What Needle Felting Supplies Do You Use for Sculpting? When the weathers hot and the pastures are dry, their wool animals will be under a tree while the hair animals are out grazing. However, they have been cross-bred with other breeds over the years to develop the modern breed we see today. Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. Why they are Crossed Environmental Adaptability:They are adaptable to all climates. They also do well eating the vegetation that other species reject. Mexicans prefer a larger lamb, and let nothing go to waste. The breed is famous in the United States for its high performance and low maintenance. In colder zones they produce a very heavy winter coat that is shed in spring. Mutton is meat that comes from mature sheep over the age of 1 year old. The ability of this breed to put grass into weight gain is remarkable. There was only the body fleece that needed shearing. 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. They are also highly resistant to many parasites that can become bothersome to other breeds of sheep. Sheep For Sale - 118 Listings | LivestockMarket.com However, if thats what you are looking for then this breed might not be for you. Just like the Katahdin, you do not have to shear them as they shed their winter coat in the spring. Dorper-sired. Sales of sheep meat and sheep breeding stock are on the rise in the United States and Canada. Can someone tell me a few of the pros and cons for both dorper sand katahdin. 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. ByBasil Bactawar, UF/IFAS Duval County Extension Service. Dries Wiese, the owner and Studbreeder, was 9 years old when his father bought him his first . This breed averages in maturity at around 175 220 pounds. Are Llamas Dangerous? Shear force values were greatest, tougher, for Dorset-sired than Dorper-sired or Katahdin lambs. They are excellent foragers. Sure enough, hes been trimming hooves. However, they all shed around the belly, legs, head, and all the other places that would otherwise prolong shearing. Fencing. Materials and methods We are currently using rams with high shedding scores, while culling heavily on production traits. The second reason I chose Dorper over St. Croix is desirability. Texel sheep do best in colder climates, as they are exceptionally cold-hardy and have been known to be sensitive to the heat. Bred sheep/ewes (Dorper and Katahdin), bred to a show ram. (Icelandic sheep grow a double coat.) Im sorry I cannot help you. Non selective grazers that perform well under both extensive and intensive production systems. FLAVOR They like large groups of lambs on each farm, prefer solid colors, registered and must be enrolled in the scrapie program. Suffolk ewes are excellent mothers and prolific breeders. Well, at least Katahdins, St Croix and barbs. They do produce wool, and need to be shorn on a regular basis. 3 year old Dorper Katahdin Ram. The St Croix are also quiet, but seem to be next on the ladder. No difference was noted between the purebred breeds of hair sheep. Characteristics - St Croix Hair Sheep Breeders I've seen some really nice Dorper/Katahdin crosses. As well as a hand full of peanuts every day. When youre raising sheep for meat, the wool is a by-product. It is a very hardy breed and is disease resistant. Ewes typically reach sexual maturity by 7 months. The ancestry is believed to be of both African hair sheep and European breeds. Any of the sheep breeds thats considered to be one of the true hair sheep breeds has an advantage in that cockleburs, briars, stick-tights and so forth dont become entangled. Ewes weight approximately 200 pounds, and rams average out to around 260 pounds. One of the oldest breeds of sheep, the Tunis is still a favorite breed for meat production. The best genetics wont keep an animal from starving to death. Katahdin sheep are one of several hair breeds, the most common of which includes Barbados Black Belly, St. Croix and Dorper sheep. In fact, when we have pot roast from a culled ewe I can still fool my wife into thinking we had lamb for dinner. They naturally shed their wool throughout the seasons. Resistance to Internal Parasites in Lambs of Hair Sheep Composite Breeds The breed has a thick, well muscled carcass and extended period of fertility. They are attentive, protective, and make excellent mothers. About - stoneheartfarm The Dorper is a good example of this interbreeding. The ewes produce vigorous, healthy, robust lambs that have a high survivability. I have a very small Dorper ewe, she is 7 months old but very small. These White Dorper female replacement lambs already look very much like purebred White Dorpers Photographer: Ulf Kintzel. We normally worm our lambs 3-4 times a summer and the ewes not at all. 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. Anymore (at least in Missouri) its the carcass quality that sets the price. Choosing breeding stock with this in mind can avoid this problem. 