Hairbreeds have many positive traits that make them an ideal animal for small farms, homesteads, and of course, larger commercial farms. 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 . Considered to be the 2nd most popular breed of sheep in the US, the Dorset sheep is another solid meat-producer. Non selective grazers that perform well under both extensive and intensive production systems. I cant speak to colder temperatures, taking zero degrees without a problem is good enough for me. To properly flush a ewe, she should be on an upward nutritional plane and gaining weight. It may not display this or other websites correctly. I'll be using my Barbados Blackbelly ram on my BB ewes and also a few Kathadin ewes. Hi currently running flock of 600. Theyre too small to be of commercial value. When I look out in the paddock it looks like hell on earth but at the same time beautiful. We prefer using forage to produce lambs rather than wool. Animals dont grow as fastbut dont need to with milder winters and longer growing season. The low maintenance qualities of Katahdins allow us the time to do so. The second reason I chose Dorper over St. Croix is desirability. The Katahdin breed has hair instead of wool, and that means less work, according to the couple, who raise the sheep near Perham, Minnesota. Blackbellys have hair and not wool, making them a low-maintenance breed. Get Shipping Quotes Opens in a new tab. They also tend to be highly mobile, which means they will climb on top of anything. Purebred Dorper rams can reach a live-weight of 90-120 kg and ewes 50-80kg. We are interested purchasing Katahdin sheep and found this article very helpful. Keep reading to learn more about the best sheep breeds for meat. Q. Due to the high amount of red muscle fibers, the Icelandic sheep has a uniquely tender and fine texture. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Ewes are docile with good mothering ability. Katahdin meat tends to be leaner than many other breeds. Hair sheep breeds simply shed their hair covering and fleecy undercoat when the weather warms. 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. 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. 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. link to Are Llamas Dangerous? Anymore (at least in Missouri) its the carcass quality that sets the price. Thanks, Noela. Icelandic Sheep are excellent and reliable breeders, breeding seasonally in the Fall to Winter. Ewes will breed back before the lambs are weaned. Crossing these breeds with woolen breeds for efficient meat production does hold some potential. They also benefit from a long productive life, giving you maximum bang for your buck. Dorper sheep are exceptionally popular amongst both hobbyists and commercial homesteads. The Dorper sheep is a meat sheep breed. As a bit of trivia, the majority of cull ewes the U.S. exports go to the Mexico City area. Feed conversion is good since these sheep fatten easily on less than ideal pasture and forage. Coat & Color: Most of the individuals are white, but tan and spotted ones exist. 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. May 23, 2011 #3 Beekissed Herd Master Joined Aug 3, 2008 Messages 3,634 Reaction score 5,536 Points 453 Location mountains of WV Later on I found out that this was the faster route to accomplish shedding in the offspring. 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. And does anyone have experience with katahdin ewes on dorper bucks . Dorset ewes weigh approximately 150-200 pounds, with the rams weighing on average 275 pounds. 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. What is worse, however, is the fact that there are breeders who do not select for shedding ability and for the show ring instead. When the pastures are poor, hair animals hold their body condition much better. While many of the characteristics hair animals possess appeal to the hobby flock owner, we expect an animal to make us money; if it doesnt, its gone. The bodybuilder of the sheep world, the Texel sheep is known for its heavily-muscled and sturdy frame. November/December 2003 and regularly vetted for accuracy. Two varieties of Dorper Sheep were created: the black headed Dorper and an all white variety, the White Dorper sheep. 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. The Katahdins in the study had a consistently less barber pole worm infestation rate compared to the Dorper and Dorset crosses. There were sequential 2-wk. Thirty percent of the ewes were first-time lambers, having an average of 1.2 lambs/ewe. The outside temp is above 85* sheep are heaving and panting rapidly. You can check my blog at Merino sheep for sale. About. If you consider hairsheep like White Dorpers in the future dont forget to ask the breeder about the shedding ability of their flock! Cheviots are easy to breed, meeting a 90% lambing average without assistance. Im sorry I cannot help you. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 70 -120, Ram = 110 140. take it from me, you dont have to worry about anyone getting too fat. After 22 years they are well rooted in South Paris. Your email address will not be published. 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. Difference in color is a matter of preference. This breed is adaptable and can live in many different climates. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Extremely reactive to dogs and cats usually as though they wish to flee. This is inconvenient since you must pasture ram lambs separately from ewes to prevent unplanned pregnancies. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 130 140 (Average is 136), Ram = 170 - 200. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Variance in RT in periods 3 and 4 ranked St. Croix < Dorper < Katahdin. 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. Disposition & Mothering Ability: This breed is a bit flighty. I am new to the sheep business so I am concerned that she will never be large enough to breed. Sheep are like lawnmowers, while goats are more like Bush Hogs (for the uninitiated, that's the brand name for a machine designed to clear heavy brush). Are Llamas Dangerous? 