Ewe's Dorper/Katahdin Cross | Mysite He can be reached at 585-554-3313 or by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com. To be successful, you must sell quality, and I stress quality animals; send anything else to slaughter. 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. They also benefit from a long productive life, giving you maximum bang for your buck. They are easy care sheep that divert most of their energy into producing meat instead of wool. As mentioned earlier, theres no price discount for Katahdin sheep or Dorper sheep in central Missouri. mantap ! The Dorper has a high rate of lambing and is tolerant of the arid conditions it was developed for in South Africa. The best genetics wont keep an animal from starving to death. For specific questions, please contact the author. Dorper sheep Revolutionizing the meat sheep industry ), In fall 2000, we grazed our flock on cocklebur and waterhemp that followed an oat crop. This information may be used to compare breeds of hair sheep. They also are not limited to a breeding season, conceiving year round. Cornell University is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogoh:n (the Cayuga Nation). 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. 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. Question is this common? The Royal White sheep shed their wool naturally, it saves the cost of shearing. The Katahdin breed was developed in the United States by Michael Piel. Katahdins have generated a great deal of interest from all parts of North America. What sheep breeds are best for meat? We saw their ad and went to look at their Dorper rams. We find its seldom necessary to trim hooves. More on that subject later. Fact: Katahdin sheep, at least, will thrive from hot, humid Florida to the western provinces of Canada. It is also exceptionally low-maintenance. The breeds of hair sheep that are of importance in Florida include Katahdin, St. Croix, American Blackbelly, and Barbados Blackbelly. The Katahdin sheep is listed as a Recovering heritage breed on the ALBC Conservation Priority List. Interested in raising sheep for wool? There are a few characteristics you will want to look for when choosing a meat-producing sheep. 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. Anymore (at least in Missouri) its the carcass quality that sets the price. Grading up to Dorper. Dorper Vs Katahdins | Homesteading Forum Ta Paul.5. Katahdin Sheep - MAD-KETTLE FARM - KATAHDIN SHEEP AND DEXTER CATTLE 100 Dorper - Bred Ewes. They are well adapted to a variety of climatic and grazing conditions. 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. has anyone had CL in Dorper sheep one of my fav ewes has CL and we are trying to find a way to maybe stop it! Theyre too small to be of commercial value. Ewes will weigh an average of 190 pounds, with rams reaching up to 300 pounds. 1. 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 ? They are also well suited to survive in the arid extensive regions of South Africa. If you combine all traits I have not found a better breed for a farming system based on pasture and direct marketing. We have members from Mexico to Northern Canada and have exported to Ecuador, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, United Kingdom, Chile, and Central America. Katahdin meat tends to be leaner than many other breeds. This breed is also exceptionally hardy, able to thrive in both the cold, and the hot, humid climates in which many farmers struggle to. Katahdin can be used for both meat and milk, whereas Dorper sheep are only good for meat production. Some of the main pros of keeping Katahdin sheep include: Katahdin sheep are one of the easiest breeds of sheep to care for. Do you want to earn multiple income streams from your flock. (Grabbing a Romanov thats been walking through cockleburs is like wrestling with a 130-pound cocklebur.). for info and videos along with books and much more! Effects of high heat load conditions on body weight, feed intake This spring we had an overall lambing average of 1.9 lambs/ewe born with 1.7 lambs weaned. We are interested purchasing Katahdin sheep and found this article very helpful. 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. Cole, N.A. 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. How often do dorpers have breeding problems and we will then have to pull the lambs? . Nitrogen retention by lambs fed oscillating dietary protein concentrations. BREEDING DORPER SHEEP Thirdly how long after separation to market. St. Croix Sheep have been used to develop other breeds such as the Royal White. Bred sheep/ewes (Dorper and Katahdin), bred to a show ram. Lamb chops from Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix lambs were similar to those from Dorset-sired, Dorper-sired, or Katahdin. While I had no worries about my 1/2 market lambs since the Texel influence was still strong, my anticipation when the first 3/4 market lambs were harvested was great. For a number of years, there has been a good export market for ewe lambs going to Mexico. We just started raising Katahdins this year. Like most of the sheep listed here, Texel lambs reach market size quickly, by 5-6 months. We had the idea of crossing a Dorper with their 60 Katahdin ewes. Dorset lambs, like the Suffolk and Dorper, mature quickly and are market-ready earlier than many other breeds. A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. My Texel and Dorset lambs that I used to have in the past didnt differ that much in flavor, although the WD lambs are indeed milder tasting. As wild sheep were domesticated, breeding for increased wool came into practice. Sheep for sale: young grass-fed butcher ram lambs (Dorper & Katahdin) Our flock is content to sleep outside in the coldest weather and will have unmelted snow on their backs like a wool animal. The only problem with colesterol is that the big pharma found a new drug to sell. Your email address will not be published. Hairbreeds have many positive traits that make them an ideal animal for small farms, homesteads, and of course, larger commercial farms. 