I love lambs Does lambs has less cholesterol than goat? Why Choose St. Croix Hair Sheep? An interesting study was done that showed the parasite resistance was higher in the purebred hair sheep over the crossbred shedding sheep. I think this is where the good reputation of hair sheep comes in. He can be reached at 585-554-3313 or by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com. The Dorper sheep is a meat sheep breed. In addition, shearing is not a requirement thereby reducing operational cost. Hi Joanne. its ok to wean the lamb as soon as possible. Katahdins tend to birth twins, with triplets and quadruplets occurring often with good flock management. $300. We have eight foot Scotch Pines that look like a girdled palm tree and have seen them strip an old dried Christmas tree of its needles. In this area, hair sheep often sell higher than wool sheep. Katahdins are alert, protective mothers. For specific questions, please contact the author. Very interesting and informational! You have to pay to have it sheared once a year. Blackbellys have hair and not wool, making them a low-maintenance breed. Very tolerant of the humid hot conditions in the Carribean andSomolia, Blackhead Persians have a white body and black head. This information is important to producers and extension agents with an interest in hair sheep. Some general information on hair sheep is found on the next page. Lamb comes from a sheep under the age of 1 year old. It is more flighty than Dorper, Kathadin and St. Croix breeds. The best genetics wont keep an animal from starving to death. Forty-six Dorper, 46 Katahdin, and 43 St. Croix female sheep from four regions of the USA were used to evaluate responses to high heat load index (HLI) conditions. Thank you for stopping by, and best of luck with your farm! I forgot to ask for notification via e-mail, so I am reposting my questions. Today I have 1/2, 3/4, 7/8th, and 15/16th White Dorper sheep. May-June lambs on pasture alone (10-13percentprotein and 60-65percent DOM) will average 45 pounds. Katahdins are docile, medium-sized sheep; ewes weigh 125 to 185 pounds, rams 180 to 250 pounds. All Rights Reserved | Website by Maple Creative, God Save the Beef: Trials of Sustainable Farming in the UK . Our spring lambs on pasture alone (17-20 percent protein and 65-72percentdigestible organic matter-DOM) will average 55-60 pounds. Crossbred individuals tend to be more vigorous, more fertile . Tunis sheep are able to thrive in a variety of climates, and tolerate both heat and cold well. When the price of raw wool fleece is below the cost of shearing the animal, this is not cost effective. Parasite resistance and reproductive efficiency is very high, making the Katahdin a valued breed in the hair sheep industry. The other half needed shearing. There are a few characteristics you will want to look for when choosing a meat-producing sheep. 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. The lighter weights are the result of hot weather reducing forage intake (occurs with all grazing animals) and lowered nutritional quality of cool-season forages. Secrets of Raising Katahdin Sheep - Countryside They reach sexual maturity very early, with ewes able to breed between 7 to 9 months of age. Lambing %: Approximately 125%, exceeding 200% with subsequent lambing. There are black headed Dorpers (most common) and white Dorpers (harder to find). Suffolk ewes reach between 180-250 pounds, while rams can top out at 350 pounds. Katahdin sheep and Dorper are bred as meat sheep breeds. Hi Qazi, They are well adapted to a variety of climatic and grazing conditions. 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. This information may be used to compare breeds of hair sheep. Vet. The Blackhead Persian is a fat-rumped hair breed from the arid lands of the Middle East. Hairbreeds have many positive traits that make them an ideal animal for small farms, homesteads, and of course, larger commercial farms. These include: The fact Dorper sheep are easy to breed is a huge advantage. 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. Fencing. 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. They require less worming medications as a general rule. 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. 