Katahdin Dorper The Dorper is a mutton breed of hair sheep developed in the 1930s. Lambing %: Average lambing rate is between 150 and 250%. Hi Qazi, However, in older hairsheep the flavor is still impressive due to the genetic factor. Feed conversion is good since these sheep fatten easily on less than ideal pasture and forage. They are easy care sheep that divert most of their energy into producing meat instead of wool. I would love to get in touch with the author personally. Consider the pros and cons featured above before making your decision. The outside temp is above 85* sheep are heaving and panting rapidly. Lambing %: Lambing rates vary from 150% to 250% with 3 lambing every 2 years not uncommon. Dorset lambs, like the Suffolk and Dorper, mature quickly and are market-ready earlier than many other breeds. Twinning is common and triplets and quadruplets are not rare. The low maintenance qualities of Katahdins allow us the time to do so. They also do well eating the vegetation that other species reject. Culling the genetic faults and only keeping the best rams for breeding will ensure a good future for any new hair sheep breeds. Breeding stock is selected under rigorous criteria, including parasite resistance, hair coat, growth characteristics on grass alone and general thriftiness. The hair sheep breeds lamb easily in the pasture and the lambs gain weight rapidly and develop to maturity quickly. FLAVOR How do you collect wool from self-shearing sheep? 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. If there were a hair Hampshire or Suffolk that would do a better job, wed be raising them. Sheep Breeds - North Florida Livestock Agents' Group - UF/IFAS As with any young growing animal, the weight gains of a Katahdin lamb increase as the protein and digestibility of the forage increases. People in the Midwest or southern states see this and make a trip to Alberta to purchase a super ram. Best Meat Cross-Breed with Katahdin Ram - Permies We have just over 1200 breeding ewes & aim for around 2000 when things get better. JavaScript is disabled. These slaughter lambs sell comparable to pure Katahdin sheep per pound unless theyre full of cockleburs and briars. Katahdin would adapt best under humid, warm conditions, while Dorper would be best suited for dry arid and semiarid rangeland conditions. The second reason I chose Dorper over St. Croix is desirability. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. In many cases, farmers are adding hair sheep to pastures with cattle to maximize efficiency and for parasite control. Hello! Parasite resistance and reproductive efficiency is very high, making the Katahdin a valued breed in the hair sheep industry. While Hampshire sheep are seasonal breeders, they tend to have a longer breeding season than others. Good luck! Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 70 -120, Ram = 110 140. I usually harvest my lambs between 80 and 90 lbs. Theyre too small to be of commercial value. my ewe with CL has had her first batch of lambs last month and she is a really good mother! We also sell breeding stock locally. I have no way of weighing him. 1999. What sheep breeds are best for meat? 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. I am trying to locate a couple of nice ewe lambs now. Your email address will not be published. Environmental Adaptability: Tolerant of both high and low temperatures. In 2001, my friend with Polypay paid $2 to shear $.50 worth of wool per animal. The Katahdin breed was developed in the United States by Michael Piel. Ewes will breed back before the lambs are weaned. They naturally shed their wool throughout the seasons. For more on the differences, plus potential pros and cons between the breeds, read on. What You Need To Know. It is now farmed in other areas as well, and is the second most common sheep breed in South Africa. When I look out in the paddock it looks like hell on earth but at the same time beautiful. The Dorper has a high rate of lambing and is tolerant of the arid conditions it was developed for in South Africa. Like most of the sheep listed here, Texel lambs reach market size quickly, by 5-6 months. Research Activity | Parasite Immunology | West Virginia University I love lambs Does lambs has less cholesterol than goat? Ewes will weigh an average of 190 pounds, with rams reaching up to 300 pounds. He farms in the Finger Lakes area in upstate New York. Katahdin Pedigrees Public Area Members List. The Royal White sheep shed their wool naturally, it saves the cost of shearing. Katahdin is probably the more economical choice, however, namely because they can produce both meat and milk. Photo courtesy of: Dr. Stephan A. Wildeus. Despite being a hairsheep, White Dorpers do not lack winter hardiness Photographer: Ulf Kintzel. Originally publishedin sheep! The American Sheep Industry recognizes 47 different sheep breeds in the US, with hundreds more recognized internationally. 