lbs. That applies to purebred WD market lambs as well. However, as the challenge escalated, parasite resistance was greatest in St. Croix lambs, followed by Katahdin and Dorper lambs. Subsequent generations with higher percentage shed better and better although shedding is not a black and white thing. My question is, how much should he weigh. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Mating season for Suffolk sheep usually happens in the Autumn or Winter of each year, as it is for most sheep breeds. 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. 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. Breed utilization for meat production in sheep. When comparing weights, keep in mind we live in north central Missouri. Three ewes needed assistance lambing (one got it, the other two didnt and lost their lambs), one of which was 8 years old. In general they have low maintenance requirements. For example, cold wind and warm sun quickly result in herd finding shelter under conditions when woolen sheep remain in the open. Origin: Developed in the Virgin Islands for crosses of West African hair sheep and Wiltshire Horn. One of the oldest breeds of sheep, the Tunis is still a favorite breed for meat production. Owning Goats vs. Sheep I can only put this down to past genetics. I have some St Croix and they are quite large. ( From Buckler Farms near Granville TN) His mom is at least 50% dorper and Katahdin. Sure enough, hes been trimming hooves. Im sorry I cannot help you. The flavor of the market lambs is in my opinion mostly influenced by the fact that these lambs are grass-fed. Well, at least Katahdins, St Croix and barbs. No wool to deal with makes perfect economic sense. Later on I found out that this was the faster route to accomplish shedding in the offspring. Some general information on hair sheep is found on the next page. These include: The fact Dorper sheep are easy to breed is a huge advantage. 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. 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. 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. In years past, 18-30 pound lambs sold well in Chicago for Jewish Passover. When selecting breeding stock, choose animals with good feet. Myth #2: Hair sheep don't bring as much on the slaughter market. There is a growing market demand for high-quality, naturally-fed lamb. As a result, about 50 percent of the first generation of White Dorper cross bred sheep shed partially or mostly. 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 can mature to be up to 6 tall, can reach over 400 pounds, and they dont back down Goats vs Sheep: Profit, Care & Behavioral Differences. Your email address will not be published. If my product would be poorly finished or wouldnt taste good, I surely would lose customers. The Dorper has a high rate of lambing and is tolerant of the arid conditions it was developed for in South Africa. We began our Katahdin Sheep herd with non-registered sheep but have added registered Katahdin ewes to our farm. I really like all three breeds. One needs to do a detail review of the information related to the hair breed one wishes to raise. Feeding small quantities throughout numerous feedings helps reduce the incidence of bloat and/or diarrhea. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. You can find out more about lambing Dorper sheep through the American Dorper Sheep Breeders Society.
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