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 . This information is important to producers and extension agents with an interest in hair sheep. Dorpers grow a combination of hair and wool, and shed naturally meaning no shearing is required. You will always need to make compromises if you choose to have a purebred flock. The shedding ability of this breed varies greatly. I direct sell a great number of lambs. Quite a few meat producers are finding better success with the hair breeds of meat sheep than with meat goats. Feel free to contact the author, Ulf Kintzel, at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com for further information. http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/Accursed/Smileys/waiting-bored-waiting-boy-smiley-em.gif, Birthing, Weaning, and Raising Young Sheep. 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. The first rams I purchased were of outstanding shedding ability. Blackbellys often breed easily and well, usually birthing multiple lambs in one breeding. Average Birth Weight (Lbs): 7.5 lbs for single, 6.5 7 for twins, and less for triplets. -. I no longer sell at livestock auctions mainly because I dont have to. Photo courtesy of: Dr. Stephan A. Wildeus. 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 They are well adapted to a variety of climatic and grazing conditions. we really enjoy that black baby lamb and she is 9 months old now. This makes them one of the more profitable breeds to specialize in. 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. In conclusion, based on RT and RR, resilience to high HLI conditions ranked St. Croix > Katahdin > Dorper, with lowest . They are easy care sheep that divert most of their energy into producing meat instead of wool. Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. However, if you are not intending to feed grain and if you dont intend to grow your lambs beyond 100 lbs. Parasitol. Breeding stock is selected under rigorous criteria, including parasite resistance, hair coat, growth characteristics on grass alone and general thriftiness. The American Sheep Industry recognizes 47 different sheep breeds in the US, with hundreds more recognized internationally. This is a very old article and I do not have the contact info for John. How about Field Corn! Why they are Crossed Waco Childbirth Education 74 subscribers Subscribe 127 Share. It is now farmed in other areas as well, and is the second most common sheep breed in South Africa. 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. The cross breeding results in the best of both breeds but also in the benefits of heterosis, commonly known as hybrid vigor. It is a very hardy breed and is disease resistant. When youre raising sheep for meat, the wool is a by-product. "We liked their look," Ruby puts in. 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. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 170 200 (can be less than 170lb), Ram = 220 250. More on that subject later. Bred Ewes Commercial - Market Sheep. Typically, the 75 percent Dorper crosses will exhibit the Dorper coloration and conformation. To be successful, you must sell quality, and I stress quality animals; send anything else to slaughter. A common lamb on good pasture will perform better than Super Lamb on poor pasture. The first generation grows quite well due to the heterosis effect, but nearly always has a wool coat. 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 both work off thefarm; therefore time is a commodity in short supply. Have been buying in feed since the start of 2018. Question is this common? $300. McKinney. If I took the chance and had her bred would she be able to carry her lamb/s? That is normal. At Kettle Haven Ranch we specialize in Katahdin x Dorper crosses for exceptional market lambs and for replacement breeding stock. This article first appeared in the May/June 2010 Hobby Farms. 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). There are a lot of advantages to keeping Dorper sheep in the US. 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. so so far we are separating her and letting the pus drain . The lambing rate is not as high as other hair breeds. Four years ago we began converting all our cropland into pasture and expanded the flock. Sold all our cattle. Future importations to university breeding flocks led to the development of the American Blackbelly sheep breed. All Rights Reserved | Website by Maple Creative, buildwithmaple.com. We find its seldom necessary to trim hooves. In a second study, Dorper or Dorset sired lambs were compared to Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix or Katahdin lambs. Farmersville. Ewes typically reach sexual maturity by 7 months. Rather than stay in a group, they will scatter in all directions like a covey of quail. This market presented difficulties such as lambing in the dead of winter, having lambs large enough (especially when Passover comes early) and pooling with your neighbors to find enough lambs for a truckload. J. Anim Sci 77:215-222. The Barbados Blackbelly got its name because of the characteristic black belly on an otherwise red brown coat. 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. Required fields are marked *. i do not want to cull her from the flock! Can someone tell me a few of the pros and cons for both dorper sand katahdin. We have just over 1200 breeding ewes & aim for around 2000 when things get better. They can harbor significant worm populations, yet not suffer the same effects a wool animal would. Our experienced ewes averaged 2.1 lambs/ewe born with 1.9 weaned. The breeds of hair sheep that are of importance in Florida include Katahdin, St. Croix, American Blackbelly, and Barbados Blackbelly. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hi Mary. Dorper ram purchased from Juan Navarro of J.N. The phrases youll hear most often is either mutton or lamb. They grow quickly and reach market weight early. Nick. Katahdin Pedigrees Public Area Members List. Since Missouri has more Katahdin sheep than any other state, the majority of export animals come from here. In lambs, grain feeding versus grass-fed has a greater influence on flavor than the differences in breeds. (A friend with Polypay and Katahdin sheep has had the same experience. Despite being a hairsheep, White Dorpers do not lack winter hardiness Photographer: Ulf Kintzel. Crossing these breeds with woolen breeds for efficient meat production does hold some potential. We are currently running 130 registered ewes with 10 commercial ewes that will be dispersed this year. We let them be sheep and just help them along. 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. 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. 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. This information may be used to compare breeds of hair sheep. 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). The Katahdan tend to be a little more "active", in general not quite as docile, though many would disagree but they are still quiet. Katatdin x Dorper . The Katahdin sheep breed was developed in Maine to help clear brush in powerline corridors. I think that we are asking for bloat. A maternal breed, Katahdin ewes breed well with the Dorper rams to produce a meaty but feminine lamb. 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. Dorpers are theoretically better muscled, meatier carcass, faster growing, but we haven't seen that to be true. Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. Westexas. He is a native of Germany and lives in the US since 1995. Like the Dorper, Dorset ewes are able to breed year-round and are not limited to a typical Fall/Winter breeding season. My friend also mentioned his Katahdin-Dorper lambs are much fatter when born than Polypays. The carcass of the Cheviot tends to be plump and meaty, with just enough fat to produce a succulent meat. "Dorper sheep are barrel-shaped with a well-muscled back end. Most lambs are considered market-ready by 9-12 weeks. Dorper fullbloods, Katahdin fullbloods and St Croix fullbloods, We have a nice big fullblood dorper ram that we are putting over the St Croix and the Katahdin. Some hair breed rams are long-bodied which can create a lengthy birthing scenario for the ewe. Wondering whether to add Dorper or Katahdin sheep to your homestead? for info and videos along with books and much more! Romanov The Romanov breed may not be as popular as the Katahdin and Dorper, but it holds a very important value in this . Its important to have an animal thats pure or unaltered for sacrifice in observance of many holidays. Hi just wondering it may be a silly question anyways can you milk Dorper 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. Breeding Season: They breed throughout the year. Another goodproductfromhair sheep is leather. This breed averages in maturity at around 175 220 pounds. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. Dorper sheep have a distinctive appearance: black heads and white bodies. Why they are Crossed - YouTube 0:00 / 4:43 Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. 1999. Environmental Adaptability: Withstand heat and cold well, and part of this adjustment to extremes is behavioral. What Needle Felting Supplies Do You Use for Sculpting? They do produce wool, and will need to be shorn annually. Now meat sheep producers are lucky if wool prices cover . Our spring lambs on pasture alone (17-20 percent protein and 65-72percentdigestible organic matter-DOM) will average 55-60 pounds. Jacksonville, FL 32254. The Dorper has been very effective in increasing the growth rate, carcass size and quality of all the typical hair-type breeds such a the Barbados, Katahdin, St. Croix, the Mexican Pelibuey and other breeds that are considered exotic types. He is 8 months old. A type of hair breed, Katahdin sheep originate in the United States. You are using an out of date browser. Our flock is content to sleep outside in the coldest weather and will have unmelted snow on their backs like a wool animal. What sheep breeds are best for meat? These slaughter lambs sell comparable to pure Katahdin sheep per pound unless theyre full of cockleburs and briars. As you can see in picture Spike has some tiny horn buds; they have never grown . View Details. However, in older hairsheep the flavor is still impressive due to the genetic factor. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare productive performance of F 1 Dp vs . However, they are suitable for markets requiring smaller carcass size. 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. I sell a lot of culled ewes as roasts, ground meat, stew meat and various sausages. Just a little more "stingy" than the Dorper (and I am talking more for working them with dogs). I would also be interested in bred young ewes. I have no way of weighing him. When comparing weights, keep in mind we live in north central Missouri. 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: No difference was noted between the purebred breeds of hair sheep. 2022 Cornell Small Farms. Materials and methods His information is given at the conclusion of the article, pasted below. They do produce wool, and will need to be shorn annually. Bred sheep/ewes (Dorper and Katahdin), bred to a show ram. Lambing %: Given an average lambing percent of 150 and 3 lambing in 2 years, Dorper will produce 2.25 lambs on an annual basis. That's interesting! The trend is now reversed. They have incredible growth of lambs at butcher weight within 6-8 months with carcass weights in the 45-60 lb range. 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. Hair coat becomes thick and long as cold weather sets in and the length decreases. marina@mgdorpers.com. Today I have 1/2, 3/4, 7/8th, and 15/16th White Dorper sheep. Now you have a good idea of the pros and cons of both Dorper and Katahdin sheep, which one is right for your homestead? 