My Texel sheep had served me well with their ability to finish on pasture, with their excellent meaty carcasses and with their lambing percentage of over 200 percent. The leather from hair sheep grain is finer than the leather from wool breeds and brings in a larger amount of money. I think that we are asking for bloat. We began our Katahdin Sheep herd with non-registered sheep but have added registered Katahdin ewes to our farm. To appeal to ethnic buyers, it often requires a change in flock management. i love the dorper sheep breed! You can find out more about lambing Dorper sheep through the American Dorper Sheep Breeders Society. An interesting study was done that showed the parasite resistance was higher in the purebred hair sheep over the crossbred shedding sheep. The Dorper has a high rate of lambing and is tolerant of the arid conditions it was developed for in South Africa. They do produce wool, and will need to be shorn annually. The first generation grows quite well due to the heterosis effect, but nearly always has a wool coat. However, as the challenge escalated, parasite resistance was greatest in St. Croix lambs, followed by Katahdin and Dorper lambs. Katahdin Sheep: Facts, Lifespan, Behavior & Care Guide (With Pictures Market Weight/Live/Age: 80 110 lbs / 5.5 6 months. How do you collect wool from self-shearing sheep? We are currently using rams with high shedding scores, while culling heavily on production traits. take it from me, you dont have to worry about anyone getting too fat. The Blackhead Persian is a fat-rumped hair breed from the arid lands of the Middle East. (Weve heard them all.). Two varieties of Dorper Sheep were created: the black headed Dorper and an all white variety, the White Dorper sheep. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 130 140 (Average is 136), Ram = 170 - 200. -. Continue with Recommended Cookies. This breed produces rapid-growing lambs, with most lambs being considered ready for market at 12 weeks of age. Weight Gain/Daily: 0.4 lbs daily with good nutrition. I shear myself and since I wanted to increase the size of my flock I was not looking forward to shearing even more sheep. 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. When the weathers hot and the pastures are dry, their wool animals will be under a tree while the hair animals are out grazing. Do you have to go around picking it up out of the pasture? Bred Ewes Commercial - Market Sheep. The Katahdin is another great dual-purpose breed, producing on average 210 liters of milk per 210 day cycle. He is a native of Germany and lives in the US since 1995. 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. 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. As mentioned earlier, hair sheep breeds are considerably more heat-tolerant than wool breeds. The Dorper carcass has a good conformation and fat distribution. Icelandic Sheep are another popular choice for meat, with ewes weighing an average of 150 pounds at maturity, and rams averaging 200 pounds. Thanks for the belly shaking laugh! Katahdin x Lacaune. These are some of the best reasons to raise Katahdin sheep - though the list is by no means exhaustive! Owning Goats vs. Sheep They can harbor significant worm populations, yet not suffer the same effects a wool animal would. Very interesting and informational! This is inconvenient since you must pasture ram lambs separately from ewes to prevent unplanned pregnancies. Originating in South Africa, these lovable and attractive sheep tend to come with a lot more pros than cons. Market Weight/Live/Age: 110 lbs / 7 8 months, Professional Horticulture and Pest Services, Breed Directory- American Sheep Industry Association, Hair Sheep Production and Marketing Including Some Breeds, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, 1010 N. McDuff Avenue Coat & Color: Most of the individuals are white, but tan and spotted ones exist. Im sure by now you have an answer. For example, we consider time spent worming, shearing, docking and trimming hooves as merely maintaining an operation. Originally, the established buyers at auctions resisted hairsheep in general and they fetched lower prices in places like New Holland. and, as such, the data are estimates. Consider the pros and cons featured above before making your decision. No difference was noted between the purebred breeds of hair sheep. Dorper Sheep Breed - Everything You Need to Know - Domestic Animal Breeds Best Sheep for Milk: 7 Best Sheep Breeds for Milk - Savvy Farm Life Sheep and cattle have different grazing needs and preferences, and the sheep will clean up the growth that doesnt appeal to the cows. Katahdins are alert, protective mothers. i do not want to cull her from the flock! Due to the high amount of red muscle fibers, the Icelandic sheep has a uniquely tender and fine texture. You are using an out of date browser. 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. Royal White Sheep: Characteristics, Uses, Origin - ROYS FARM We prefer using forage to produce lambs rather than wool. They grow quickly and reach market weight early. 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. Just weaned 530 lambs .If we can get some weight on them worth $200+ in current market. The low maintenance qualities of Katahdins allow us the time to do so. 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. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Because of their hair and their low fat content, this breed is known to produce both flavorful and mild meat. They are excellent mothers. Mexicans prefer a larger lamb, and let nothing go to waste. 