And does anyone have experience with katahdin ewes on dorper bucks . If you combine all traits I have not found a better breed for a farming system based on pasture and direct marketing. To learn more about how you can make money off of sheep, read my article What Do Sheep Produce? They reach sexual maturity early, and will remain fertile for a longer period of time than many other breeds. 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. Dorpers grow a combination of hair and wool, and shed naturally meaning no shearing is required. Jacksonville, FL 32254. A qualityregistered lamb will bring triple the fat lamb price. Most hair sheep breeds will lamb out of season without resorting to hormone therapy. As we disperse all our crossbreeds, weve found the crossbred cull ewes with a wool coat have sold for 50-75percentof what comparable weight hair ewes bring. This site is owned and operated by Wild Wire Media, LLC. JavaScript is disabled. Katahdin would adapt best under humid, warm conditions, while Dorper would be best suited for dry arid and semiarid rangeland conditions. Our experienced ewes averaged 2.1 lambs/ewe born with 1.9 weaned. 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. Many Greeks eat lamb for Easter, which is not always the same date as the traditional Easter. Lamb chops from Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix lambs were similar to those from Dorset-sired, Dorper-sired, or Katahdin. 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.
Katahdin Pedigrees ~ Members List Choosing breeding stock with this in mind can avoid this problem. Difference in color is a matter of preference. 7 year old Katahdin ewe . 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. Although the breed was created in the 1930s, it is still fairly new to the US. I am trying to locate a couple of nice ewe lambs now. Ta Paul.5. 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. They can harbor significant worm populations, yet not suffer the same effects a wool animal would. Whether youre looking to be more self-sufficient or to make some income selling meat to local restaurants, raising sheep for meat can enable you to do both. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 130 140 (Average is 136), Ram = 170 - 200. Originating in South Africa, these lovable and attractive sheep tend to come with a lot more pros than cons. I love lambs Does lambs has less cholesterol than goat? Thanks, I am considering starting a small Dorper and or Katahdin herd to raise meat for the Western New York market. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Id recommend getting in touch with the author of this article- he might have some good insight for you. Some are calling these shedding sheep. 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! Disposition & Mothering Ability: Ewes are docile with good mothering ability. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 170 200 (can be less than 170lb), Ram = 220 250. The breed was created by crossing Dorset and Blackheaded Persian sheep. Selling Price: $325.00 / Head.
FAQs - American Dorper Sheep Breeders' Society Feeding small quantities throughout numerous feedings helps reduce the incidence of bloat and/or diarrhea. For more on the differences, plus potential pros and cons between the breeds, read on. Required fields are marked *. As a result, the Katahdin is the most common hair sheep in America. Staking livestock to a rope and expecting them to clear vegetation is ineffective and can result in . A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds.
Some Ideas About Crossbreeding Sheep | Oklahoma State University Our paddocks are grazed for 5-7 days followed by 25-34 days of . If this same time is spent building homestead fencing, watersystems, improving lambing or handling facilities, its improving an operation. Purebred Dorper rams can reach a live-weight of 90-120 kg and ewes 50-80kg. keep checking it out! Your email address will not be published. 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. We are currently running 130 registered ewes with 10 commercial ewes that will be dispersed this year. 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. Quite a few meat producers are finding better success with the hair breeds of meat sheep than with meat goats. He seems pretty big to me, but since he is my first sheep, I dont know what he should weigh.
Our first lamb - Katahdin Dorper Cross - Farm Homestead They were significantly more reasonably priced and for practical matters were the same. Materials and methods Katahdin can be used for both meat and milk, whereas Dorper sheep are only good for meat production. It is now farmed in other areas as well, and is the second most common sheep breed in South Africa. While it is estimated that hair sheep comprise only 10 percent of the world's sheep population, their numbers are growing, especially in temperate climates like the United States. In California prices for hair sheep have surpassed prices for wool sheep and in New Holland they are catching up.
Publication : USDA ARS Fact: Eight or ten years ago you could expect a 5-10 cents/pound discount for hair animals. Hampshire sheep have a muscular and stocky build, and are comparative to the Suffolk in size.