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. The number of feedings can be reduced over time to twice a day by 3-4 weeks of age. Hair sheep primer . Though size and time to mature are not the Blackbellys strongest points, there are many advantages to raising this hardy breed of sheep. Staking livestock to a rope and expecting them to clear vegetation is ineffective and can result in . For a number of years, there has been a good export market for ewe lambs going to Mexico. The breed was created by crossing Dorset and Blackheaded Persian sheep. The only problem with colesterol is that the big pharma found a new drug to sell. But the pasture littered with wool as I had feared just did not happen. Kt ewes under low-input semiarid conditions of northern Mxico. Are Llamas Dangerous? Continue with Recommended Cookies. The St Croix are also quiet, but seem to be next on the ladder. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Thirdly how long after separation to market. The Gayogoh:n are members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign Nations with a historic and contemporary presence on this land. Some breeders have been working on crosses between traditional wool meat breeds and hair sheep breeds. As mentioned earlier, hair sheep breeds are considerably more heat-tolerant than wool breeds. Compared to other breeds, these sheep are relatively new, dating back to the 1950s. A ewes wool will pay her winter feed bill. Because of their hair, they do not produce the lanolin that can lend gaminess to the meat, giving it a milder flavor. Last but not least on our list is the Cheviot breed. Im Carmella. They require less worming medications as a general rule. Just weaned 530 lambs .If we can get some weight on them worth $200+ in current market. Lamb chops from Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix lambs were similar to those from Dorset-sired, Dorper-sired, or Katahdin. The desire to climb mandates the use of a bale ring to prevent excessive waste. Hairsheep breeds such as the Barbados Blackbelly and St.Croix are largely found in these tropical areas of the world. In fact, when we have pot roast from a culled ewe I can still fool my wife into thinking we had lamb for dinner. However, Texel sheep breed strongly seasonal, are heat sensitive, have at times problems lambing due to the broad head and shoulders, and they need shearing. Crossing with the Dorper led tothis larger hair breed. I usually harvest my lambs between 80 and 90 lbs. Sheep are one of the most versatile producers when it comes to livestock animals. I would love to get in touch with the author personally. . and, as such, the data are estimates. The Dorper is highly adaptable and does well in harsh conditions. I forgot to ask for notification via e-mail, so I am reposting my questions. Shear force values were greatest, tougher, for Dorset-sired than Dorper-sired or Katahdin lambs. The customers, including the many ethnic customers, caught up and appreciate the milder flavor of hairsheep. They are excellent foragers. Katahdin sheep will strip the bark from cedars, pines and any deciduous tree that has smooth, immature bark. Wondering What to Feed Sheep? Lambing Interval:It ranges from 6 to 8 months. Their hair falls off naturally during the year, making them an easy breed to care for. Unlike meat goats, hair sheep are resistant to many of the parasites shed by cattle. BREEDING DORPER SHEEP They shed their winter coats during spring and early summer. 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. I belong to a herding club in Hawaii. This breed tolerates both heat and cold making them a good choice for most climates. There are a few characteristics you will want to look for when choosing a meat-producing sheep. Why Katahdin x Dorper Crosses. Suffolk ewes have an excellent lambing rate of 180%, making them a solid choice for breeding. Some Ewes shed coats after second lambing. Reaching maturity earlier than many breeds, the Suffolk lamb will reach an average of 116 pounds by 100 days of age. 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. Good luck! Dorper-sired lambs produce carcasses that are most similar in weight and muscling to that of wool breeds, but generally have greater fatness when slaughtered at the same age. Many of the Dorper you see have been crossed with Katahdin sheep for several reasons. Dorset sheep thrive in a wide variety of climates, and being wool-producers, they will need to be sheared annually. 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. It should be kept in mind that performance varies greatly with genetic . ByBasil Bactawar, UF/IFAS Duval County Extension Service. Dorper lambs tolerated the infection more so than Suffolk (wool) lambs when fecal egg counts were low. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 120 - 160, Ram = 180 250. What You Need To Know, link to Goats vs Sheep: Profit, Care & Behavioral Differences, Best Sheep for Wool: Top 8 Sheep Breeds for Wool. 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. They will stand on their hind feet like goats to strip any low hanging limbs of their leaves. And some shed one year but not totally the next for no apparent reason at all. The mild and yet rich flavor of these culled ewes is remarkable and does not at all remind anyone of mutton. There are black headed Dorpers (most common) and white Dorpers (harder to find). What You Need To Know. Suffolk meat is hailed as lean and somewhat sweet, with a good muscle to fat ratio. Royal Whites are more recent in the hair sheep scene and development is still ongoing. mantap ! The percentage of 15/16 is considered purebred. Twinning is common and triplets and quadruplets are not rare. For example, cold wind and warm sun quickly result in herd finding shelter under conditions when woolen sheep remain in the open. Market Weight/Live/Age: 80 110 lbs / 5.5 6 months.
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