2022 Cornell Small Farms. How do you decide which breed is right for your needs? As mentioned earlier, theres no price discount for Katahdin sheep or Dorper sheep in central Missouri. The Katahdin sheep is listed as a Recovering heritage breed on the ALBC Conservation Priority List. And some shed one year but not totally the next for no apparent reason at all. Being aware of the pros and cons of each breed will help you to make a better-informed decision over which one is right for your setup. The carcass of the Cheviot tends to be plump and meaty, with just enough fat to produce a succulent meat. He farms in the Finger Lakes area in upstate New York. Sheep For Sale - 118 Listings | LivestockMarket.com The Dorper grows more wool but self-sheds annually. Lambing %: Lambing rates vary from 150% to 250% with 3 lambing every 2 years not uncommon. Consider the pros and cons featured above before making your decision. His information is given at the conclusion of the article, pasted below. Posted 11/18/2019 21:09 (#7854689) Subject: Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. Carcass Composition of Hair Sheep Breeds and Crosses - Virginia Tech Coat & Color: The coat can be reddish brown, tan or yellow. I would never go back to merinos & do not intend having cattle again, My dorper sheep have been lambing only male lambs..i do not know why there are no females being born9males so far..no females. Katahdin Hair Sheep | Successful Farming The hair sheep breeds lamb easily in the pasture and the lambs gain weight rapidly and develop to maturity quickly. The coat is a mixture of hair and wool and will shed from animal in late spring/early summer. I bottle fed him for three months and give him grain 2x a day, and free choice hay as well as pasture grass. has anyone had CL in Dorper sheep one of my fav ewes has CL and we are trying to find a way to maybe stop it! The customers, including the many ethnic customers, caught up and appreciate the milder flavor of hairsheep. Work with your states department of agriculture if youre interested in export sales. His father Barley ( in picture behind him) is a full blooded Dorper. Dorper Sheep Breed Information, History & Facts - RaisingSheep.net 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Katahdin Pedigrees ~ Members List Coat & Color: Has a variety of color ranging from black and tan through yellow with variegated mottled pattern. Katahdins have hair and not wool, which means they are a low-maintenance breed that will shed their hair naturally. As mentioned earlier, the Katahdin breed has served us well. Have good flocking instinct. Some Ewes shed coats after second lambing. This breed produces rapid-growing lambs, with most lambs being considered ready for market at 12 weeks of age. Not only do they suffer fewer complications during birthing compared to some other breeds, but they also give birth to multiple lambs. My Texel and Dorset lambs that I used to have in the past didnt differ that much in flavor, although the WD lambs are indeed milder tasting. Now you have a good idea of the pros and cons of both Dorper and Katahdin sheep, which one is right for your homestead? 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. Disposition & Mothering Ability: This breed is a bit flighty. There are a lot of advantages to keeping Dorper sheep in the US. 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. Dorpers are well-known to mature early as well, with most lambs considered market-ready in as little as 4 months old. while letting some lambs reach weights up to 100+ lbs. Our flock is managed through pasture rotation from April until late December. Easy Care Hair Sheep: Is There Really Such A Thing? Though not year-round breeders, Tunis often breed out of season, with the occasional lamb (or two) born in late Summer / Fall. Sheep Breeds - North Florida Livestock Agents' Group - UF/IFAS They have less subcutaneous fat on average and are a bit leaner because there is less feathering in the muscles. The Gayogoh:n are members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign Nations with a historic and contemporary presence on this land. Grazing animals put on weight quickly in preparation for the long winters. let me know! . You can find out more about lambing Dorper sheep through the American Dorper Sheep Breeders Society. The ewes produce vigorous, healthy, robust lambs that have a high survivability. This makes them one of the more profitable breeds to specialize in. In general they have low maintenance requirements. 80 pounds at 90 days can be expected. Just like to make a comment. A caution when breeding is to choose the right size ram for the ewe. Dorper - Wikipedia Do you have to go around picking it up out of the pasture? Due to its heavily muscled carcass, the Texel sheep is a very popular meat breed. The cross breeding results in the best of both breeds but also in the benefits of heterosis, commonly known as hybrid vigor. Some general information on hair sheep is found on the next page. In a second study, Dorper or Dorset sired lambs were compared to Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix or Katahdin lambs. Coat & Color: Solid white or white with black head. Arguments exist concerning the exact origin of the Barbados Blackbelly evidence is shown for both Africa or Barbados. Sheep for Meat: 10 Best Sheep Breeds for Meat - Savvy Farm Life Ron remembers raising wool sheep as a teenager. We have a dispute between the members about feeding sheep after working them. Dorper vs Katahdin sheep? | Homesteading Forum The Kasteel White Dorper Stud farm lies in an arid area of the Republic of South Africa, called the Great Karoo. Hampshire sheep can live in almost any climate, making them a hardy breed. 