I think that we are asking for bloat. Some of the ancestors of these breeds originated in Africa and were brought to the Caribbean Islands, Central America and northern South America during the 18th and 19th century. Thanks for the belly shaking laugh! $300. I've seen some really nice Dorper/Katahdin crosses. Of the ewe lambs exposed, 95 percent gave birth at the age of 11-13 months. Animals dont grow as fastbut dont need to with milder winters and longer growing season. We saw their ad and went to look at their Dorper rams. The Dorper grows more wool but self-sheds annually. Do you have to go around picking it up out of the pasture? Katahdins have hair and not wool, which means they are a low-maintenance breed that will shed their hair naturally. 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. Mostly Katahdin hair ewes exposed to Dorper and Katahdin bucks. Sheep and cattle have different grazing needs and preferences, and the sheep will clean up the growth that doesnt appeal to the cows. They do produce wool, and need to be shorn on a regular basis. While both breeds are exceptionally popular in the US, there are some differences between the two. Icelandic Sheep are another popular choice for meat, with ewes weighing an average of 150 pounds at maturity, and rams averaging 200 pounds. Though size and time to mature are not the Blackbellys strongest points, there are many advantages to raising this hardy breed of sheep. Sheep Breeds - UF/IFAS Extension An older, fat sheep is likely where the reputation of nasty mutton comes from. 2. They also benefit from a long productive life, giving you maximum bang for your buck. The bodybuilder of the sheep world, the Texel sheep is known for its heavily-muscled and sturdy frame. Signatures of selection for resistance to - BMC Genomics The Kasteel White Dorper Stud farm lies in an arid area of the Republic of South Africa, called the Great Karoo. This site is owned and operated by Wild Wire Media, LLC. Just weaned 530 lambs .If we can get some weight on them worth $200+ in current market. In addition, shearing is not a requirement thereby reducing operational cost. They were an excellent choice for this as they seldom bothered the pine trees. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'savvyfarmlife_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',106,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-savvyfarmlife_com-leader-1-0');Katahdins are a popular meat breed for sheep farmers. I have found that the Katahdin can be a little taller than many of the Dorper but then it will also depend on what bloodlines. Coat & Color: Most of the individuals are white, but tan and spotted ones exist. You can also use them for multiple income streams thanks to their excellent meat and milk production. Three ewes needed assistance lambing (one got it, the other two didnt and lost their lambs), one of which was 8 years old. Tunis sheep are able to thrive in a variety of climates, and tolerate both heat and cold well. The best genetics wont keep an animal from starving to death. The Blackhead Persian is a fat-rumped hair breed from the arid lands of the Middle East. This information may be used to compare breeds of hair sheep. Theyre too small to be of commercial value. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The breed was created by crossing Dorset and Blackheaded Persian sheep. I have a question. 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 . What happens if you leave the ram out all year round? A common lamb on good pasture will perform better than Super Lamb on poor pasture. Bosnians want 60-pound animals while Muslims often prefer 60-80 pound animals. Can someone tell me a few of the pros and cons for both dorper sand katahdin. They dont need to be sheared, they have a docile temperament making them easy to handle, and they are resistant to disease. Bred sheep/ewes (Dorper and Katahdin), bred to a show ram. Hi Joanne. Katahdin meat tends to be leaner than many other breeds. 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. But the pasture littered with wool as I had feared just did not happen. At that weight there are no problems with too much fat cover whatsoever. However, they have been cross-bred with other breeds over the years to develop the modern breed we see today. Ive spent my entire life around farm animals, and I created Savvy Farm Life to share the helpful information Ive learned over the years. Parasite resistance and reproductive efficiency is very high, making the Katahdin a valued breed in the hair sheep industry. Crossing these breeds with woolen breeds for efficient meat production does hold some potential. They were called Africans at the time. 