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. Thanks, I am considering starting a small Dorper and or Katahdin herd to raise meat for the Western New York market. Thank you. Since todays hair sheep breeds are developed from hardy ancestors, they are considered easy keepers because they have a natural resistance to disease and parasites. Why they are Crossed Waco Childbirth Education 74 subscribers Subscribe 127 Share. 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. Black color covers belly, inside legs and thighs and extends up to the neck. The Dorper grows more wool but self-sheds annually. This breed was developed after 20 years of breeding and selection. It is now farmed in other areas as well, and is the second most common sheep breed in South Africa. I shear myself and since I wanted to increase the size of my flock I was not looking forward to shearing even more sheep. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Our spring lambs on pasture alone (17-20 percent protein and 65-72percentdigestible organic matter-DOM) will average 55-60 pounds. take it from me, you dont have to worry about anyone getting too fat. History tells us our present-day sheep are derived from the wild Mouflon sheep, among others, that grew coarse hair with a downy undercoat. Thirdly how long after separation to market. Hair sheep dont bring as much on the slaughter market. In addition, there is almost no incidence of flystrike with hair sheep breeds. Have good flocking instinct. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Many Greeks eat lamb for Easter, which is not always the same date as the traditional Easter. Work with your states department of agriculture if youre interested in export sales. Parasite resistance and reproductive efficiency is very high, making the Katahdin a valued breed in the hair sheep industry. $300. Consider the pros and cons featured above before making your decision. He seems pretty big to me, but since he is my first sheep, I dont know what he should weigh. 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. JavaScript is disabled. High latitudes (up north) have a short growing season with long daylight periods and fast grass growth that is high in protein and low in fiber. 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. They were called Africans at the time. link to Are Llamas Dangerous? Like most of the sheep listed here, Texel lambs reach market size quickly, by 5-6 months. He can be reached at 585-554-3313 or by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com. 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." At 90 days, weve had November-December lambs on pasture, hay and whole grain (corn or milo) average 75 pounds. At Kettle Haven Ranch we specialize in Katahdin x Dorper crosses for exceptional market lambs and for replacement breeding stock. They will definitely get too fat. Our flock is managed through pasture rotation from April until late December. Dorper sheep do well in warm, arid climates, but can tolerate cold as well. We may be partial to the breed, but were not raising a hobby flock. Because of their hair and their low fat content, this breed is known to produce both flavorful and mild meat. There are three main reasons to raise hair sheep. This may or may not be the case in other states. Dorper lambs have amazing growth rates when young. This is down to the fantastic range of benefits they deliver. Newbie trying to decide (Katahdin, Dorper, or St. Croix) Do you have to go around picking it up out of the pasture? Sheep are one of the most versatile producers when it comes to livestock animals. The entire belly is black including areas between the legs, nose and forehead. However, in older hairsheep the flavor is still impressive due to the genetic factor. we really enjoy that black baby lamb and she is 9 months old now. Some general information on hair sheep is found on the next page. The Katahdin sheep breed was developed in Maine to help clear brush in powerline corridors. However, if you are not intending to feed grain and if you dont intend to grow your lambs beyond 100 lbs. After 22 years they are well rooted in South Paris. 13 Hair Sheep Breeds You Should Know About - The Homesteading Hippy My friend also mentioned his Katahdin-Dorper lambs are much fatter when born than Polypays. . Dorset ewes weigh approximately 150-200 pounds, with the rams weighing on average 275 pounds. As they say, the proof is in the pudding eating. You will always need to make compromises if you choose to have a purebred flock. The coat is a mixture of hair and wool and will shed from animal in late spring/early summer. Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. Feel free to contact the author, Ulf Kintzel, at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com for further information. Keeping Boer Goats: 5 Biggest Disadvantages, 4 Best Places with Sheep for Sale in Missouri, They are easy to breed and commonly give birth to multiple lambs, They arent great for milk or wool production, They dont require shearing, tail docking, or crutching, Lambs take a little longer than some breeds to reach market weight. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Sheep Breeds - UF/IFAS Extension Dorper Sheep - Sheep Breed Series 22,946 views Mar 15, 2020 417 Dislike Share The Grass-fed Homestead 75.8K subscribers Shepherdess Tess talks about her Dorper sheep breeding program and how. Lambing %: Average lambing rate is between 150 and 250%. The breeds of hair sheep that are of importance in Florida include Katahdin, St. Croix, American Blackbelly, and Barbados Blackbelly. Get Shipping Quotes Opens in a new tab. You will find the occasional larger patch of wool in your pasture and you will definitely find wool and hair on the trees where the sheep rub. Some general information on hair sheep is found on the next page. 2023, Countryside - All Rights Reserved, Raising Sheep For Profit: Milking Sheep Offer a Small Farm Alternative, Raising Sheep: Buying and Caring for Your First Flock, Raising Sheep For Profit: How to Sell Raw Fleece, Raising Sheep For Profit: A Cattle Man's View. A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. 