Market Weight/Live/Age: 60 80 lbs / 9 month. Because of their hair, they do not produce the lanolin that can lend gaminess to the meat, giving it a milder flavor. When the weathers hot and the pastures are dry, their wool animals will be under a tree while the hair animals are out grazing. Lambing %: Lambing rates vary from 150% to 250% with 3 lambing every 2 years not uncommon. They can harbor significant worm populations, yet not suffer the same effects a wool animal would. But the dorpers always have say ten % that need shearing still. They are excellent mothers. St. Croix Sheep have been used to develop other breeds such as the Royal White. The St Croix are also quiet, but seem to be next on the ladder. Lamb meat is known to be more tender and tasty. His website address is www.whitecloversheepfarm.com. A common lamb on good pasture will perform better than Super Lamb on poor pasture. Have good flocking instinct. Good milkers, and is suggested not to wean lambs before three months. Crossing these breeds with woolen breeds for efficient meat production does hold some potential. After 13 years of medical education and military service they landed in Maine to put down roots. While hair breeds comprise a small percentage of the number of sheep in North America, this is changing as sustainability becomes a bigger issue for landowners. Suffolk ewes are excellent mothers and prolific breeders. In Canada, Katahdin sheep commonly gain well over a pound per day. This information may be used to compare breeds of hair sheep. We just started raising Katahdins this year. 3 year old Dorper Katahdin Ram. The purpose of the breed is to efficiently produce meat. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Animals dont grow as fastbut dont need to with milder winters and longer growing season. Since these breeds are so adaptable, when found in colder climates, the hair sheep adapt by growing a thicker undercoat. The cross breeding results in the best of both breeds but also in the benefits of heterosis, commonly known as hybrid vigor. 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. 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. We saw their ad and went to look at their Dorper rams. Dorper lambs have amazing growth rates when young. Dorper sheep originated in South Africa and were the result of crossing Dorset Horn with Blackheaded Persian sheep. However, if thats what you are looking for then this breed might not be for you. Although they are one of the newest sheep breeds introduced in America, Katahdin sheep have quickly become a popular choice. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. They have incredible growth of lambs at butcher weight within 6-8 months with carcass weights in the 45-60 lb range. Katahdins tend to birth twins, with triplets and quadruplets occurring often with good flock management. How the breed carries fat is, I think, important when dealing with older sheep. If you combine all traits I have not found a better breed for a farming system based on pasture and direct marketing. Sales at the 2022 mid America Dorper Show nearly broke $1 MILLION with the top Dorper ewe bringing $20,000 and ram $12,800. While there are far fewer cons than there are pros for keeping Dorper sheep, you do need to consider the potential downsides. They were an excellent choice for this as they seldom bothered the pine trees. The Dorper sheep has gained popularity in the last decade for meat production, with ewes reaching a weight of 170-250 pounds, and rams up to 250 pounds. 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. We are currently running 130 registered ewes with 10 commercial ewes that will be dispersed this year. . The number of feedings can be reduced over time to twice a day by 3-4 weeks of age. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Cheviots are easy to breed, meeting a 90% lambing average without assistance. Tunis sheep are able to thrive in a variety of climates, and tolerate both heat and cold well. Some of the main pros of keeping Katahdin sheep include: Katahdin sheep are one of the easiest breeds of sheep to care for. Katahdins tend to birth twins, with triplets and quadruplets occurring often with good flock management. But the pasture littered with wool as I had feared just did not happen. This breed is medium-sized and is hardy with a high-quality carcass. They do produce wool, and will need regular shearing. Tunis sheep are known to have an excellent flavor of meat. Bred sheep/ewes (Dorper and Katahdin), bred to a show ram. He is a native of Germany and lives in the US since 1995. In our operation, that sheep breed is the Katahdin sheep. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Ewes are docile with good mothering ability. Are Llamas Dangerous? The Katahdin is another great dual-purpose breed, producing on average 210 liters of milk per 210 day cycle. Can someone tell me a few of the pros and cons for both dorper sand katahdin. To learn more about how you can make money off of sheep, read my article What Do Sheep Produce? Consider the pros and cons featured above before making your decision. Environmental Adaptability: Withstand higher heat and humidity than British sheep breeds. Many ethnic groups want a much different lamb or goat than has been marketed in the past. This is a very good article to read and understand the secrets of Raising Katahdin Sheep. What You Need To Know. The Confederacy precedes the establishment of Cornell University, New York state, and the United States of America. At Kettle Haven Ranch we specialize in Katahdin x Dorper crosses for exceptional market lambs and for replacement breeding stock. Bred to produce less back fat, their meat is lean and flavorful. Making Natural Clothing Dye From Vegetables. Dorper-sired. 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. Ta Paul.5. Today I have 1/2, 3/4, 7/8th, and 15/16th White Dorper sheep. 1999. At that weight there are no problems with too much fat cover whatsoever. 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. Now meat sheep producers are lucky if wool prices cover . The Dorper sheep has gained popularity in the last decade for meat production, with ewes reaching a weight of 170-250 pounds, and rams up to 250 pounds. This is inconvenient since you must pasture ram lambs separately from ewes to prevent unplanned pregnancies. Produce large amount of milk. Apparently, Momma Kathadin doesnt wait around to see what happens when Mr. Coyote shows up for dinner. This makes them one of the more profitable breeds to specialize in. Though large in size, Hampshire sheep tend to be a docile and easy-going breed. Average weight for the Cheviot is 130 175 pounds. Unsave Save. This is not a true hair sheep. Breed ideal for pasture lambing and grass/forage based management systems. A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. In terms of lambing, youll find Katahdins mostly give birth to multiple lambs. This is a very old article and I do not have the contact info for John. 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." The Blackhead Persian is a fat-rumped hair breed from the arid lands of the Middle East. Currently have a friend running dorper but was looking at katahdins since they are a little bigger. The percentage of 15/16 is considered purebred. Ewes will breed back before the lambs are weaned. It is more flighty than Dorper, Kathadin and St. Croix breeds. Disposition & Mothering Ability: This breed is a bit flighty. The ewes are also heavy milkers with excellent maternal instincts. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 170 200 (can be less than 170lb), Ram = 220 250. He can be reached at 585-554-3313 or by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com. Breeding stock is selected under rigorous criteria, including parasite resistance, hair coat, growth characteristics on grass alone and general thriftiness. No difference was noted between the purebred breeds of hair sheep. This spring we had an overall lambing average of 1.9 lambs/ewe born with 1.7 lambs weaned. Katahdin Pedigrees Public Area Members List. The breed is famous in the United States for its high performance and low maintenance. Looking forward to reply. Continue with Recommended Cookies. My Dorper ram is not really large but he is bigger than her. "Shearing the wool was tough," he recalls, but the price paid for wool nearly covered feed costs. The Dorper carcass has a good conformation and fat distribution. Lamb chops from Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix lambs were similar to those from Dorset-sired, Dorper-sired, or Katahdin. Also, much of the flavor ( good or bad) comes from the fat. Average Birth Weight (Lbs): 7 lbs for small lambs, 4-5 lbs for twin lambs. This breed was developed after 20 years of breeding and selection. Moreover, RT was slightly less for Katahdin vs. Dorper in period 4 at 13:00 and 17:00 however, RR was less for Katahdin than for Dorper in periods 3 and 4. There are three main reasons to raise hair sheep. FLAVOR The Katahdin breed was developed in the United States by Michael Piel. 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 . Updated: Monday, February 06, 2023 02:46 PM. They are also well suited to survive in the arid extensive regions of South Africa. University of South Dakota research found it requires 250-300 pounds of dry matter forage to produce each pound of wool. The flocking instinct of hair animals generally isnt as good as wool breeds. Not only do they suffer fewer complications during birthing compared to some other breeds, but they also give birth to multiple lambs. Dorpersare known for their fast weight gains as lambs. A year and many dollars later, they cant understand why the rams offspring doesnt grow any faster than the rest of their animals. However, they are suitable for markets requiring smaller carcass size. Variance in RT in periods 3 and 4 ranked St. Croix < Dorper < Katahdin. The Katahdin hair sheep is the fastest growing breed in the United States. Why Katahdin x Dorper Crosses At Stoneheart Farms we specialize in Katahdin x Dorper crosses for exceptional market lambs and for replacement breeding stock. Generally, hair breeds are more heat tolerant than wool breeds. He can be reached at 585-554-3313 or by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com. 