Very interesting and informational! 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. 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. Dorper - Wikipedia Katahdin sheep and Dorper are bred as meat sheep breeds. Thanks, I am considering starting a small Dorper and or Katahdin herd to raise meat for the Western New York market. The breeder from whom I purchased the lambs said she is breeding in dorper with the katahdins to "beef" them up a little. And some shed one year but not totally the next for no apparent reason at all. Sold all our cattle. What is the Ideal Weight for a Market Lamb? - Cornell Small Farms 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. We are interested purchasing Katahdin sheep and found this article very helpful. Just like the Katahdin, you do not have to shear them as they shed their winter coat in the spring. In 2001, my friend with Polypay paid $2 to shear $.50 worth of wool per animal. If you combine all traits I have not found a better breed for a farming system based on pasture and direct marketing. This means that, theoretically, a Dorper ewe can produce a lamb (or 2 or 3) every 8 months. It was bred from West African hair sheep and is extremely well-adapted to hot, humid conditions. We prefer using forage to produce lambs rather than wool. Weight Gain/Daily: 0.4 lbs daily with good nutrition. At lower latitudes (down south), summer daylight periods are shorter, the temperature higher, grass growth is slower and is lower in protein and higher fiber. Consider the pros and cons featured above before making your decision. We currently manage between 45-60 ewes per year with about 70% of our flock being registered. 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(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'savvyfarmlife_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_9',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-savvyfarmlife_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');This breed is also exceptionally hardy, able to thrive in both the cold, and the hot, humid climates in which many farmers struggle to raise sheep, making it a good choice for almost any climate in the United States. Suffolk ewes are excellent mothers and prolific breeders. Ewes with young lambs show protective behavior and may raise front feet to strike dogs and cats when confronted. 100 Dorper - Bred Ewes. It is raised mainly for meat production. The American Sheep Industry recognizes 47 different sheep breeds in the US, with hundreds more recognized internationally. Katahdin would adapt best under humid, warm conditions, while Dorper would be best suited for dry arid and semiarid rangeland conditions. Lambs can also take a little longer to reach their market weight than some other breeds of sheep. 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. My customers are also distributors of various sizes who sell mainly at restaurants and their private customers. 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. Rams generally have horns. 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. Youll find these sheep to have an easy-going temperament, and they tend to produce leaner meat with even fat distribution. I forgot to ask for notification via e-mail, so I am reposting my questions. Many of the Dorper you see have been crossed with Katahdin sheep for several reasons. A large-framed, late-maturing breed will not have the necessary carcass quality at these weights, whereas Katahdin sheep or Dorpers will. A year and many dollars later, they cant understand why the rams offspring doesnt grow any faster than the rest of their animals. We are currently using rams with high shedding scores, while culling heavily on production traits. The coat is a mixture of hair and wool and will shed from animal in late spring/early summer. I would say try the dorpers.. we only raise a few for there is only us out here. If you plan on going into the meat production business, its important to know the difference between types of sheep meat. They grow quickly and reach market weight early. As you can see in picture Spike has some tiny horn buds; they have never grown . There are a few characteristics you will want to look for when choosing a meat-producing sheep. 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. (Grabbing a Romanov thats been walking through cockleburs is like wrestling with a 130-pound cocklebur.). Coat & Color: The coat can be reddish brown, tan or yellow. 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. For example, we consider time spent worming, shearing, docking and trimming hooves as merely maintaining an operation. To showcase the commercial qualities of our animals, all breeding stock we sell comes directly from pasture, having received no special treatment. 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. Hair sheep breeds (Katahdin, St. Croix, Barbados) generally have much greater parasite resistance than wooled breeds, especially after one year of age. I have no way of weighing him. Royal White (Dorper x St.Croix) A list of the breeds of sheep that are thought of as being good ewe breeds would start with (1) Rambouillet sheep such as there are in Texas (2) several kinds of Whitefaced Western sheep, (3) the Dorset breed, which is a white-faced meat breed . Flock owners with less than 50 animals have a difficult time getting someone to shear unless they pool their animals with neighbors. Hair sheep dont bring as much on the slaughter market. The Dorper is not a true hair sheep, but is included in this fact sheet because it is used in cross breeding programs involving hair sheep. 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. oklahoma city farm & garden "dorper" - craigslist University of South Dakota research found it requires 250-300 pounds of dry matter forage to produce each pound of wool. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Ewes have good mothering ability and lamb easily unassisted. Publication : USDA ARS After slaughter, all thats left is hide, manure and stomach contents. Hair sheep breeds simply shed their hair covering and fleecy undercoat when the weather warms. No wool to deal with makes perfect economic sense. Katahdin meat tends to be leaner than many other breeds. Im very new here currently living in Virginia. If ewes are fed well, lambing rate approaches the higher end. Our flock is content to sleep outside in the coldest weather and will have unmelted snow on their backs like a wool animal. As well as a hand full of peanuts every day. Thanks, Noela. 