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. Breeders often use less-expensive Katahdin ewes to initiate an upgrading program with registered Dorper as the final goal. Unfortunately, as the percentage of Dorper increases, more wool is found in their coat and some animals lose some of their shedding ability. Ewes with young lambs show protective behavior and may raise front feet to strike dogs and cats when confronted. The breed was created by crossing Dorset and Blackheaded Persian sheep. Some European sheep genetics were incorporated into the African sheep to arrive at the existing hair breeds mentioned above. Westexas. 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. I no longer sell at livestock auctions mainly because I dont have to. If my product would be poorly finished or wouldnt taste good, I surely would lose customers. There are very few disadvantages of keeping Katahdin sheep. Sales of sheep meat and sheep breeding stock are on the rise in the United States and Canada. I had on occasion lambs butchered that exceeded 110 pounds. 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. That applies to purebred WD market lambs as well. we find dorpers a great sheep to raise and to eat.. had ribs tonight and use the grease on the dry dog food.. dogs love it.. They do produce wool, and will need to be shorn annually. Dorper Vs Katahdins | Homesteading Forum Not only do they suffer fewer complications during birthing compared to some other breeds, but they also give birth to multiple lambs. . There was only the body fleece that needed shearing. At that weight there are no problems with too much fat cover whatsoever. Katahdin ewes weigh around 125-185 pounds, and rams average around 200 pounds. Breeding Season: They breed throughout the year. Mutton is meat that comes from mature sheep over the age of 1 year old. Making Natural Clothing Dye From Vegetables. As we train border collies for sheep and cattle trials and we need a few different types of sheep. Farmersville. Baby Sheep: What a Baby Sheep is Called & Other Fun Facts. Coat & Color: Solid white or white with black head. Dorsets commonly produce twins and even triplets. This is a very good article to read and understand the secrets of Raising Katahdin Sheep. If this same time is spent building homestead fencing, watersystems, improving lambing or handling facilities, its improving an operation. I sell a lot of culled ewes as roasts, ground meat, stew meat and various sausages. This information may be used to compare breeds of hair sheep. Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. For specific questions, please contact the author. Fact: Katahdin sheep, at least, will thrive from hot, humid Florida to the western provinces of Canada. For example, cold wind and warm sun quickly result in herd finding shelter under conditions when woolen sheep remain in the open. The carcass of the Cheviot tends to be plump and meaty, with just enough fat to produce a succulent meat. Parasitol. Origin: This breed is sometimes referred to as Barbados Blackbelly, but it is different from the polled Barbados as a result of crosses with European breeds. 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 Katahdin breed was developed in the United States by Michael Piel. They grow quickly and reach market weight early. Since Missouri has more Katahdin sheep than any other state, the majority of export animals come from here. We have a dispute between the members about feeding sheep after working them. To appeal to ethnic buyers, it often requires a change in flock management. 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. I usually harvest my lambs between 80 and 90 lbs. There is no such thing as an ideal breed. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Ewes have good mothering ability and lamb easily unassisted. The mild and yet rich flavor of these culled ewes is remarkable and does not at all remind anyone of mutton. View Details. Hair coat becomes thick and long as cold weather sets in and the length decreases. I have no way of weighing him. Demand for Dorper breed, and specifically the black head Dorper, is experiencing an unprecedented surge here in the USA. A year and many dollars later, they cant understand why the rams offspring doesnt grow any faster than the rest of their animals. Differences in the taste of sheep breeds - BC Boards 2 are Katahdin and 2 are katahdin/dorper crosses. a From the review: Notter, g. 1978. Hairsheep breeds such as the Barbados Blackbelly and St.Croix are largely found in these tropical areas of the world. Im Carmella. Sure enough, hes been trimming hooves. This breed averages in maturity at around 175 220 pounds. They are easy care sheep that divert most of their energy into producing meat instead of wool. Lamb chops from Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix lambs were similar to those from Dorset-sired, Dorper-sired, or Katahdin. Dorpers Our goal is to develop a flock of productive, easy-care sheep that are scrapie resistant, require no shearing and that reach market specs on grass. Sold all our cattle. As wild sheep were domesticated, breeding for increased wool came into practice. Photo courtesy of: Dr. Stephan A. Wildeus. 