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. Katahdin x Texel. including sheepamong them an extra-special Dorper-Katahdin lamb named Mopple. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 70 -120, Ram = 110 140. Crossbred individuals tend to be more vigorous, more fertile . Hampshire sheep have a muscular and stocky build, and are comparative to the Suffolk in size. To showcase the commercial qualities of our animals, all breeding stock we sell comes directly from pasture, having received no special treatment. Environmental Adaptability: Well adapted to hot, dry, humid and wet conditions. And does anyone have experience with katahdin ewes on dorper bucks . They also are not limited to a breeding season, conceiving year round. Ewes weight approximately 200 pounds, and rams average out to around 260 pounds. I have noticed that some lambs are showing caramel patches. He is a native of Germany and lives in the US since 1995. Royal White (Dorper x St.Croix) Are you interested in raising sheep for meat? 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: Posted 11/18/2019 21:09 (#7854689) Subject: Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. We began our Katahdin Sheep herd with non-registered sheep but have added registered Katahdin ewes to our farm. Katahdins are awesome and productive mothers plus they are a very hardy breed and the Dorper will put more size on the meat sheep. . I shear myself and since I wanted to increase the size of my flock I was not looking forward to shearing even more sheep. 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. We find its seldom necessary to trim hooves. 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. In California prices for hair sheep have surpassed prices for wool sheep and in New Holland they are catching up. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. 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. He farms in the Finger Lakes area in upstate New York. The majority of ewe lambs are sold as registered breeding stock; the majority of ram lambs are sold for slaughter. Due to the high amount of red muscle fibers, the Icelandic sheep has a uniquely tender and fine texture. Interested in raising sheep for wool? 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. Mating season for Suffolk sheep usually happens in the Autumn or Winter of each year, as it is for most sheep breeds. Lambing %: Average lambing rate is between 150 and 250%. That's interesting! 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. marina@mgdorpers.com. Many Greeks eat lamb for Easter, which is not always the same date as the traditional Easter. This breed tolerates both heat and cold making them a good choice for most climates. This site is owned and operated by Wild Wire Media, LLC. Have been buying in feed since the start of 2018. As a result, about 50 percent of the first generation of White Dorper cross bred sheep shed partially or mostly. The first rams I purchased were of outstanding shedding ability. When comparing weights, keep in mind we live in north central Missouri. 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. 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. Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. Any of the sheep breeds thats considered to be one of the true hair sheep breeds has an advantage in that cockleburs, briars, stick-tights and so forth dont become entangled. Im Carmella. They require less worming medications as a general rule. 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. For more on the differences, plus potential pros and cons between the breeds, read on. 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. There is the wool type and the hairtype with the hairtype being slightly less meaty but far better shedding. The Dorper is the fastest growing, heaviest-muscled hair sheep breed in the U.S. Dorpers do not shed as well as other hair sheep, but their carcasses are superior to any other breed of hair sheep. Our paddocks are grazed for 5-7 days followed by 25-34 days of . The other half needed shearing. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. 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. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. my ewe with CL has had her first batch of lambs last month and she is a really good mother! The Katahdins in the study had a consistently less barber pole worm infestation rate compared to the Dorper and Dorset crosses. This information is important to producers and extension agents with an interest in hair sheep. Sales of sheep meat and sheep breeding stock are on the rise in the United States and Canada. a From the review: Notter, g. 1978. Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. Weight Gain/Daily: 1 pound under intensive production. Royal Whites are more recent in the hair sheep scene and development is still ongoing. We have a dispute between the members about feeding sheep after working them. There is no such thing as an ideal breed. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 100 130, Ram = 120 150. More on that subject later. Icelandic Sheep are excellent and reliable breeders, breeding seasonally in the Fall to Winter. Hi Joanne. Ron remembers raising wool sheep as a teenager. 4 1. Hi currently running flock of 600. They are attentive, protective, and make excellent mothers. while letting some lambs reach weights up to 100+ lbs. Two weeks later, the ewes hadnt lost any body condition. Our experienced ewes averaged 2.1 lambs/ewe born with 1.9 weaned. My question is, how much should he weigh. 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 terms of temperament, cost, and maintenance, they are both excellent options. for info and videos along with books and much more! As mentioned earlier, the Katahdin breed has served us well. Im sure by now you have an answer. As well as a hand full of peanuts every day. Q. There was only the body fleece that needed shearing. (I know, Im not a good farmer) Coat & Color: Has a variety of color ranging from black and tan through yellow with variegated mottled pattern. If you plan on raising lambs for meat, youll need to know everything that comes with taking care of baby sheep. Katahdins have generated a great deal of interest from all parts of North America. It was bred from West African hair sheep and is extremely well-adapted to hot, humid conditions. This means that, theoretically, a Dorper ewe can produce a lamb (or 2 or 3) every 8 months. November/December 2003 and regularly vetted for accuracy. In many cases, farmers are adding hair sheep to pastures with cattle to maximize efficiency and for parasite control. I belong to a herding club in Hawaii. Ewes with young lambs show protective behavior and may raise front feet to strike dogs and cats when confronted. The trend is now reversed. Savvyfarmlife.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Early maturing Terminal cross lambs. Dorset ewes weigh approximately 150-200 pounds, with the rams weighing on average 275 pounds. This breed produces rapid-growing lambs, with most lambs being considered ready for market at 12 weeks of age. They will definitely get too fat. Their main advantage is that they adapt well to hot humid climate where woolen breeds do not thrive well. In South Africa, the Dorper is likewise most commonly found in arid and semi . I think this is where the good reputation of hair sheep comes in. One in particular is more like a paint horse. Hi..I have a merino female sheep and I would like to know if its possible to cross it with male dorper sheep to get pregnant .. Do Dorpers only breed seasonally ? Ive spent my entire life around farm animals, and I created Savvy Farm Life to share the helpful information Ive learned over the years. I'll be using my Barbados Blackbelly ram on my BB ewes and also a few Kathadin ewes. Origin: This breed was developed or evolved on the Eastern Caribbean Island of Barbados. Plans for the future include a larger lambing/working shed-currently under construction, later lambing to reduce cold weather losses (10percentdeath loss for everything combined, stillborn, drowning in water tank, mashed, runts, etc. Do you want to earn multiple income streams from your flock. How do you decide which breed is right for your needs? 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. The mild and yet rich flavor of these culled ewes is remarkable and does not at all remind anyone of mutton. These include: Dorper sheep dont produce much milk or wool, which means raising them for meat is your only option. Dorpers are theoretically better muscled, meatier carcass, faster growing, but we haven't seen that to be true. Mutton is meat that comes from mature sheep over the age of 1 year old. Due to its heavily muscled carcass, the Texel sheep is a very popular meat breed. In addition, shearing is not a requirement thereby reducing operational cost. As wild sheep were domesticated, breeding for increased wool came into practice. Parasitol. The Gayogoh:n are members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign Nations with a historic and contemporary presence on this land. All Rights Reserved | Website by Maple Creative, God Save the Beef: Trials of Sustainable Farming in the UK . Feed conversion is good since these sheep fatten easily on less than ideal pasture and forage. Hi Qazi, There is a growing market demand for high-quality, naturally-fed lamb. However, they all shed around the belly, legs, head, and all the other places that would otherwise prolong shearing. Originally publishedin sheep! 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. This, alongside their easy-going dietary needs, really cut down the cost of keeping them.
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