Mexicans prefer a larger lamb, and let nothing go to waste. Katahdins are awesome and productive mothers plus they are a very hardy breed and the Dorper will put more size on the meat sheep. Thanks, Noela. There is a growing market demand for high-quality, naturally-fed lamb. The only things to consider include: The fact Katahdin sheep dont produce wool isnt necessarily a disadvantage. They have less subcutaneous fat on average and are a bit leaner because there is less feathering in the muscles. A type of hair breed, Katahdin sheep originate in the United States. No Need to Shear One of the most obvious benefits of raising Katahdin sheep is that they do not need to be sheared on an annual or twice-per-year basis. Katahdins are docile, medium-sized sheep; ewes weigh 125 to 185 pounds, rams 180 to 250 pounds. Hair sheep have some attributes that make them admirably suited to fill market niches or fit varying production systems in Florida. Unfortunately, as the percentage of Dorper increases, more wool is found in their coat and some animals lose some of their shedding ability.
if any one would be interested in buying some good quality Dorpers check out my website MGDorpers.com it is comming out soon! Dorsets commonly produce twins and even triplets. Market Weight/Live/Age: 80 110 lbs / 5.5 6 months. 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. Staking livestock to a rope and expecting them to clear vegetation is ineffective and can result in .
Dorper - Wikipedia Lambing %: Given an average lambing percent of 150 and 3 lambing in 2 years, Dorper will produce 2.25 lambs on an annual basis. The Katahdin Sheep is a domestic breed developed in Maine in the United States and named after the highest peak in Maine, Mount Katahdin. Several myths still surround hair sheep.
About - stoneheartfarm Hair Sheep Breeds - The Right Choice for You? - Countryside Owning Goats vs. Sheep While Im sure Ill rile a lot of Dorper breeders, Ive seen too many that had been sheared before a sale, which defeats the purpose of a hair animal. I raise all my sheep and lambs strictly on pasture and feed no grain whatsoever. That is normal. This, alongside their easy-going dietary needs, really cut down the cost of keeping them.
Katahdin Sheep - Kiko and Boer Goats They will stand on their hind feet like goats to strip any low hanging limbs of their leaves. After 22 years they are well rooted in South Paris. Katahdins tend to birth twins, with triplets and quadruplets occurring often with good flock management. How do you collect wool from self-shearing sheep? Cole, N.A. Crossbred individuals tend to be more vigorous, more fertile . Due to its heavily muscled carcass, the Texel sheep is a very popular meat breed. His website address is www.whitecloversheepfarm.com. Have been buying in feed since the start of 2018. Some are calling these shedding sheep. Dorper sheep do well in warm, arid climates, but can tolerate cold as well. The flavor of the market lambs is in my opinion mostly influenced by the fact that these lambs are grass-fed. And some shed one year but not totally the next for no apparent reason at all. There is the wool type and the hairtype with the hairtype being slightly less meaty but far better shedding. Theyre too small to be of commercial value. (I know, Im not a good farmer) This breed averages in maturity at around 175 220 pounds. The saving grace are our Dorpers.
Katahdin Sheep: Facts, Lifespan, Behavior & Care Guide (With Pictures Why they are Crossed Waco Childbirth Education 74 subscribers Subscribe 127 Share. As they say, the proof is in the pudding eating. Mutton is meat that comes from mature sheep over the age of 1 year old. including sheepamong them an extra-special Dorper-Katahdin lamb named Mopple. We may be partial to the breed, but were not raising a hobby flock. He can be reached by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com or by phoneduring calling hour specified on his answering machineat 585-554-3313. Check out my article Best Sheep for Wool: Top 8 Sheep Breeds for Wool. Dorset lambs, like the Suffolk and Dorper, mature quickly and are market-ready earlier than many other breeds. This information may be used to compare breeds of hair sheep. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 100 130, Ram = 120 150. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Thirty percent of the ewes were first-time lambers, having an average of 1.2 lambs/ewe. Q. In a second study, Dorper or Dorset sired lambs were compared to Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix or Katahdin lambs. Our spring lambs on pasture alone (17-20 percent protein and 65-72percentdigestible organic matter-DOM) will average 55-60 pounds. And does anyone have experience with katahdin ewes on dorper bucks . To learn more about how you can make money off of sheep, read my article What Do Sheep Produce? The purpose of the breed is to efficiently produce meat. Are you interested in raising sheep for meat? Fencing. This means that, theoretically, a Dorper ewe can produce a lamb (or 2 or 3) every 8 months. This may be due to the fact that wool can hide a lot of rib bones and other defects, while with a hair sheep what you see is what you get. 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. Quite a few meat producers are finding better success with the hair breeds of meat sheep than with meat goats. Thanks for the belly shaking laugh! Crossing these breeds with woolen breeds for efficient meat production does hold some potential. Katahdins are medium size, hardy, low-maintenance, and have a high-quality carcass weight. One of the oldest breeds of sheep, the Tunis is still a favorite breed for meat production. In our operation, that sheep breed is the Katahdin sheep. Feed conversion is good since these sheep fatten easily on less than ideal pasture and forage.