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. They also are not limited to a breeding season, conceiving year round. You can find out more about lambing Dorper sheep through the American Dorper Sheep Breeders Society. In addition to being a smaller breed, the lambs tend to mature slowly, not reaching ideal market weight until around 2 years of age. It is common to have ewes lambing twice per year. These breeds are called hair sheep because the coat consists of hair more like that of cattle and many goats rather than wool. Originally, the established buyers at auctions resisted hairsheep in general and they fetched lower prices in places like New Holland. Sheep 201: Hair sheep primer 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." The ewes are also heavy milkers with excellent maternal instincts. The Dorper X Katahdin are very popular and providing you use a good quality ram, I would suggest fullblood or purebred, they do tend to really stamp the babies with their type. For example, we consider time spent worming, shearing, docking and trimming hooves as merely maintaining an operation. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 120 - 160, Ram = 180 250. Carcass Composition of Hair Sheep Breeds and Crosses - Virginia Tech Dorper ram purchased from Juan Navarro of J.N. The low maintenance qualities of Katahdins allow us the time to do so. If my product would be poorly finished or wouldnt taste good, I surely would lose customers. However, in older hairsheep the flavor is still impressive due to the genetic factor. 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. The flavor of the market lambs is in my opinion mostly influenced by the fact that these lambs are grass-fed. Sheep for sale: young grass-fed butcher ram lambs (Dorper & Katahdin) They reach sexual maturity very early, with ewes able to breed between 7 to 9 months of age. Consider the pros and cons featured above before making your decision. I usually harvest my lambs between 80 and 90 lbs. They were significantly more reasonably priced and for practical matters were the same. If you combine all traits I have not found a better breed for a farming system based on pasture and direct marketing. Since Missouri has more Katahdin sheep than any other state, the majority of export animals come from here. A caution when breeding is to choose the right size ram for the ewe. This increases the risk of falls and injury, which can be expensive to fix. Most Muslims prefer intact ram lambs without tails being docked. What is the Ideal Weight for a Market Lamb? - Cornell Small Farms 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. Like most of the sheep listed here, Texel lambs reach market size quickly, by 5-6 months.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'savvyfarmlife_com-leader-2','ezslot_10',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-savvyfarmlife_com-leader-2-0'); With an extended breeding season of nearly 5 months, Texel sheep are prolific breeders. Dorper Vs Katahdins | Homesteading Forum Your email address will not be published. The breed was developed in the mid-1950s by crossing imported St. Croix Sheep and several other breeds, including the Suffolk Sheep. 2. Between their size and their courage, llamas may seem intimidating at first. Rather than stay in a group, they will scatter in all directions like a covey of quail. Why they are Crossed Waco Childbirth Education 74 subscribers Subscribe 127 Share. The breed was created by crossing Dorset and Blackheaded Persian sheep. Of the ewe lambs exposed, 95 percent gave birth at the age of 11-13 months. Owning Goats vs. Sheep Differences in the taste of sheep breeds - BC Boards In years past, 18-30 pound lambs sold well in Chicago for Jewish Passover. Ewes will breed back before the lambs are weaned. At 90 days, weve had November-December lambs on pasture, hay and whole grain (corn or milo) average 75 pounds. 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.. Origin: Developed in the Virgin Islands for crosses of West African hair sheep and Wiltshire Horn. I belong to a herding club in Hawaii. They do produce wool, and will need to be shorn annually. For us, the Katahdin sheep breed fits our operation and our philosophy quite well. The Dorper has a high rate of lambing and is tolerant of the arid conditions it was developed for in South Africa. Some European sheep genetics were incorporated into the African sheep to arrive at the existing hair breeds mentioned above. They do produce wool, and will need to be shorn annually. The breeds of hair sheep that are of importance in Florida include Katahdin, St. Croix, American Blackbelly, and Barbados Blackbelly. Hair sheep dont bring as much on the slaughter market. Katahdins are awesome and productive mothers plus they are a very hardy breed and the Dorper will put more size on the meat sheep. Lambing %: Approximately 125%, exceeding 200% with subsequent lambing. $300. The major disadvantage is that they grow slower and produce a lighter weight carcass than most breeds of European origin. Lamb meat is known to be more tender and tasty. The bodybuilder of the sheep world, the Texel sheep is known for its heavily-muscled and sturdy frame. Effects of high heat load conditions on body weight, feed intake Four Barbados Blackbelly sheep arrived in the United States in 1904. 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. I am trying to locate a couple of nice ewe lambs now. This matters up here as our point of having hair sheep is to eliminate useless shearing. Yes, you can milk Dorper sheep! Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Contact | About Us | Sitemap, As one of the most populous sheep breeds in America, the. Libyans prefer old worn out buck goats for their stronger flavor. Future importations to university breeding flocks led to the development of the American Blackbelly sheep breed. Dorpers tend to be a little larger, and Katahdins are excellent mothers, so a Dorper /Kathadin cross is nearly perfect. Katahdins often breeding out of season. Our flock is managed through pasture rotation from April until late December. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Ewes are docile with good mothering ability. This breed is also exceptionally hardy, able to thrive in both the cold, and the hot, humid climates in which many farmers struggle to. The Confederacy precedes the establishment of Cornell University, New York state, and the United States of America. In many cases, farmers are adding hair sheep to pastures with cattle to maximize efficiency and for parasite control. Thanks for the belly shaking laugh! In terms of temperament, cost, and maintenance, they are both excellent options. . I have some St Croix and they are quite large. I have a pet ram lamb, texel dorset cross I was told. Animal Breeding Abstracts. Typically, the 75 percent Dorper crosses will exhibit the Dorper coloration and conformation. It is more flighty than Dorper, Kathadin and St. Croix breeds. 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. He farms in the Finger Lakes area in upstate New York. Q. I bottle fed him for three months and give him grain 2x a day, and free choice hay as well as pasture grass. Flock owners with less than 50 animals have a difficult time getting someone to shear unless they pool their animals with neighbors. Dorper Vs Katadhin Sheep: Which Is Better For Your Farm? He is a native of Germany and lives in the US since 1995. Docking tails is unnecessary, although you still see some old timers that dock just because they always have. Katahdin sheep will strip the bark from cedars, pines and any deciduous tree that has smooth, immature bark. Variance in RT in periods 3 and 4 ranked St. Croix < Dorper < Katahdin. 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. We are interested purchasing Katahdin sheep and found this article very helpful. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare productive performance of F 1 Dp vs . Your email address will not be published. The desire to climb mandates the use of a bale ring to prevent excessive waste. Dorset sheep thrive in a wide variety of climates, and being wool-producers, they will need to be sheared annually. As mentioned earlier, hair sheep breeds are considerably more heat-tolerant than wool breeds. 199 Effects of high heat load conditions on Dorper, Katahdin, and St 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. The entire belly is black including areas between the legs, nose and forehead. Many Greeks eat lamb for Easter, which is not always the same date as the traditional Easter. "We liked their look," Ruby puts in. Demand for Dorper breed, and specifically the black head Dorper, is experiencing an unprecedented surge here in the USA. The trend is now reversed. 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 Dorper Sheep is a hardy resilient South African breed of sheep that can withstand various harsh climates, environments and intensive operations. While hair breeds comprise a small percentage of the number of sheep in North America, this is changing as sustainability becomes a bigger issue for landowners. Dorper sheep do well in warm, arid climates, but can tolerate cold as well. Some are calling these shedding sheep. What is worse, however, is the fact that there are breeders who do not select for shedding ability and for the show ring instead. You will always need to make compromises if you choose to have a purebred flock. 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 ? It should be kept in mind that performance varies greatly with genetic, management, climate, etc. 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. Our young Katahdins can be difficult to move. Katahdin ewes weigh around 125-185 pounds, and rams average around 200 pounds. Glenn Land Farm Dexter Cattle & Dorper 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. Although they are one of the newest sheep breeds introduced in America, Katahdin sheep have quickly become a popular choice. We had the idea of crossing a Dorper with their 60 Katahdin ewes. Environmental Adaptability: Withstand higher heat and humidity than British sheep breeds. You are using an out of date browser. Myth #2: Hair sheep don't bring as much on the slaughter market. Because of their hair, they do not produce the lanolin that can lend gaminess to the meat, giving it a milder flavor. Another goodproductfromhair sheep is leather. Tunis sheep are able to thrive in a variety of climates, and tolerate both heat and cold well. I dont want him to get unhealthily fat. or you can contact me at- The Dorper is a mutton breed of hair sheep developed in the 1930s. I'd go with Dorper ram on Katahdin ewes. Some of the main pros of keeping Katahdin sheep include: Katahdin sheep are one of the easiest breeds of sheep to care for. Our flock is content to sleep outside in the coldest weather and will have unmelted snow on their backs like a wool animal. To be successful, you must sell quality, and I stress quality animals; send anything else to slaughter. Research Activity | Parasite Immunology | West Virginia University Research has shown Dorper have good parasite tolerance or resilience rather than resistance. I have a black face ewe and she is very fat and is 7 months old, should I be worried about her having a lamb and is she old enough to get in lamb. Dorpersare known for their fast weight gains as lambs. A unique characteristic about the Dorper is that they do not breed seasonally, instead they are able to breed year-around. Royal White (Dorper x St.Croix) including sheepamong them an extra-special Dorper-Katahdin lamb named Mopple. Have good flocking instinct. Question is this common? Compared to other breeds, these sheep are relatively new, dating back to the 1950s. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Breed is docile and calm with good flocking instinct. Due to the high amount of red muscle fibers, the Icelandic sheep has a uniquely tender and fine texture. Ive spent my entire life around farm animals, and I created Savvy Farm Life to share the helpful information Ive learned over the years. There are three main reasons to raise hair 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. 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. (Weve heard them all.). I used purebred as opposed to full blood White Dorper rams to upgrade my flock. ~Ann, Your email address will not be published. The Katahdin breed has hair instead of wool, and that means less work, according to the couple, who raise the sheep near Perham, Minnesota. He is a native of Germany and lives in the US since 1995. The Barbados Blackbelly got its name because of the characteristic black belly on an otherwise red brown coat. Some hair breed rams are long-bodied which can create a lengthy birthing scenario for the ewe. The number of feedings can be reduced over time to twice a day by 3-4 weeks of age. An older, fat sheep is likely where the reputation of nasty mutton comes from. Relative resistance of Dorper crossbred ewes to gastrointestinal nematode infection compared with St. Croix and Katahdin ewes in the southeastern United States. 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). mantap ! 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. With a high rate of multiple births and a gentle temperament, this is a good choice for people looking to start a hair sheep business, particularly in warm climates. In 2001, my friend with Polypay paid $2 to shear $.50 worth of wool per animal. Why Choose St. Croix Hair Sheep? Interested in raising sheep for wool? Thanks, Noela. We began our Katahdin Sheep herd with non-registered sheep but have added registered Katahdin ewes to our farm. LMAO!!!! Katahdin ewes weigh around 125-185 pounds, and rams average around 200 pounds. These are some of the best reasons to raise Katahdin sheep - though the list is by no means exhaustive! An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 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. As one of the most populous sheep breeds in America, the Suffolk is a popular choice for meat producers. In terms of lambing, youll find Katahdins mostly give birth to multiple lambs. HARDINESS Royal White Sheep Breed - Learn Natural Farming This information may be used to compare breeds of hair sheep. Newbie trying to decide (Katahdin, Dorper, or St. Croix) The Katahdin hair sheep is the fastest growing breed in the United States. Lambing %: Lambing rates vary from 150% to 250% with 3 lambing every 2 years not uncommon. Breed is mainly free of wool and do not normally require shearing. Dorper - Wikipedia University of South Dakota research found it requires 250-300 pounds of dry matter forage to produce each pound of wool. Now you have a good idea of the pros and cons of both Dorper and Katahdin sheep, which one is right for your homestead? Selling Price: $325.00 / Head. marina@mgdorpers.com. link to Are Llamas Dangerous? Black color covers belly, inside legs and thighs and extends up to the neck. Looking forward to reply. However, as the challenge escalated, parasite resistance was greatest in St. Croix lambs, followed by Katahdin and Dorper lambs. I direct sell a great number of lambs. The outside temp is above 85* sheep are heaving and panting rapidly. Fact: In central Missouri, raising sheep for wool has been a losing proposition for a number of years. For example, cold wind and warm sun quickly result in herd finding shelter under conditions when woolen sheep remain in the open. Staking livestock to a rope and expecting them to clear vegetation is ineffective and can result in . 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. The Katahdins in the study had a consistently less barber pole worm infestation rate compared to the Dorper and Dorset crosses. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Cheviots are easy to breed, meeting a 90% lambing average without assistance. Average weight for the Cheviot is 130 175 pounds. You have to pay to have it sheared once a year. The St. Croix breed is descended from the original West African hair sheep although some believe they are a cross breed of Criollo and Wiltshire White sheep. May-June lambs on pasture alone (10-13percentprotein and 60-65percent DOM) will average 45 pounds. Our paddocks are grazed for 5-7 days followed by 25-34 days of . my ewe with CL has had her first batch of lambs last month and she is a really good mother! Dorper sheep Revolutionizing the meat sheep industry Are Llamas Dangerous? Good set of ewes. 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. Hair sheep breeds simply shed their hair covering and fleecy undercoat when the weather warms. This ancient breed has thrived in warm climates, continued to produce twins and good carcass weights. When comparing weights, keep in mind we live in north central Missouri. 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. I am new to the sheep business so I am concerned that she will never be large enough to breed.
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