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. Required fields are marked *. 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. The major disadvantage is that they grow slower and produce a lighter weight carcass than most breeds of European origin. Here is a list of the top 10 sheep breeds for meat:if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'savvyfarmlife_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_0',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-savvyfarmlife_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Sheep are one of the most versatile livestock animals you can find when it comes to the number of different products they are able to produce. There is a growing market demand for high-quality, naturally-fed lamb. I direct sell a great number of lambs. Lambing %: Approximately 125%, exceeding 200% with subsequent lambing. Why Katahdin x Dorper Crosses At Stoneheart Farms we specialize in Katahdin x Dorper crosses for exceptional market lambs and for replacement breeding stock. we really enjoy that black baby lamb and she is 9 months old now. Dorper Sheep: Truths and Myths - Cornell Small Farms You must log in or register to reply here. Thanks, Noela. Future importations to university breeding flocks led to the development of the American Blackbelly sheep breed. Vet. In colder zones they produce a very heavy winter coat that is shed in spring. Sheep 201: Hair sheep primer 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. A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. When the pastures are poor, hair animals hold their body condition much better. History tells us our present-day sheep are derived from the wild Mouflon sheep, among others, that grew coarse hair with a downy undercoat. The other half needed shearing. Also, much of the flavor ( good or bad) comes from the fat. For several years weve had Romanov/Katahdin crosses. My Dorper ram is not really large but he is bigger than her. If there were a hair Hampshire or Suffolk that would do a better job, wed be raising them. To avoid the coloring and spots that come along with first and second generation cross breeding with Dorper sheep, I decided to go with White Dorper sheep (WD). link to Are Llamas Dangerous? Katahdin Hair Sheep | Successful Farming Though the breed produces wool (and lanolin), it is known to have a particularly mild taste. Last but not least on our list is the Cheviot breed. Bred to produce less back fat, their meat is lean and flavorful. Two varieties of Dorper Sheep were created: the black headed Dorper and an all white variety, the White Dorper sheep. Crossing these breeds with woolen breeds for efficient meat production does hold some potential. 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. In many cases, farmers are adding hair sheep to pastures with cattle to maximize efficiency and for parasite control. Sheds coat as temperature and day length increase. Viewing a thread - Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep 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. (Icelandic sheep grow a double coat.) All Rights Reserved | Website by Maple Creative, buildwithmaple.com. 2. Katahdin ewes weigh around 125-185 pounds, and rams average around 200 pounds. Katahdin Pedigrees ~ Members List That's interesting! The cross breeding results in the best of both breeds but also in the benefits of heterosis, commonly known as hybrid vigor. His information is given at the conclusion of the article, pasted below. The lambing rate is not as high as other hair breeds. Feel free to contact the author, Ulf Kintzel, at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com for further information. As mentioned earlier, the Katahdin breed has served us well. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 70 -120, Ram = 110 140. We prefer using forage to produce lambs rather than wool. Hi Joanne. Thanks, I am considering starting a small Dorper and or Katahdin herd to raise meat for the Western New York market. I think that we are asking for bloat. 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 youre raising sheep for meat, the wool is a by-product. After being in the business of raising wool sheep of various kinds for two decades, I decided in 2005 to start with hair sheep. To learn more about baby sheep, check out my article Baby Sheep: What a Baby Sheep is Called & Other Fun Facts. Dorper sheep are exceptionally popular amongst both hobbyists and commercial homesteads. Dorset lambs, like the Suffolk and Dorper, mature quickly and are market-ready earlier than many other breeds. Katahdins are awesome and productive mothers plus they are a very hardy breed and the Dorper will put more size on the meat sheep. Id recommend getting in touch with the author of this article- he might have some good insight for you. This makes them one of the more profitable breeds to specialize in. Bosnians want 60-pound animals while Muslims often prefer 60-80 pound animals. I really like all three breeds. A type of hair breed, Katahdin sheep originate in the United States. The Dorpers get so quiet and even a little lazy that the dogs really have to work hard to make them move much. Katahdin sheep are one of several hair breeds, the most common of which includes Barbados Black Belly, St. Croix and Dorper sheep. The bodybuilder of the sheep world, the Texel sheep is known for its heavily-muscled and sturdy frame. Katahdin sheep and Dorper are bred as meat sheep breeds. As we train border collies for sheep and cattle trials and we need a few different types of sheep. Icelandic Sheep are excellent and reliable breeders, breeding seasonally in the Fall to Winter. 