Best Sheep for Milk: 7 Best Sheep Breeds for Milk - Savvy Farm Life Dorper sheep originated in South Africa and were the result of crossing Dorset Horn with Blackheaded Persian sheep. As a result, about 50 percent of the first generation of White Dorper cross bred sheep shed partially or mostly.
Signatures of selection in sheep and goats infected with Haemonchus Cole, N.A. His father Barley ( in picture behind him) is a full blooded Dorper. As far as winter hardiness is concerned, I have my sheep out in zero degree weather. Secondly at what age are you removing lambs from mothers . Hi just wondering it may be a silly question anyways can you milk Dorper sheep. We are in the process of installing another 10,000 feet of electric fence on 25 acres that will result in another nine paddocks.
Sheep for Meat: 10 Best Sheep Breeds for Meat - Savvy Farm Life Apparently, Momma Kathadin doesnt wait around to see what happens when Mr. Coyote shows up for dinner. Photo courtesy of: Dr. Stephan A. Wildeus. You will always need to make compromises if you choose to have a purebred flock. With an annual rainfall of approximately 175mm (7 inches), the grazing is mainly scrubland with a stocking rate of 1 LSU per 32 hectare. Dorper sheep originated in South Africa and were the result of crossing Dorset Horn with Blackheaded Persian sheep. The trend is now reversed. The mild and yet rich flavor of these culled ewes is remarkable and does not at all remind anyone of mutton. Ewes will breed back before the lambs are weaned. A caution when breeding is to choose the right size ram for the ewe. We prefer using forage to produce lambs rather than wool. While both breeds are exceptionally popular in the US, there are some differences between the two. Anymore (at least in Missouri) its the carcass quality that sets the price. We have members from Mexico to Northern Canada and have exported to Ecuador, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, United Kingdom, Chile, and Central America. These breeds are called hair sheep because the coat consists of hair more like that of cattle and many goats rather than wool. Of the ewe lambs exposed, 95 percent gave birth at the age of 11-13 months. Though large in size, Hampshire sheep tend to be a docile and easy-going breed. There is no such thing as an ideal breed. Manage Settings Rather than stay in a group, they will scatter in all directions like a covey of quail. 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 Confederacy precedes the establishment of Cornell University, New York state, and the United States of America. Some European sheep genetics were incorporated into the African sheep to arrive at the existing hair breeds mentioned above. Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. Our spring lambs on pasture alone (17-20 percent protein and 65-72percentdigestible organic matter-DOM) will average 55-60 pounds. Katahdin Dorper The Dorper is a mutton breed of hair sheep developed in the 1930s. Dorper lambs have amazing growth rates when young. To properly flush a ewe, she should be on an upward nutritional plane and gaining weight. 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. While there are far fewer cons than there are pros for keeping Dorper sheep, you do need to consider the potential downsides. Breeding Season: They breed throughout the year. Dorper Vs Katadhin Sheep: Which is better for your homestead? Since Missouri has more Katahdin sheep than any other state, the majority of export animals come from here. FLAVOR After being in the business of raising wool sheep of various kinds for two decades, I decided in 2005 to start with hair sheep. Kt ewes under low-input semiarid conditions of northern Mxico. The Katahdin Sheep is a domestic breed developed in Maine in the United States and named after the highest peak in Maine, Mount Katahdin. Sheep are like lawnmowers, while goats are more like Bush Hogs (for the uninitiated, that's the brand name for a machine designed to clear heavy brush). A type of hair breed, Katahdin sheep originate in the United States. The katahdin//dorper crosses are noticeably bigger than the pure katahdins. Hair sheep dont bring as much on the slaughter market. How do you decide which breed is right for your needs? Coat & Color: Solid white or white with black head. "Dorper sheep are barrel-shaped with a well-muscled back end. The hair sheep breeds lamb easily in the pasture and the lambs gain weight rapidly and develop to maturity quickly. These include: The fact Dorper sheep are easy to breed is a huge advantage. Breed is mainly free of wool and do not normally require shearing. Its also possible that some pieces of wool or hair remain along the back or on the hind quarters or arm pits.