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. Suffolk meat is hailed as lean and somewhat sweet, with a good muscle to fat ratio. He experimented with breeding them to meat breeds, finally reaching a point, in the 1970s, where he named the breed, Katahdins after a nearby mountain in his home state of Maine. Our spring lambs require 4-5 pounds of dry matter forage to produce each pound of gain. Hampshire sheep can live in almost any climate, making them a hardy breed. Members List; Customize Search Results Format: Quick Search: Flock ID: Member Name: Farm Name: State: Records 1 - 100 of 1770 records found matching your criteria: All Records : Page 1 of 18 Go To Page . Disposition & Mothering Ability: Extremely reactive to dogs and cats usually as though they wish to flee. Some breeders have been working on crosses between traditional wool meat breeds and hair sheep breeds. 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. This increases the risk of falls and injury, which can be expensive to fix. Dorset lambs, like the Suffolk and Dorper, mature quickly and are market-ready earlier than many other breeds. More on that subject later. The breed was developed in the mid-1950s by crossing imported St. Croix Sheep and several other breeds, including the Suffolk Sheep. 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. The main differences between these two breeds are the colors available, and what they can be used for. Im sure by now you have an answer. 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. Blackbellys have hair and not wool, making them a low-maintenance breed. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. That's interesting! If breeding your own sheep for sustainable meat production, you will also want to know the breeding habits of each breed, and whether the sheep produces wool or grows hair this is helpful to know when it comes to maintenance. Fact: While its true that Barbados and St. Croix are small animals (ewes 80-110 pounds), few commercial breeders raise them. PDF Factors Affecting the Palatability of Lamb Meat Of the ewe lambs exposed, 95 percent gave birth at the age of 11-13 months. Unsave Save. They are also well suited to survive in the arid extensive regions of South Africa. I have a very small Dorper ewe, she is 7 months old but very small. The bodybuilder of the sheep world, the Texel sheep is known for its heavily-muscled and sturdy frame. 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. if any one would be interested in buying some good quality Dorpers check out my website MGDorpers.com it is comming out soon! The flavor of the market lambs is in my opinion mostly influenced by the fact that these lambs are grass-fed. 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. Wondering What to Feed Sheep? I could always pick out the dorper/katahdin crosses. i want buy texel sheep unit so please tell how can buy it this breed. 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. Katahdin is probably the more economical choice, however, namely because they can produce both meat and milk. This article first appeared in the May/June 2010 Hobby Farms. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 70 -120, Ram = 110 140. 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. The reproductive rate of true hair sheep is excellent. Some Ideas About Crossbreeding Sheep | Oklahoma State University I've seen some really nice Dorper/Katahdin crosses. (A friend with Polypay and Katahdin sheep has had the same experience. Dorper Sheep Breed Information, History & Facts - RaisingSheep.net They require less worming medications as a general rule. The hair sheep breeds lamb easily in the pasture and the lambs gain weight rapidly and develop to maturity quickly. For example, we consider time spent worming, shearing, docking and trimming hooves as merely maintaining an operation. All Rights Reserved | Website by Maple Creative, God Save the Beef: Trials of Sustainable Farming in the UK . Since hair sheep dont have a heavy wool coat, they cant take the cold. Dorset lambs, like the Suffolk and Dorper, mature quickly and are market-ready earlier than many other breeds. Dries Wiese, the owner and Studbreeder, was 9 years old when his father bought him his first . 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. The leather from hair sheep grain is finer than the leather from wool breeds and brings in a larger amount of money. Produce large amount of milk. Updated: Monday, February 06, 2023 02:46 PM. Your email address will not be published. Weight Gain/Daily: 0.57 lbs under intensive production. My friend used to manage a flock of purebreds of both breeds and crosses. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'savvyfarmlife_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_9',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-savvyfarmlife_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');This breed is also exceptionally hardy, able to thrive in both the cold, and the hot, humid climates in which many farmers struggle to raise sheep, making it a good choice for almost any climate in the United States. Dorpers grow a combination of hair and wool, and shed naturally meaning no shearing is required. You are using an out of date browser. A qualityregistered lamb will bring triple the fat lamb price. After being in the business of raising wool sheep of various kinds for two decades, I decided in 2005 to start with hair sheep. Although they are one of the newest sheep breeds introduced in America, Katahdin sheep have quickly become a popular choice. Katahdins have generated a great deal of interest from all parts of North America.
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