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. What is the Ideal Weight for a Market Lamb? - Cornell Small Farms mantap ! Are Llamas Dangerous? Early maturing Terminal cross lambs. The Royal White produces more mea t than Katahdin sheep and Dorper sheep. Benefits of This Breed The Dorper are preferred for their excellent feed utilisation and conversion: they don't need shearing, crutching and mulesing, and they are disease resistant. A ewes wool will pay her winter feed bill. Some Ideas About Crossbreeding Sheep | Oklahoma State University No wool to deal with makes perfect economic sense. Have been buying in feed since the start of 2018. Coat & Color: Has a variety of color ranging from black and tan through yellow with variegated mottled pattern. In Canada, Katahdin sheep commonly gain well over a pound per day. Four Barbados Blackbelly sheep arrived in the United States in 1904. Thank you. In lambs, grain feeding versus grass-fed has a greater influence on flavor than the differences in breeds. or you can contact me at- Dorper Sheep Breed Information, History & Facts - RaisingSheep.net Thirdly how long after separation to market. When I look out in the paddock it looks like hell on earth but at the same time beautiful. The phrases youll hear most often is either mutton or lamb. Dorper Vs Katadhin Sheep: Which Is Better For Your Farm? The Royal White sheep shed their wool naturally, it saves the cost of shearing. Most lambs are considered market-ready by 9-12 weeks. They are hardy and do well in range. This breed averages in maturity at around 175 220 pounds. Hi..I have a merino female sheep and I would like to know if its possible to cross it with male dorper sheep to get pregnant .. Do Dorpers only breed seasonally ? LMAO!!!! They like large groups of lambs on each farm, prefer solid colors, registered and must be enrolled in the scrapie program. It was bred from West African hair sheep and is extremely well-adapted to hot, humid conditions. BREEDING DORPER SHEEP Lambing Interval:It ranges from 6 to 8 months. His father Barley ( in picture behind him) is a full blooded Dorper. Fact: Katahdin sheep, at least, will thrive from hot, humid Florida to the western provinces of Canada. 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. We have a dispute between the members about feeding sheep after working them. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. How do you collect wool from self-shearing sheep? In conclusion, based on RT and RR, resilience to high HLI conditions ranked St. Croix > Katahdin > Dorper, with lowest . Anymore (at least in Missouri) its the carcass quality that sets the price. He farms in the Finger Lakes area in upstate New York. A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. 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 The ability of this breed to put grass into weight gain is remarkable. Our experienced ewes averaged 2.1 lambs/ewe born with 1.9 weaned. Difference in color is a matter of preference. This breed is also exceptionally hardy, able to thrive in both the cold, and the hot, humid climates in which many farmers struggle to. I raise all my sheep and lambs strictly on pasture and feed no grain whatsoever. 109:265-275. When the pastures are poor, hair animals hold their body condition much better. 1. Just a little more "stingy" than the Dorper (and I am talking more for working them with dogs). The reproductive rate of true hair sheep is excellent. They can provide you with information pertaining to regulations, health requirements and local export brokers. J. Anim Sci 77:215-222. Did you know that Dorper sheep dont need to be sheared? This composite "easy-care" breed was developed from crosses of African hair sheep and a variety of wool breeds with selection for a hair coat, prolificacy, and conformation. For us, the Katahdin sheep breed fits our operation and our philosophy quite well. About - stoneheartfarm Originating in South Africa, these lovable and attractive sheep tend to come with a lot more pros than cons. In colder zones they produce a very heavy winter coat that is shed in spring. The shedding process may take some getting used to but will not litter your pasture with wool Photographer: Ulf Kintzel. Generally, hair breeds are more heat tolerant than wool breeds. and, as such, the data are estimates. Environmental Adaptability:They are adaptable to all climates. Just like to make a comment. 2 are Katahdin and 2 are katahdin/dorper crosses. Texel sheep do best in colder climates, as they are exceptionally cold-hardy and have been known to be sensitive to the heat. Choosing breeding stock with this in mind can avoid this problem. He can be reached at 585-554-3313 or by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com. The breeds of hair sheep that are of importance in Florida include Katahdin, St. Croix, American Blackbelly, and Barbados Blackbelly. . "We liked their look," Ruby puts in. In South Africa, the Dorper is likewise most commonly found in arid and semi . Sales of sheep meat and sheep breeding stock are on the rise in the United States and Canada. Westexas. Crossing these breeds with woolen breeds for efficient meat production does hold some potential. In winter puts on coat that is shed as temperatures increase. (I know, Im not a good farmer) Our flock is managed through pasture rotation from April until late December. The Dorper carcass has a good conformation and fat distribution. Thanks, I am considering starting a small Dorper and or Katahdin herd to raise meat for the Western New York market. Breed ideal for pasture lambing and grass/forage based management systems. 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. Lambs can also take a little longer to reach their market weight than some other breeds of sheep. This means that, theoretically, a Dorper ewe can produce a lamb (or 2 or 3) every 8 months. Dorpers tend to be a little larger, and Katahdins are excellent mothers, so a Dorper /Kathadin cross is nearly perfect. There is a growing market demand for high-quality, naturally-fed lamb. Two varieties of Dorper Sheep were created: the black headed Dorper and an all white variety, the White Dorper sheep. When the price of raw wool fleece is below the cost of shearing the animal, this is not cost effective. Beginning in the mid-1950s, Piel imported three St.Croix sheep. 