80 pounds at 90 days can be expected. Produce large amount of milk. Average weight for the Cheviot is 130 175 pounds. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. At that weight the fat cover did indeed get too much. JavaScript is disabled. Many ethnic groups want a much different lamb or goat than has been marketed in the past. They were called Africans at the time. The Katahdin breed has hair instead of wool, and that means less work, according to the couple, who raise the sheep near Perham, Minnesota. Dorper - Wikipedia Although the breed was created in the 1930s, it is still fairly new to the US. What is the Ideal Weight for a Market Lamb? - Cornell Small Farms As you can see in picture Spike has some tiny horn buds; they have never grown . In winter puts on coat that is shed as temperatures increase. Fact: Katahdin sheep, at least, will thrive from hot, humid Florida to the western provinces of Canada. At 90 days, weve had November-December lambs on pasture, hay and whole grain (corn or milo) average 75 pounds. Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. Why they are Crossed Required fields are marked *. Thank you for stopping by, and best of luck with your farm! Like most of the sheep listed here, Texel lambs reach market size quickly, by 5-6 months. 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. Because of the wool, the Icelandic sheep do need to be sheared once to twice per year. The entire belly is black including areas between the legs, nose and forehead. $300. Katahdin Dorper cross ram lambs for Sale - Highnote Alabama The Dorper Sheep is a hardy resilient South African breed of sheep that can withstand various harsh climates, environments and intensive operations. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Ewes have good mothering ability and lamb easily unassisted. Its also common to see animals of up to a year old climbing to the top of a big bale of hay. Though large in size, Hampshire sheep tend to be a docile and easy-going breed. my ewe with CL has had her first batch of lambs last month and she is a really good mother! There are many great options for meat-producing sheep. 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. Variance in RT in periods 3 and 4 ranked St. Croix < Dorper < Katahdin. "Shearing the wool was tough," he recalls, but the price paid for wool nearly covered feed costs. In our operation, that sheep breed is the Katahdin sheep. You have to pay to have it sheared once a year. Lambing Interval:It ranges from 6 to 8 months. Generally, hair breeds are more heat tolerant than wool breeds. Coat & Color: The coat can be reddish brown, tan or yellow. Hair sheep dont bring as much on the slaughter market. The hair sheep breeds lamb easily in the pasture and the lambs gain weight rapidly and develop to maturity quickly. As wild sheep were domesticated, breeding for increased wool came into practice. Good luck! The coat is a mixture of hair and wool and will shed from animal in late spring/early summer. Mutton is meat that comes from mature sheep over the age of 1 year old. The Katahdin hair sheep is the fastest growing breed in the United States. While Hampshire sheep are seasonal breeders, they tend to have a longer breeding season than others. Animal Breeding Abstracts. For more on the differences, plus potential pros and cons between the breeds, read on. Fact: In central Missouri, raising sheep for wool has been a losing proposition for a number of years. The bodybuilder of the sheep world, the Texel sheep is known for its heavily-muscled and sturdy frame. Special Notes The Dorper sheep are very hardy animals. 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. We are currently running 130 registered ewes with 10 commercial ewes that will be dispersed this year. Feeding small quantities throughout numerous feedings helps reduce the incidence of bloat and/or diarrhea. Twinning is common and triplets and quadruplets are not rare. This breed is medium-sized and is hardy with a high-quality carcass. It is more flighty than Dorper, Kathadin and St. Croix breeds. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 170 200 (can be less than 170lb), Ram = 220 250. Of the ewe lambs exposed, 95 percent gave birth at the age of 11-13 months. Ewe's Dorper/Katahdin Cross | Mysite They are seasonal breeders, conceiving in the Fall and Winter. Just a little more "stingy" than the Dorper (and I am talking more for working them with dogs). 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. What sheep breeds are best for meat? Id recommend getting in touch with the author of this article- he might have some good insight for you. There are three main reasons to raise hair sheep. Hair Sheep: No Wooling Around - Hobby Farms Like the Dorper, Dorset ewes are able to breed year-round and are not limited to a typical Fall/Winter breeding season. University of South Dakota research found it requires 250-300 pounds of dry matter forage to produce each pound of wool. Updated: Monday, February 06, 2023 02:46 PM. They were an excellent choice for this as they seldom bothered the pine trees. 109:265-275. Hampshire sheep can live in almost any climate, making them a hardy breed. Some European sheep genetics were incorporated into the African sheep to arrive at the existing hair breeds mentioned above. They reach sexual maturity early, and will remain fertile for a longer period of time than many other breeds. Ulf Kintzel owns and manages White Clover Sheep Farm (www.whitecloversheepfarm.com) in Rushville, NY where he breeds grass-fed White Dorper sheep. 