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. The Katahdins in the study had a consistently less barber pole worm infestation rate compared to the Dorper and Dorset crosses. An older, fat sheep is likely where the reputation of nasty mutton comes from. The bodybuilder of the sheep world, the Texel sheep is known for its heavily-muscled and sturdy frame. Required fields are marked *. How often do dorpers have breeding problems and we will then have to pull the lambs? They were significantly more reasonably priced and for practical matters were the same. Some general information on hair sheep is found on the next page. The Blackbelly is a smaller breed of sheep, with ewes maturing at around 100 pounds, and rams weighing on average 120 pounds. 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. This breed produces rapid-growing lambs, with most lambs being considered ready for market at 12 weeks of age. This is down to the fantastic range of benefits they deliver. I saw that the author is from Central Missouri, which is where we live. When the price of raw wool fleece is below the cost of shearing the animal, this is not cost effective. There is the wool type and the hairtype with the hairtype being slightly less meaty but far better shedding. Katahdin-sired lambs typically produce carcasses that are heavier in weight and more muscular than St. Croix or Barbados Blackbelly when harvested at a similar age. Our young Katahdins can be difficult to move. Coat & Color: Most of the individuals are white, but tan and spotted ones exist. Hi Joanne. The Royal White produces more mea t than Katahdin sheep and Dorper sheep. Lambing %: Given an average lambing percent of 150 and 3 lambing in 2 years, Dorper will produce 2.25 lambs on an annual basis. Some Ideas About Crossbreeding Sheep | Oklahoma State University Get Shipping Quotes Opens in a new tab. Purebred Dorper rams can reach a live-weight of 90-120 kg and ewes 50-80kg. Sales at the 2022 mid America Dorper Show nearly broke $1 MILLION with the top Dorper ewe bringing $20,000 and ram $12,800. Origin: This breed was developed or evolved on the Eastern Caribbean Island of Barbados. Katahdins often breeding out of season. The Dorper carcass has a good conformation and fat distribution. Why Katahdin x Dorper Crosses At Stoneheart Farms we specialize in Katahdin x Dorper crosses for exceptional market lambs and for replacement breeding stock. Dorper lambs have amazing growth rates when young. They also benefit from a long productive life, giving you maximum bang for your buck. Since hair sheep dont have a heavy wool coat, they cant take the cold. There is a growing market demand for high-quality, naturally-fed lamb. They are the generally more fertile in hot humid regions and show greater tolerance to parasites than woolen breeds. 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. Just weaned 530 lambs .If we can get some weight on them worth $200+ in current market. Katahdins tend to birth twins, with triplets and quadruplets occurring often with good flock management. They do produce wool, and will need regular shearing. He is a native of Germany and lives in the US since 1995. They are prolific breeders as well, often producing twins. The ancestry is believed to be of both African hair sheep and European breeds. Their main advantage is that they adapt well to hot humid climate where woolen breeds do not thrive well. Libyans prefer old worn out buck goats for their stronger flavor. I would say try the dorpers.. we only raise a few for there is only us out here. 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 had a Texel flock of 100 breeding ewes at the time when I bought my first White Dorper rams. As we train border collies for sheep and cattle trials and we need a few different types of sheep. 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. I sell a lot of culled ewes as roasts, ground meat, stew meat and various sausages. Why Katahdin Sheep - stoneheartfarm As one of the most populous sheep breeds in America, the Suffolk is a popular choice for meat producers. Docking tails is unnecessary, although you still see some old timers that dock just because they always have. Although the breed was created in the 1930s, it is still fairly new to the US. In addition, there is almost no incidence of flystrike with hair sheep breeds. I direct sell a great number of lambs. Katahdin Pedigrees ~ Members List Ulf owns and operates White Clover Sheep Farm and breeds and raises grass-fed White Dorper sheep and Kiko goats without any grain