199 Effects of high heat load conditions on Dorper, Katahdin, and St The Blackbelly is a smaller breed of sheep, with ewes maturing at around 100 pounds, and rams weighing on average 120 pounds. Rather than stay in a group, they will scatter in all directions like a covey of quail. In addition, there is almost no incidence of flystrike with hair sheep breeds. Katahdins are a popular meat breed for sheep farmers. The Katahdin is another great dual-purpose breed, producing on average 210 liters of milk per 210 day cycle. In terms of lambing, youll find Katahdins mostly give birth to multiple lambs. This breed produces rapid-growing lambs, with most lambs being considered ready for market at 12 weeks of age. Many Greeks eat lamb for Easter, which is not always the same date as the traditional Easter. Blackbellys often breed easily and well, usually birthing multiple lambs in one breeding. As hair sheep breeds become more popular, it will be important for breeders to ensure the future integrity of the breeds. Later on I found out that this was the faster route to accomplish shedding in the offspring. Unsave Save. Fact: While its true that Barbados and St. Croix are small animals (ewes 80-110 pounds), few commercial breeders raise them. Culling the genetic faults and only keeping the best rams for breeding will ensure a good future for any new hair sheep breeds. Early maturing Terminal cross lambs. The Dorper originated in South Africa from crosses between the Dorset and the Blackhead Persian. Feeding Practices in Sheep - Merck Veterinary Manual An interesting study was done that showed the parasite resistance was higher in the purebred hair sheep over the crossbred shedding sheep. Featured Listing. I love lambs Does lambs has less cholesterol than goat? This information may be used to compare breeds of hair sheep. Katahdins are docile, medium-sized sheep; ewes weigh 125 to 185 pounds, rams 180 to 250 pounds. It is also well established that heavy grain feeding does not suit these medium sized sheep since they thrive on so little. Hair sheep have some attributes that make them admirably suited to fill market niches or fit varying production systems in Florida. Crossing with the Dorper led tothis larger hair breed. let me know! I used purebred as opposed to full blood White Dorper rams to upgrade my flock. We have just over 1200 breeding ewes & aim for around 2000 when things get better. A caution when breeding is to choose the right size ram for the ewe. The Cheviot sheep is best suited for northern, colder climates, and does not tolerate heat as well. Sheep Breeds - UF/IFAS Extension 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. The first generation grows quite well due to the heterosis effect, but nearly always has a wool coat. Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. The bodybuilder of the sheep world, the Texel sheep is known for its heavily-muscled and sturdy frame. There are without a doubt breeds that surpass White Dorper sheep in one or the other trait. daging domba sangat enak dan sangat kaya akan protein. Get Shipping Quotes Opens in a new tab. The Katahdin breed has hair instead of wool, and that means less work, according to the couple, who raise the sheep near Perham, Minnesota. 1999. They also tend to be highly mobile, which means they will climb on top of anything. Katahdins have hair and not wool, which means they are a low-maintenance breed that will shed their hair naturally. Since hair sheep dont have a heavy wool coat, they cant take the cold. Its also common to see animals of up to a year old climbing to the top of a big bale of hay. 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." study was done that showed the parasite resistance. I raise all my sheep and lambs strictly on pasture and feed no grain whatsoever. Our flock is managed through pasture rotation from April until late December. Katahdins often breeding out of season. Photo courtesy of:Dr. Stephan A. Wildeus. JavaScript is disabled. Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. Some general information on hair sheep is found on the next page. Now meat sheep producers are lucky if wool prices cover . The Dorper has a high rate of lambing and is tolerant of the arid conditions it was developed for in South Africa. If you plan on raising lambs for meat, youll need to know everything that comes with taking care of baby sheep. i want buy texel sheep unit so please tell how can buy it this breed. Dorset sheep have lean and muscular carcasses, making them excellent at producing meat. In a second study, Dorper or Dorset sired lambs were compared to Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix or Katahdin lambs. Thanks for the belly shaking laugh! I have noticed that some lambs are showing caramel patches. I have found that the Katahdin can be a little taller than many of the Dorper but then it will also depend on what bloodlines. keep checking it out! Katahdin Sheep: Low-Maintenance Meat and Milk Producer - MorningChores Have been buying in feed since the start of 2018.