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. The American Sheep Industry recognizes 47 different sheep breeds in the US, with hundreds more recognized internationally. Royal White Sheep Breed - Learn Natural Farming 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. An older, fat sheep is likely where the reputation of nasty mutton comes from. Why Katahdin x Dorper Crosses At Stoneheart Farms we specialize in Katahdin x Dorper crosses for exceptional market lambs and for replacement breeding stock. The best genetics wont keep an animal from starving to death. $300. The shedding ability of this breed varies greatly. You can even crossbreed them to develop unique varieties for your farm or homestead. Tunis sheep are able to thrive in a variety of climates, and tolerate both heat and cold well. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 100 130, Ram = 120 150. Breed utilization for meat production in sheep. It is now farmed in other areas as well, and is the second most common sheep breed in South Africa. Two weeks later, the ewes hadnt lost any body condition. Sheep Breeds - UF/IFAS Extension Katahdin sheep and Dorper are bred as meat sheep breeds. This increases the risk of falls and injury, which can be expensive to fix. Breeding Season: They breed throughout the year. Best Meat Cross-Breed with Katahdin Ram - Permies (A friend with Polypay and Katahdin sheep has had the same experience. We have all three breeds. Required fields are marked *. Im very new here currently living in Virginia. 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. Dorper-sired. Although the breed was created in the 1930s, it is still fairly new to the US. Hampshire sheep have a muscular and stocky build, and are comparative to the Suffolk in size. 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. Tunis sheep are known to have an excellent flavor of meat. They do produce wool, and need to be shorn on a regular basis. Our first lamb - Katahdin Dorper Cross - Farm Homestead Because of their hair, they do not produce the lanolin that can lend gaminess to the meat, giving it a milder flavor. Suffolk ewes reach between 180-250 pounds, while rams can top out at 350 pounds. Dorper sheep do well in warm, arid climates, but can tolerate cold as well. I no longer sell at livestock auctions mainly because I dont have to. Effects of high heat load conditions on body weight, feed intake A unique characteristic about the Dorper is that they do not breed seasonally, instead they are able to breed year-around. Viewing a thread - Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep You can also use them for multiple income streams thanks to their excellent meat and milk production. The Royal White produces more mea t than Katahdin sheep and Dorper sheep. Reaching maturity earlier than many breeds, the Suffolk lamb will reach an average of 116 pounds by 100 days of age. Last but not least on our list is the Cheviot breed. When I look out in the paddock it looks like hell on earth but at the same time beautiful. The Dorper is a South African breed of domestic sheep developed by crossing Dorset Horn and the Blackhead Persian sheep.The breed was created through the efforts of the South African Department of Agriculture to breed a meat sheep suitable to the more arid regions of the country. Katahdin sheep and Dorper are bred as meat sheep breeds. 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. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Ewes are docile with good mothering ability. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Extremely reactive to dogs and cats usually as though they wish to flee. 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 . May-June lambs on pasture alone (10-13percentprotein and 60-65percent DOM) will average 45 pounds. This information is important to producers and extension agents with an interest in hair sheep. There are a few characteristics you will want to look for when choosing a meat-producing sheep. Bosnians want 60-pound animals while Muslims often prefer 60-80 pound animals. Hair sheep have some attributes that make them admirably suited to fill market niches or fit varying production systems in Florida. You can check my blog at Merino sheep for sale. A qualityregistered lamb will bring triple the fat lamb price. Dorper sheep originated in South Africa and were the result of crossing Dorset Horn with Blackheaded Persian sheep. One needs to do a detail review of the information related to the hair breed one wishes to raise. Not only do they suffer fewer complications during birthing compared to some other breeds, but they also give birth to multiple lambs. Its important to have an animal thats pure or unaltered for sacrifice in observance of many holidays. If there were a hair Hampshire or Suffolk that would do a better job, wed be raising them. ~Ann, Your email address will not be published. Coat & Color: Solid white or white with black head. Tunis are solid breeders and excellent mothers. Although they are one of the newest sheep breeds introduced in America, Katahdin sheep have quickly become a popular choice. The Katahdin sheep is listed as a Recovering heritage breed on the ALBC Conservation Priority List. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Ewes will breed back before the lambs are weaned. The majority of ewe lambs are sold as registered breeding stock; the majority of ram lambs are sold for slaughter. Hair coat becomes thick and long as cold weather sets in and the length decreases. Non selective grazers that perform well under both extensive and intensive production systems. Several myths still surround hair sheep. Culling the genetic faults and only keeping the best rams for breeding will ensure a good future for any new hair sheep breeds. Katahdin Sheep - MAD-KETTLE FARM - KATAHDIN SHEEP AND DEXTER CATTLE Very tolerant of the humid hot conditions in the Carribean andSomolia, Blackhead Persians have a white body and black head. Publication : USDA ARS These White Dorper female replacement lambs already look very much like purebred White Dorpers Photographer: Ulf Kintzel. Dorper's are by far the closest hair sheep to the wool breed. The saving grace are our Dorpers. There were sequential 2-wk. Breed ideal for pasture lambing and grass/forage based management systems. Despite being a hairsheep, White Dorpers do not lack winter hardiness Photographer: Ulf Kintzel. These include: Dorper sheep dont produce much milk or wool, which means raising them for meat is your only option. Hair sheep breeds simply shed their hair covering and fleecy undercoat when the weather warms. Katahdin sheep are one of several hair breeds, the most common of which includes Barbados Black Belly, St. Croix and Dorper sheep. Environmental Adaptability: Tolerant of both high and low temperatures. I have no way of weighing him. Average Birth Weight (Lbs): 7.5 lbs for single, 6.5 7 for twins, and less for triplets. Are Llamas Dangerous? We both work off thefarm; therefore time is a commodity in short supply. Apparently, Momma Kathadin doesnt wait around to see what happens when Mr. Coyote shows up for dinner. Have been buying in feed since the start of 2018. Unfortunately, Mr. Piel did not live long enough to see his breed reach having a registry and breed standards. It is actually a hybrid which is bred for producing more meat, less fat and less wool with the goal of producing lean tender meat. The customers, including the many ethnic customers, caught up and appreciate the milder flavor of hairsheep. Sheep 201: Hair sheep primer The breed has a thick, well muscled carcass and extended period of fertility. Choosing breeding stock with this in mind can avoid this problem. The Cheviot sheep is best suited for northern, colder climates, and does not tolerate heat as well. 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. 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. Our flock is managed through pasture rotation from April until late December. Best Sheep Breeds For the Extreme Heat and Cold - J&R Pierce Family marina@mgdorpers.com. How about Field Corn! Katahdin meat tends to be leaner than many other breeds. 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. When comparing weights, keep in mind we live in north central Missouri. Dorper Vs Katadhin Sheep: Which Is Better For Your Farm? After 13 years of medical education and military service they landed in Maine to put down roots. Check out my article Best Sheep for Wool: Top 8 Sheep Breeds for Wool. Lamb chops from Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix lambs were similar to those from Dorset-sired, Dorper-sired, or Katahdin. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Animals dont grow as fastbut dont need to with milder winters and longer growing season. Hair sheep primer . However, in older hairsheep the flavor is still impressive due to the genetic factor. Romanov The Romanov breed may not be as popular as the Katahdin and Dorper, but it holds a very important value in this . In this useful guide, youll discover the pros and cons of both Dorper and Katahdin sheep, alongside advice on choosing the best type for your farm or homestead. About - stoneheartfarm Lamb comes from a sheep under the age of 1 year old. Staking livestock to a rope and expecting them to clear vegetation is ineffective and can result in . Lambs are efficient producers of meat. In California prices for hair sheep have surpassed prices for wool sheep and in New Holland they are catching up. As we said in the introduction, if youre looking to earn multiple income streams from your sheep, youll probably find Katahdins to be the better option. Sheep will eat woody vegetation but prefer grass and weeds on the ground. These slaughter lambs sell comparable to pure Katahdin sheep per pound unless theyre full of cockleburs and briars. They also do well eating the vegetation that other species reject. Since hair sheep dont have a heavy wool coat, they cant take the cold. I would love to get in touch with the author personally. Signatures of selection in sheep and goats infected with Haemonchus He can be reached by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com or by phoneduring calling hour specified on his answering machineat 585-554-3313. I have a pet ram lamb, texel dorset cross I was told. Did you know that Dorper sheep dont need to be sheared? Yes, you can milk Dorper sheep! Carcass Composition of Hair Sheep Breeds and Crosses - Virginia Tech They also benefit from a long productive life, giving you maximum bang for your buck. 2022 Cornell Small Farms. best beef in the word is lamb,i like lamb beef spesialis sate.. Amazing sheep, been breeding the Dorper for sometime now and i must say their adaptability is really outstanding. Resistance to Internal Parasites in Lambs of Hair Sheep Composite Breeds 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. 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. Dries Wiese, the owner and Studbreeder, was 9 years old when his father bought him his first .
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