feeding and offers breeding stock suitable for grazing. The purpose of the breed is to efficiently produce meat. In colder zones they produce a very heavy winter coat that is shed in spring. You can even crossbreed them to develop unique varieties for your farm or homestead. Parasitol. A large-framed, late-maturing breed will not have the necessary carcass quality at these weights, whereas Katahdin sheep or Dorpers will. The Dorper and the Katahdin were derived from very different types of hair sheep. Ulf owns and operates White Clover Sheep Farm and breeds and raises grass-fed White Dorper sheep and Kiko goats without any grain feeding and offers breeding stock suitable for grazing. Crossing these breeds with woolen breeds for efficient meat production does hold some potential. I really like all three breeds. Katahdin sheep and Dorper are bred as meat sheep breeds. The Barbados Blackbelly got its name because of the characteristic black belly on an otherwise red brown coat. What is worse, however, is the fact that there are breeders who do not select for shedding ability and for the show ring instead. They grow quickly and reach market weight early. 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. The Kasteel White Dorper Stud farm lies in an arid area of the Republic of South Africa, called the Great Karoo. Most hair sheep breeds will lamb out of season without resorting to hormone therapy. I no longer sell at livestock auctions mainly because I dont have to. Some are calling these shedding sheep. Ta Paul.5. or you can contact me at- 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. This article first appeared in the May/June 2010 Hobby Farms. That's interesting! 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. Four years ago we began converting all our cropland into pasture and expanded the flock. They grow quickly and reach market weight early. Although the breed was created in the 1930s, it is still fairly new to the US. The main differences between these two breeds are the colors available, and what they can be used for. Breed utilization for meat production in sheep. Because of their hair, like the Dorper they do not produce lanolin which will give their meat a milder taste. Hope this helps! They are also well suited to survive in the arid extensive regions of South Africa. It improves from year one to year two of age but can again be reduced by external factors like disease or weight loss. ByBasil Bactawar, UF/IFAS Duval County Extension Service. I have some St Croix and they are quite large. With an annual rainfall of approximately 175mm (7 inches), the grazing is mainly scrubland with a stocking rate of 1 LSU per 32 hectare. Weve found that while genetics play an important role in weight gains, flock management, parasite control, forage quality and forage availability seem to be more important when it comes to the bottom line. Lamb chops from Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix lambs were similar to those from Dorset-sired, Dorper-sired, or Katahdin. Since these breeds are so adaptable, when found in colder climates, the hair sheep adapt by growing a thicker undercoat. They will stand on their hind feet like goats to strip any low hanging limbs of their leaves. We are fortunate that buyers for the large ethnic market in St. Louis often attend sales. The wool and hair comes mainly off in such small pieces that it is like a cow or a goat shedding you dont worry about their hair littering the pasture either. "We liked their look," Ruby puts in. Katahdin x Texel. While they always have access to a wind break when the wind howls, they are not being housed with the exception of those that lamb during the winter. Well, at least Katahdins, St Croix and barbs. 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. Blackbellys often breed easily and well, usually birthing multiple lambs in one breeding. As well as a hand full of peanuts every day. However, they all shed around the belly, legs, head, and all the other places that would otherwise prolong shearing. Characteristics - St Croix Hair Sheep Breeders Hampshire sheep can live in almost any climate, making them a hardy breed. Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. Royal White (Dorper x St.Croix) In our city the sheep are raised very much because the grass is still fertile, Kita wajib menjaga kesuburan tanaman agar domba bisa makan dengan cukup dan bisa berkembang biak dengan baik oleh peternak, In addition to the delicious meat, lamb can also be made of skin for a high-value jacket material, Dorper Sheep: Truths and Myths Tempat jasa sablon kaos murah Kaos sablon Bandung Pusat tempat Pembuatan Kaos sablon Baju Distro di Bandung Konveksi Buat Kaos Kelas Reuni Polo Bandung kawasan Jakarta pusat Berkualitas cetak Screen Printing sablon Digital Custom manual Rubber Plastisol komunitas Reuni Jaket satuan grosiran Kemeja ~ Alamat Tempat Sablon Kaos. Thank so much for this information. 