Glenn Land Farm Dexter Cattle & Dorper Sheep Katahdins are a popular meat breed for sheep farmers. The Katahdin sheep is listed as a Recovering heritage breed on the ALBC Conservation Priority List. I forgot to ask for notification via e-mail, so I am reposting my questions. 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. At Kettle Haven Ranch we specialize in Katahdin x Dorper crosses for exceptional market lambs and for replacement breeding stock. Why Katahdin x Dorper Crosses. However, Texel sheep breed strongly seasonal, are heat sensitive, have at times problems lambing due to the broad head and shoulders, and they need shearing. We are interested purchasing Katahdin sheep and found this article very helpful.
Kasteel Whitedorper Stud - Homepage So, what about littering the pasture with wool? His website address is www.whitecloversheepfarm.com. They do produce wool, and will need to be shorn annually. While weve missed out on export sales the last several years because of retaining ewes to increase flock numbers, Mexican buyers will be coming by this spring. Later on I found out that this was the faster route to accomplish shedding in the offspring.
Dorper Sheep - Sheep Breed Series - YouTube i want buy texel sheep unit so please tell how can buy it this breed. One of the first breeds to be recognized for its commercial production, the rams can reach more than 250 lbs. In general they have low maintenance requirements. Consider the pros and cons featured above before making your decision. We both work off thefarm; therefore time is a commodity in short supply. It is also exceptionally low-maintenance. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare productive performance of F 1 Dp vs . Best guess is he is 175-200 lbs. marina@mgdorpers.com. This spring we had an overall lambing average of 1.9 lambs/ewe born with 1.7 lambs weaned. 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. They started with an idle, tired farm and through years of blood, sweat and tears have transformed it into a vibrant . 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. Looking forward to reply. When the price of raw wool fleece is below the cost of shearing the animal, this is not cost effective. A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. Due to its heavily muscled carcass, the Texel sheep is a very popular meat breed. 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. This behavior causes problems with maintaining desirable trees unless protection is provided. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 100 130, Ram = 120 150. 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." We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. Dorper's are by far the closest hair sheep to the wool breed. To appeal to ethnic buyers, it often requires a change in flock management. Sheds coat as temperature and day length increase. The ewes are also heavy milkers with excellent maternal instincts. Katahdin sheep and Dorper are bred as meat sheep breeds. This ancient breed has thrived in warm climates, continued to produce twins and good carcass weights.
Katahdin Sheep - Kiko and Boer Goats But what about the market lambs getting too fat? If you have space to corral a few sheep, you can fill the freezer with a healthy alternative to beef and chicken. Coat & Color: Most of the individuals are white, but tan and spotted ones exist.
Resistance to Internal Parasites in Lambs of Hair Sheep Composite Breeds You have to pay to have it sheared once a year. While Hampshire sheep are seasonal breeders, they tend to have a longer breeding season than others. Katahdins tend to birth twins, with triplets and quadruplets occurring often with good flock management. Plainview, Tx. They like large groups of lambs on each farm, prefer solid colors, registered and must be enrolled in the scrapie program. However, in older hairsheep the flavor is still impressive due to the genetic factor. While you can make a great profit selling meat, if you are looking for multiple income streams from your flock then the Dorper may not be the right breed for you. They do produce wool, and will need to be shorn annually. The breed has a thick, well muscled carcass and extended period of fertility. The second reason I chose Dorper over St. Croix is desirability. People converting to hair sheep breeds all notice certain things. Breed utilization for meat production in sheep. Hair sheep breeds simply shed their hair covering and fleecy undercoat when the weather warms. Environmental Adaptability: Tolerant of both high and low temperatures. It should be kept in mind that performance varies greatly with genetic . This makes them one of the more profitable breeds to specialize in. As one of the most populous sheep breeds in America, the Suffolk is a popular choice for meat producers. Moreover, RT was slightly less for Katahdin vs. Dorper in period 4 at 13:00 and 17:00 however, RR was less for Katahdin than for Dorper in periods 3 and 4. $300. I've seen some really nice Dorper/Katahdin crosses. 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: 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. 4 1. Several myths still surround hair sheep. Ewes will weigh an average of 190 pounds, with rams reaching up to 300 pounds. They can provide you with information pertaining to regulations, health requirements and local export brokers. Katahdin x Lacaune. 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. The Katahdin breed has hair instead of wool, and that means less work, according to the couple, who raise the sheep near Perham, Minnesota. Do you have to go around picking it up out of the pasture? Although the breed was created in the 1930s, it is still fairly new to the US.