Research Activity | Parasite Immunology | West Virginia University For registered breeding stock, permanent wooly fibers are a no-no. Katahdins often breeding out of season.
Dorper Sheep Breed Information, History & Facts - RaisingSheep.net or you can contact me at- I'd go with Dorper ram on Katahdin ewes. Fact: Katahdin sheep, at least, will thrive from hot, humid Florida to the western provinces of Canada. Sheep and cattle have different grazing needs and preferences, and the sheep will clean up the growth that doesnt appeal to the cows. For example, cold wind and warm sun quickly result in herd finding shelter under conditions when woolen sheep remain in the open. What You Need To Know, link to Goats vs Sheep: Profit, Care & Behavioral Differences, Best Sheep for Wool: Top 8 Sheep Breeds for Wool. We normally worm our lambs 3-4 times a summer and the ewes not at all. Ultimate Guide.
Effects of high heat load conditions on body weight, feed intake Technical Abstract: Making Natural Clothing Dye From Vegetables. What sheep breeds are best for meat?
WHY I DON'T RAISE ST. CROIX SHEEP | DORPER vs. ST. CROIX as Meat Breeds Why they are Crossed - YouTube 0:00 / 4:43 Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. Sold all our cattle. 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. Since hair sheep dont have a heavy wool coat, they cant take the cold. 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 . My wife and I feel theres no best breed, but rather which breed best fits your operation. Despite its origins in a cold northern climate, the Katahdin is remarkably well-suited to warm weather living. Dorper's are by far the closest hair sheep to the wool breed. Katahdins often breeding out of season. a From the review: Notter, g. 1978. Rather than stay in a group, they will scatter in all directions like a covey of quail. We find its seldom necessary to trim hooves. 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. They do produce wool, and need to be shorn on a regular basis. Question is this common? This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.
PDF Factors Affecting the Palatability of Lamb Meat Hair sheep breeds (Katahdin, St. Croix, Barbados) generally have much greater parasite resistance than wooled breeds, especially after one year of age. These include: Dorper sheep dont produce much milk or wool, which means raising them for meat is your only option. Weight Gain/Daily: 0.57 lbs under intensive production. The entire belly is black including areas between the legs, nose and forehead. Your email address will not be published. They like large groups of lambs on each farm, prefer solid colors, registered and must be enrolled in the scrapie program. As mentioned earlier, hair sheep breeds are considerably more heat-tolerant than wool breeds. $300. At that weight there are no problems with too much fat cover whatsoever. 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. Dries Wiese, the owner and Studbreeder, was 9 years old when his father bought him his first . Texel sheep do best in colder climates, as they are exceptionally cold-hardy and have been known to be sensitive to the heat. After being in the business of raising wool sheep of various kinds for two decades, I decided in 2005 to start with hair sheep. Origin: Developed in the Virgin Islands for crosses of West African hair sheep and Wiltshire Horn. We saw their ad and went to look at their Dorper rams. We have all three breeds. Produce large amount of milk. These breeds are called hair sheep because the coat consists of hair more like that of cattle and many goats rather than wool. In 2001, my friend with Polypay paid $2 to shear $.50 worth of wool per animal. This breed is adaptable and can live in many different climates. For instance, they have extended breeding season, and can be used to produce lambs to be marketed when lamb prices are usually high thereby reducing marketing risks. Apparently, Momma Kathadin doesnt wait around to see what happens when Mr. Coyote shows up for dinner. The leather from hair sheep grain is finer than the leather from wool breeds and brings in a larger amount of money. its ok to wean the lamb as soon as possible. He is a native of Germany and lives in the US since 1995. How often do dorpers have breeding problems and we will then have to pull the lambs? Vet. Suffolk ewes have an excellent lambing rate of 180%, making them a solid choice for breeding. By John Kirchhoff For many people, mentioning hair sheep evokes either I wouldnt have anything else or a No way would I have them response. For us, the Katahdin sheep breed fits our operation and our philosophy quite well. While weve missed out on export sales the last several years because of retaining ewes to increase flock numbers, Mexican buyers will be coming by this spring. I dont want him to get unhealthily fat. Crossing these breeds with woolen breeds for efficient meat production does hold some potential. 1999.
Sheep: Dorper, White Dorper and Australian White Sheep Exports Arguments exist concerning the exact origin of the Barbados Blackbelly evidence is shown for both Africa or Barbados. I sell a lot of culled ewes as roasts, ground meat, stew meat and various sausages. There are a few characteristics you will want to look for when choosing a meat-producing sheep. we really enjoy that black baby lamb and she is 9 months old now. In many cases, farmers are adding hair sheep to pastures with cattle to maximize efficiency and for parasite control.