1. I belong to a herding club in Hawaii. I forgot to ask for notification via e-mail, so I am reposting my questions. 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. The breed was created by crossing Dorset and Blackheaded Persian sheep. They started with an idle, tired farm and through years of blood, sweat and tears have transformed it into a vibrant . This ancient breed has thrived in warm climates, continued to produce twins and good carcass weights. Sheep and cattle have different grazing needs and preferences, and the sheep will clean up the growth that doesnt appeal to the cows. Work with your states department of agriculture if youre interested in export sales. 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. I used purebred as opposed to full blood White Dorper rams to upgrade my flock. The percentage of 15/16 is considered purebred. take it from me, you dont have to worry about anyone getting too fat. There are a lot of advantages to keeping Dorper sheep in the US. Dorper lambs have amazing growth rates when young. They still dont take a huge amount of time to reach it, but it is something to be aware of if you are looking for fast production. At Kettle Haven Ranch we specialize in Katahdin x Dorper crosses for exceptional market lambs and for replacement breeding stock. 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. Our flock is content to sleep outside in the coldest weather and will have unmelted snow on their backs like a wool animal. Katahdins have hair and not wool, which means they are a low-maintenance breed that will shed their hair naturally. Another goodproductfromhair sheep is leather. Making Natural Clothing Dye From Vegetables. Lambs are efficient producers of meat. Can you advise on the availability of a good ram and 10-12 ewe lambs this Spring. But the pasture littered with wool as I had feared just did not happen. But the dorpers always have say ten % that need shearing still. Later on I found out that this was the faster route to accomplish shedding in the offspring. To be successful, you must sell quality, and I stress quality animals; send anything else to slaughter. marina@mgdorpers.com. Ewes typically reach sexual maturity by 7 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. The Katahdin is another great dual-purpose breed, producing on average 210 liters of milk per 210 day cycle. Bred sheep/ewes (Dorper and Katahdin), bred to a show ram. We are interested purchasing Katahdin sheep and found this article very helpful. The Dorper is highly adaptable and does well in harsh conditions. In a second study, Dorper or Dorset sired lambs were compared to Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix or Katahdin lambs. 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. Hampshire sheep have a muscular and stocky build, and are comparative to the Suffolk in size. Wondering What to Feed Sheep? When youre raising sheep for meat, the wool is a by-product. Black color covers belly, inside legs and thighs and extends up to the neck. It is also exceptionally low-maintenance. 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. Best guess is he is 175-200 lbs. Dorper lambs tolerated the infection more so than Suffolk (wool) lambs when fecal egg counts were low. This information is important to producers and extension agents with an interest in hair sheep. including sheepamong them an extra-special Dorper-Katahdin lamb named Mopple. Good set of ewes. Unfortunately, as the percentage of Dorper increases, more wool is found in their coat and some animals lose some of their shedding ability. Animals dont grow as fastbut dont need to with milder winters and longer growing season. I like the Dorper temperament, generally they are a pretty docile breed. How to Use Goats and Sheep to Clear Brush - Modern Farmer Not only do they suffer fewer complications during birthing compared to some other breeds, but they also give birth to multiple lambs. However, they have been cross-bred with other breeds over the years to develop the modern breed we see today. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Ewes are docile with good mothering ability. You can find out more about lambing Dorper sheep through the American Dorper Sheep Breeders Society. 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 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. I raise all my sheep and lambs strictly on pasture and feed no grain whatsoever. Dorset lambs, like the Suffolk and Dorper, mature quickly and are market-ready earlier than many other breeds.