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. They have woolier coats and are slower to shed (most of them). You must log in or register to reply here. As far as winter hardiness is concerned, I have my sheep out in zero degree weather. This is inconvenient since you must pasture ram lambs separately from ewes to prevent unplanned pregnancies. They naturally shed their wool throughout the seasons. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 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 web-accessibility@cornell.edu for assistance. While both breeds are exceptionally popular in the US, there are some differences between the two. Half of the group thinks it is okay to feed hot sheep, the other half disagrees. 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." Crossing with the Dorper led tothis larger hair breed. Bred sheep/ewes (Dorper and Katahdin), bred to a show ram. I could always pick out the dorper/katahdin crosses. Katahdin Sheep - Kiko and Boer Goats This breed is adaptable and can live in many different climates. Many ethnic groups want a much different lamb or goat than has been marketed in the past. They reach sexual maturity early, and will remain fertile for a longer period of time than many other breeds. Resistance to Internal Parasites in Lambs of Hair Sheep Composite Breeds As we train border collies for sheep and cattle trials and we need a few different types of sheep. How do you collect wool from self-shearing sheep? Also, much of the flavor ( good or bad) comes from the fat. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Ewes are docile with good mothering ability. People in the Midwest or southern states see this and make a trip to Alberta to purchase a super ram. 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. Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. Forty-six Dorper, 46 Katahdin, and 43 St. Croix female sheep (initial BW of 58, 59, and 46 kg, respectively, SEM = 1.75; 3.3 0.18 yr of age, 2.6 - 3.7) from 45 commercial farms in four regions of the USA (Midwest, Northwest, Southeast, and central Texas) were used to evaluate responses to high heat load index (HLI) conditions in a central . Get Shipping Quotes Opens in a new tab. They are excellent mothers. Since these breeds are so adaptable, when found in colder climates, the hair sheep adapt by growing a thicker undercoat. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare productive performance of F 1 Dp vs . Blackbellys often breed easily and well, usually birthing multiple lambs in one breeding. 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. 199 Effects of high heat load conditions on Dorper, Katahdin, and St What is the point of getting hairsheep when you end up shearing them? marina@mgdorpers.com. Ten percent of sheep breeds are hair breeds but ninety percent of these are found in tropical areas. I have a pet ram lamb, texel dorset cross I was told. He can be reached by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com or by phoneduring calling hour specified on his answering machineat 585-554-3313. The breed is famous in the United States for its high performance and low maintenance. I raise all my sheep and lambs strictly on pasture and feed no grain whatsoever. The Dorper is a South African breed of domestic sheep developed by crossing Dorset Horn and the Blackhead Persian sheep.The breed was created through the efforts of the South African Department of Agriculture to breed a meat sheep suitable to the more arid regions of the country. This breed is also exceptionally hardy, able to thrive in both the cold, and the hot, humid climates in which many farmers struggle to. Your email address will not be published. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Sheep for sale: young grass-fed butcher ram lambs (Dorper & Katahdin) 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. 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. Suffolk ewes are excellent mothers and prolific breeders. The Katahdan tend to be a little more "active", in general not quite as docile, though many would disagree but they are still quiet. Ive seen Shropshire being used to keep weeds and grass down in Christmas tree plantations. Are Llamas Dangerous? Many of the Dorper you see have been crossed with Katahdin sheep for several reasons. They will definitely get too fat. Breeding Season: They breed throughout the year.