Katahdin Sheep - MAD-KETTLE FARM - KATAHDIN SHEEP AND DEXTER CATTLE My customers are also distributors of various sizes who sell mainly at restaurants and their private customers. Libyans prefer old worn out buck goats for their stronger flavor. The Gayogoh:n are members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign Nations with a historic and contemporary presence on this land. Can you advise on the availability of a good ram and 10-12 ewe lambs this Spring. (A friend with Polypay and Katahdin sheep has had the same experience. Ewes will weigh an average of 190 pounds, with rams reaching up to 300 pounds. He is 8 months old. This breed was imported in the US in 1904 and was crossed with Mouflon (wild sheep), Rambouillet and other European breeds to produce what is known as American Blackbelly. (Allardt) "Spike" is a 3 year old ram. Dorpersare known for their fast weight gains as lambs. Non selective grazers that perform well under both extensive and intensive production systems. When comparing weights, keep in mind we live in north central Missouri. 2. The Dorper originated in South Africa from crosses between the Dorset and the Blackhead Persian. The bodybuilder of the sheep world, the Texel sheep is known for its heavily-muscled and sturdy frame. Last but not least on our list is the Cheviot breed. I have a pet ram lamb, texel dorset cross I was told. We have a dispute between the members about feeding sheep after working them. To showcase the commercial qualities of our animals, all breeding stock we sell comes directly from pasture, having received no special treatment. There was only the body fleece that needed shearing. When the price of raw wool fleece is below the cost of shearing the animal, this is not cost effective. Relative resistance of Dorper crossbred ewes to gastrointestinal nematode infection compared with St. Croix and Katahdin ewes in the southeastern United States. The Dorper have a black head extending in the neck, with a white body. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 130 140 (Average is 136), Ram = 170 - 200. Yes, you can milk Dorper sheep! A year and many dollars later, they cant understand why the rams offspring doesnt grow any faster than the rest of their animals.
Royal White Sheep: Characteristics, Uses, Origin - ROYS FARM (Icelandic sheep grow a double coat.) The Dorper X Katahdin are very popular and providing you use a good quality ram, I would suggest fullblood or purebred, they do tend to really stamp the babies with their type. Our spring lambs require 4-5 pounds of dry matter forage to produce each pound of gain.
Publication : USDA ARS The Dorper Sheep is a hardy resilient South African breed of sheep that can withstand various harsh climates, environments and intensive operations. If my product would be poorly finished or wouldnt taste good, I surely would lose customers. The St Croix are also quiet, but seem to be next on the ladder. The Barbados Blackbelly got its name because of the characteristic black belly on an otherwise red brown coat. Dorpers are theoretically better muscled, meatier carcass, faster growing, but we haven't seen that to be true. Good set of ewes. The main differences between these two breeds are the colors available, and what they can be used for. Two weeks later, the ewes hadnt lost any body condition. There are a lot of advantages to keeping Dorper sheep in the US. Secondly at what age are you removing lambs from mothers . ~Ann, Your email address will not be published. Katahdin ewes weigh around 125-185 pounds, and rams average around 200 pounds. The Royal White produces more mea t than Katahdin sheep and Dorper sheep. If there were a hair Hampshire or Suffolk that would do a better job, wed be raising them. Unlike meat goats, hair sheep are resistant to many of the parasites shed by cattle. Any sheep can technically produce meat, but if youre looking to raise sheep for commercial meat production, youll want to make sure you get a good return on investment.
Hair Sheep: No Wooling Around - Hobby Farms They grow quickly and reach market weight early. Katahdin x Lacaune. Today I have 1/2, 3/4, 7/8th, and 15/16th White Dorper sheep. Icelandic Sheep are another popular choice for meat, with ewes weighing an average of 150 pounds at maturity, and rams averaging 200 pounds. There are black headed Dorpers (most common) and white Dorpers (harder to find). Work with your states department of agriculture if youre interested in export sales. One in particular is more like a paint horse. Market Weight/Live/Age: 60 80 lbs / 9 month. Hi Mary. Youll find these sheep to have an easy-going temperament, and they tend to produce leaner meat with even fat distribution. Difference in color is a matter of preference. Research has shown Dorper have good parasite tolerance or resilience rather than resistance. Due to the high amount of red muscle fibers, the Icelandic sheep has a uniquely tender and fine texture. How about Field Corn! http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/Accursed/Smileys/waiting-bored-waiting-boy-smiley-em.gif, Birthing, Weaning, and Raising Young Sheep. Other than a few lambs for Hispanic weddings, we sell our slaughter animals through the local auction barn. Ta Paul.5. Sales of sheep meat and sheep breeding stock are on the rise in the United States and Canada. In fact, when we have pot roast from a culled ewe I can still fool my wife into thinking we had lamb for dinner. Anymore (at least in Missouri) its the carcass quality that sets the price. 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 . These include: The fact Dorper sheep are easy to breed is a huge advantage. You are using an out of date browser. Early maturing Terminal cross lambs. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'savvyfarmlife_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_11',105,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-savvyfarmlife_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');Considered to be the 2nd most popular breed of sheep in the US, the Dorset sheep is another solid meat-producer.