Dorper Sheep Breed - Everything You Need to Know - Domestic Animal Breeds The saving grace are our Dorpers. Black color covers belly, inside legs and thighs and extends up to the neck. Though size and time to mature are not the Blackbellys strongest points, there are many advantages to raising this hardy breed of sheep. Suffolk grow wool continuously, and will need to be sheared annually. Posted 11/18/2019 21:09 (#7854689) Subject: Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. 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. Lamb comes from a sheep under the age of 1 year old. This breed is also exceptionally hardy, able to thrive in both the cold, and the hot, humid climates in which many farmers struggle to. When selecting breeding stock, choose animals with good feet. Vigorous growers, the Icelandic produce lambs that are market-ready at 70-100 pounds in as little as 4-5 months. Parasitol. There is the wool type and the hairtype with the hairtype being slightly less meaty but far better shedding. They have incredible growth of lambs at butcher weight within 6-8 months with carcass weights in the 45-60 lb range. 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. I have a very small Dorper ewe, she is 7 months old but very small.
Dorper sheep Revolutionizing the meat sheep industry Dorper sheep do well in warm, arid climates, but can tolerate cold as well. They were called Africans at the time. for info and videos along with books and much more! That applies to purebred WD market lambs as well. After slaughter, all thats left is hide, manure and stomach contents. Katahdins tend to birth twins, with triplets and quadruplets occurring often with good flock management. Just like to make a comment. While I cant speak for other hair breeds, Katahdin sheep are tough, hardy animals with eating habits more like that of a goat. 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. We have a dispute between the members about feeding sheep after working them. May 23, 2011 #3 Beekissed Herd Master Joined Aug 3, 2008 Messages 3,634 Reaction score 5,536 Points 453 Location mountains of WV For example, cold wind and warm sun quickly result in herd finding shelter under conditions when woolen sheep remain in the open. The Dorper is a mutton breed of hair sheep developed in the 1930s. We acknowledge the painful history of Gayogoh:n dispossession, and honor the ongoing connection of Gayogoh:n people, past and present, to these lands and waters. After 13 years of medical education and military service they landed in Maine to put down roots. we really enjoy that black baby lamb and she is 9 months old now. The Dorper is highly adaptable and does well in harsh conditions. We also sell breeding stock locally. take it from me, you dont have to worry about anyone getting too fat. Today I have 1/2, 3/4, 7/8th, and 15/16th White Dorper sheep. Keep reading to learn more about the best sheep breeds for meat. For the Katahdin vs Dorper analysis (Table 1), 8 SNPs under selection were observed in SOCS2, NOS2, TGFB2 and IL2RA genes within OAR3, 11, 12 and 13, respectively. Hi Joanne. Hair sheep breeds (Katahdin, St. Croix, Barbados) generally have much greater parasite resistance than wooled breeds, especially after one year of age. Why Katahdin x Dorper Crosses At Stoneheart Farms we specialize in Katahdin x Dorper crosses for exceptional market lambs and for replacement breeding stock. 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. This has nothing to do with genetics and everything to do with the latitude in which the animal lives: Things being equal, our weights will be lower than the weights of similar Katahdins raised in Canada, but higher than ones raised in Florida. They naturally shed their wool throughout the seasons. That is normal. About. History tells us our present-day sheep are derived from the wild Mouflon sheep, among others, that grew coarse hair with a downy undercoat. Sheep are one of the most versatile producers when it comes to livestock animals. This, alongside their easy-going dietary needs, really cut down the cost of keeping them.