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. Best Sheep for Milk: 7 Best Sheep Breeds for Milk - Savvy Farm Life Why they are Crossed Waco Childbirth Education 74 subscribers Subscribe 127 Share. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 170 200 (can be less than 170lb), Ram = 220 250. 3 year old Dorper Katahdin Ram. Dorper Sheep: Truths and Myths - Cornell Small Farms I dont want him to get unhealthily fat. For several years weve had Romanov/Katahdin crosses. Wondering whether to add Dorper or Katahdin sheep to your homestead? 46:131-143.. Making a Good Ewe Flock. They are excellent foragers. 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. Rams generally have horns. The St Croix are also quiet, but seem to be next on the ladder. We normally worm our lambs 3-4 times a summer and the ewes not at all. Ewes will weigh an average of 190 pounds, with rams reaching up to 300 pounds. In addition to being a smaller breed, the lambs tend to mature slowly, not reaching ideal market weight until around 2 years of age. The Barbados Blackbelly got its name because of the characteristic black belly on an otherwise red brown coat. Blackbellys often breed easily and well, usually birthing multiple lambs in one breeding. I used purebred as opposed to full blood White Dorper rams to upgrade my flock. Breeding Season: They breed throughout the year. This behavior causes problems with maintaining desirable trees unless protection is provided. 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. Katahdin Hair Sheep International Posted 11/18/2019 21:09 (#7854689) Subject: Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. If you are interested in bringing a herd of small livestock to your homestead, you will want to look into both sheep and goats. 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. No difference was noted between the purebred breeds of hair sheep. To learn more about baby sheep, check out my article Baby Sheep: What a Baby Sheep is Called & Other Fun Facts. The Dorper Sheep is a hardy resilient South African breed of sheep that can withstand various harsh climates, environments and intensive operations. $300. Effects of high heat load conditions on body weight, feed intake The trend is now reversed. An interesting study was done that showed the parasite resistance was higher in the purebred hair sheep over the crossbred shedding sheep. The Dorpers get so quiet and even a little lazy that the dogs really have to work hard to make them move much. Hairbreeds have many positive traits that make them an ideal animal for small farms, homesteads, and of course, larger commercial farms. Ron remembers raising wool sheep as a teenager. The desire to climb mandates the use of a bale ring to prevent excessive waste. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. 100 Dorper - Bred Ewes. Easy Care Hair Sheep: Is There Really Such A Thing? Reaching maturity earlier than many breeds, the Suffolk lamb will reach an average of 116 pounds by 100 days of age. Although they are one of the newest sheep breeds introduced in America, Katahdin sheep have quickly become a popular choice. May 23, 2011 #3 Beekissed Herd Master Joined Aug 3, 2008 Messages 3,634 Reaction score 5,536 Points 453 Location mountains of WV 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. Youll find these sheep to have an easy-going temperament, and they tend to produce leaner meat with even fat distribution. Best Meat Cross-Breed with Katahdin Ram - Permies They also are not limited to a breeding season, conceiving year round. As one of the most populous sheep breeds in America, the Suffolk is a popular choice for meat producers. Dorper Vs Katahdins | Homesteading Forum take it from me, you dont have to worry about anyone getting too fat. Katahdin Hair Sheep | Successful Farming Cheviots produce alert, strong lambs who are efficient foragers. Stoneheart Farm was established in 1994 by John and Doreen Simmons. Breeding stock is selected under rigorous criteria, including parasite resistance, hair coat, growth characteristics on grass alone and general thriftiness. Dorpers grow a combination of hair and wool, and shed naturally meaning no shearing is required. Some general information on hair sheep is found on the next page. Market Weight/Live/Age: 70 90 lbs / 7 8 months. 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. Ten percent of sheep breeds are hair breeds but ninety percent of these are found in tropical areas. 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. 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. Also, much of the flavor ( good or bad) comes from the fat. After lambing season, most of our sheep time is spent managing our pastures so that we can provide our animals with the best quality forage possible. At that weight the fat cover did indeed get too much. Required fields are marked *. Feed conversion is good since these sheep fatten easily on less than ideal pasture and forage. Carefully breeding only the best stock will ensure that the extreme hardiness and good mothering ability remain. Dorpers are theoretically better muscled, meatier carcass, faster growing, but we haven't seen that to be true. These include: Dorper sheep dont produce much milk or wool, which means raising them for meat is your only option. Most Muslims prefer intact ram lambs without tails being docked. Apparently, Momma Kathadin doesnt wait around to see what happens when Mr. Coyote shows up for dinner. Katahdin ewes weigh around 125-185 pounds, and rams average around 200 pounds. A unique characteristic about the Dorper is that they do not breed seasonally, instead they are able to breed year-around. View Details. The Dorper is a good example of this interbreeding. Technical Abstract: I no longer sell at livestock auctions mainly because I dont have to. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 100 130, Ram = 120 150. Keep reading to learn more about the best sheep breeds for meat. 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: It is common to have ewes lambing twice per year. Dorper lambs have amazing growth rates when young. It improves from year one to year two of age but can again be reduced by external factors like disease or weight loss. Katahdins are docile, medium-sized sheep; ewes weigh 125 to 185 pounds, rams 180 to 250 pounds. In a second study, Dorper or Dorset sired lambs were compared to Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix or Katahdin lambs. A maternal breed, Katahdin ewes breed well with the Dorper rams to produce a meaty but feminine lamb. He is 8 months old. Breed is mainly free of wool and do not normally require shearing. Owning Goats vs. Sheep The Dorper sheep is a meat sheep breed. Hairsheep breeds such as the Barbados Blackbelly and St.Croix are largely found in these tropical areas of the world. Average weight for the Cheviot is 130 175 pounds. Bred to produce less back fat, their meat is lean and flavorful. Compared to other breeds, these sheep are relatively new, dating back to the 1950s. Between their size and their courage, llamas may seem intimidating at first. Making Natural Clothing Dye From Vegetables. The breed is famous in the United States for its high performance and low maintenance. 80 pounds at 90 days can be expected. For a number of years, there has been a good export market for ewe lambs going to Mexico. 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. As a result, about 50 percent of the first generation of White Dorper cross bred sheep shed partially or mostly. Question is this common? This spring we had an overall lambing average of 1.9 lambs/ewe born with 1.7 lambs weaned. Crossing these breeds with woolen breeds for efficient meat production does hold some potential. Dorper sheep originated in South Africa and were the result of crossing Dorset Horn with Blackheaded Persian sheep. Glenn Land Farm Dexter Cattle & Dorper Sheep The saving grace are our Dorpers. Fact: While its true that Barbados and St. Croix are small animals (ewes 80-110 pounds), few commercial breeders raise them. Market Weight/Live/Age: 80 110 lbs / 5.5 6 months. The katahdin//dorper crosses are noticeably bigger than the pure katahdins. One of the oldest breeds of sheep, the Tunis is still a favorite breed for meat production. Dorper sheep have a distinctive appearance: black heads and white bodies. Please indicate pricing as well. Suffolk ewes are excellent mothers and prolific breeders. How do you decide which breed is right for your needs? The Katahdan tend to be a little more "active", in general not quite as docile, though many would disagree but they are still quiet. In this area, hair sheep often sell higher than wool sheep. Our spring lambs on pasture alone (17-20 percent protein and 65-72percentdigestible organic matter-DOM) will average 55-60 pounds. The Katahdin hair sheep is the fastest growing breed in the United States. Are you interested in raising sheep for meat? Hi Qazi, We began our Katahdin Sheep herd with non-registered sheep but have added registered Katahdin ewes to our farm. I'll be using my Barbados Blackbelly ram on my BB ewes and also a few Kathadin ewes. Can you advise on the availability of a good ram and 10-12 ewe lambs this Spring. Most hair sheep breeds will lamb out of season without resorting to hormone therapy. He can be reached at 585-554-3313 or by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com. Currently have a friend running dorper but was looking at katahdins since they are a little bigger. Other than a few lambs for Hispanic weddings, we sell our slaughter animals through the local auction barn. Black color covers belly, inside legs and thighs and extends up to the neck. As they say, the proof is in the pudding eating. Best guess is he is 175-200 lbs. Origin: Developed in the Virgin Islands for crosses of West African hair sheep and Wiltshire Horn. Myth #2: Hair sheep don't bring as much on the slaughter market. Katahdins often breeding out of season. The ewes are also heavy milkers with excellent maternal instincts. 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. Have good flocking instinct. 2022 Cornell Small Farms. These are some of the best reasons to raise Katahdin sheep - though the list is by no means exhaustive! For example, we consider time spent worming, shearing, docking and trimming hooves as merely maintaining an operation. For example, cold wind and warm sun quickly result in herd finding shelter under conditions when woolen sheep remain in the open. November/December 2003 and regularly vetted for accuracy. I can only put this down to past genetics. The breeder from whom I purchased the lambs said she is breeding in dorper with the katahdins to "beef" them up a little. Because of their hair and their low fat content, this breed is known to produce both flavorful and mild meat. Dries Wiese, the owner and Studbreeder, was 9 years old when his father bought him his first . Non selective grazers that perform well under both extensive and intensive production systems.