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. How about Field Corn! 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. The breeds of hair sheep that are of importance in Florida include Katahdin, St. Croix, American Blackbelly, and Barbados Blackbelly. Between their size and their courage, llamas may seem intimidating at first. Nick. There are many great options for meat-producing sheep. Looking forward to reply. Difference in color is a matter of preference. Coat & Color: Most of the individuals are white, but tan and spotted ones exist. Our young Katahdins can be difficult to move. For several years weve had Romanov/Katahdin crosses. It is also well established that heavy grain feeding does not suit these medium sized sheep since they thrive on so little. However, they have been cross-bred with other breeds over the years to develop the modern breed we see today. Hair sheep primer . This is a very good article to read and understand the secrets of Raising Katahdin Sheep. These are some of the best reasons to raise Katahdin sheep - though the list is by no means exhaustive! The Katahdin hair sheep is the fastest growing breed in the United States. Instead, I get raving reports back and I never seem to have enough market lambs to make everyone happy. So, what about littering the pasture with wool? Katahdin Sheep: Facts, Lifespan, Behavior & Care Guide (With Pictures Unfortunately, Mr. Piel did not live long enough to see his breed reach having a registry and breed standards. Technical Abstract: The best genetics wont keep an animal from starving to death. Vigorous growers, the Icelandic produce lambs that are market-ready at 70-100 pounds in as little as 4-5 months. Dries Wiese, the owner and Studbreeder, was 9 years old when his father bought him his first . Lambing %: Given an average lambing percent of 150 and 3 lambing in 2 years, Dorper will produce 2.25 lambs on an annual basis. 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. Its also common to see animals of up to a year old climbing to the top of a big bale of hay. Ewes typically reach sexual maturity by 7 months. Originally, the established buyers at auctions resisted hairsheep in general and they fetched lower prices in places like New Holland. Ultimate Guide. Now meat sheep producers are lucky if wool prices cover . There is no such thing as an ideal breed. take it from me, you dont have to worry about anyone getting too fat. There is a growing market demand for high-quality, naturally-fed lamb. Check out my article Best Sheep for Wool: Top 8 Sheep Breeds for Wool. Dorper sheep are exceptionally popular amongst both hobbyists and commercial homesteads. People in the Midwest or southern states see this and make a trip to Alberta to purchase a super ram. Unfortunately, as the percentage of Dorper increases, more wool is found in their coat and some animals lose some of their shedding ability. For registered breeding stock, permanent wooly fibers are a no-no. Carcass Composition of Hair Sheep Breeds and Crosses - Virginia Tech To be successful, you must sell quality, and I stress quality animals; send anything else to slaughter. You can check my blog at Merino sheep for sale. This is inconvenient since you must pasture ram lambs separately from ewes to prevent unplanned pregnancies. I cant speak to colder temperatures, taking zero degrees without a problem is good enough for me. People converting to hair sheep breeds all notice certain things. How do you decide which breed is right for your needs? Is there any way to contact him? Mating season for Suffolk sheep usually happens in the Autumn or Winter of each year, as it is for most sheep breeds. Dorper sheep Revolutionizing the meat sheep industry If this same time is spent building homestead fencing, watersystems, improving lambing or handling facilities, its improving an operation. Are Llamas Dangerous? To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Cheviots are easy to breed, meeting a 90% lambing average without assistance. Your email address will not be published. It improves from year one to year two of age but can again be reduced by external factors like disease or weight loss. Continue with Recommended Cookies. -. 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. Lambs are efficient producers of meat. Blackbellys are often left unvaccinated due to their disease and parasite resistance (though of course, we recommend you do your research on the breed and talk to a vet about what they recommend for vaccinating). This information is important to producers and extension agents with an interest in hair sheep. 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. If you consider hairsheep like White Dorpers in the future dont forget to ask the breeder about the shedding ability of their flock! This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Katahdin Hair Sheep International Dorper Sheep - Sheep Breed Series - YouTube 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. Consider the pros and cons featured above before making your decision. Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. 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. 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. Half of the group thinks it is okay to feed hot sheep, the other half disagrees. Several Polypay owners in the area worm all animals 6-8 times during the summer and still lose animals to stomach worms. Id recommend getting in touch with the author of this article- he might have some good insight for you. Can someone tell me a few of the pros and cons for both dorper sand katahdin. Origin: This breed was developed or evolved on the Eastern Caribbean Island of Barbados. The first generation grows quite well due to the heterosis effect, but nearly always has a wool coat. Katahdin Dorper cross ram lambs for Sale - Highnote Alabama if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'savvyfarmlife_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_3',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-savvyfarmlife_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Being native to Iceland, this breed is exceptionally cold-hardy, and is an excellent and efficient forager making it able to thrive and find food in harsh environments. In addition to being a smaller breed, the lambs tend to mature slowly, not reaching ideal market weight until around 2 years of age. An interesting study was done that showed the parasite resistance was higher in the purebred hair sheep over the crossbred shedding sheep. We have all three breeds. They are attentive, protective, and make excellent mothers. I used purebred as opposed to full blood White Dorper rams to upgrade my flock. He can be reached at 585-554-3313 or by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com. Sheep for sale: young grass-fed butcher ram lambs (Dorper & Katahdin) They do produce wool, and will need to be shorn annually. Have good flocking instinct. Im sorry I cannot help you. As one of the most populous sheep breeds in America, the Suffolk is a popular choice for meat producers. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Most Muslims prefer intact ram lambs without tails being docked. That is normal. Royal White Sheep Breed - Learn Natural Farming Currently have a friend running dorper but was looking at katahdins since they are a little bigger. Im Carmella. It should be kept in mind that performance varies greatly with genetic, management, climate, etc. BREEDING DORPER SHEEP Katahdin Sheep - MAD-KETTLE FARM - KATAHDIN SHEEP AND DEXTER CATTLE This behavior causes problems with maintaining desirable trees unless protection is provided. Some are calling these shedding sheep. mantap ! American Blackbelly Three ewes needed assistance lambing (one got it, the other two didnt and lost their lambs), one of which was 8 years old. 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. As we train border collies for sheep and cattle trials and we need a few different types of sheep. No difference was noted between the purebred breeds of hair sheep. Vet. Dorper vs Katahdin sheep? | Homesteading Forum This is down to the fantastic range of benefits they deliver. View Details. Suffolk meat is hailed as lean and somewhat sweet, with a good muscle to fat ratio. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Extremely reactive to dogs and cats usually as though they wish to flee. While Dorper sheep are considered a hair breed, Ive found a large number have quite a bit of wool or curly fibers in their coat. I usually harvest my lambs between 80 and 90 lbs. To properly flush a ewe, she should be on an upward nutritional plane and gaining weight. Thank you. Dorpers are well-known to mature early as well, with most lambs considered market-ready in as little as 4 months old. Breed ideal for pasture lambing and grass/forage based management systems. Interested in raising sheep for wool? Four years ago we began converting all our cropland into pasture and expanded the flock. We are fortunate that buyers for the large ethnic market in St. Louis often attend sales. Ewes will weigh an average of 190 pounds, with rams reaching up to 300 pounds. This is a very old article and I do not have the contact info for John. While many of the characteristics hair animals possess appeal to the hobby flock owner, we expect an animal to make us money; if it doesnt, its gone. A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. If there were a hair Hampshire or Suffolk that would do a better job, wed be raising them. As with any young growing animal, the weight gains of a Katahdin lamb increase as the protein and digestibility of the forage increases. Hi Joanne. 199 Effects of high heat load conditions on Dorper, Katahdin, and St Please indicate pricing as well. Since todays hair sheep breeds are developed from hardy ancestors, they are considered easy keepers because they have a natural resistance to disease and parasites. Dorper Sheep Breed Information, History & Facts - RaisingSheep.net They shed their winter coats during spring and early summer. The Dorpers get so quiet and even a little lazy that the dogs really have to work hard to make them move much. JavaScript is disabled. A ewes wool will pay her winter feed bill. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 170 200 (can be less than 170lb), Ram = 220 250. Today I have 1/2, 3/4, 7/8th, and 15/16th White Dorper sheep. I think that we are asking for bloat. That applies to purebred WD market lambs as well. When the weathers hot and the pastures are dry, their wool animals will be under a tree while the hair animals are out grazing. Why they are Crossed Waco Childbirth Education 74 subscribers Subscribe 127 Share. The reproductive rate of true hair sheep is excellent. Katahdin Pedigrees Public Area Members List. Originating in South Africa, these lovable and attractive sheep tend to come with a lot more pros than cons. Katahdins are awesome and productive mothers plus they are a very hardy breed and the Dorper will put more size on the meat sheep. Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. They dont need to be sheared, they have a docile temperament making them easy to handle, and they are resistant to disease. Shear force values were greatest, tougher, for Dorset-sired than Dorper-sired or Katahdin lambs. Thank so much for this information. Early maturing Terminal cross lambs. It was a fairly bold move at the time since it meant giving up on the customers who bought breeding stock from me, and since I also didnt know how well my market lambs would sell. They started with an idle, tired farm and through years of blood, sweat and tears have transformed it into a vibrant . Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. For example, cold wind and warm sun quickly result in herd finding shelter under conditions when woolen sheep remain in the open. ~Ann, Your email address will not be published. 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. What is worse, however, is the fact that there are breeders who do not select for shedding ability and for the show ring instead. Photo courtesy of: Dr. Stephan A. Wildeus. However, they are suitable for markets requiring smaller carcass size. 46:131-143.. Making a Good Ewe Flock. Average weight for the Cheviot is 130 175 pounds. You can also use them for multiple income streams thanks to their excellent meat and milk production. 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. Sheep Breeds - UF/IFAS Extension As wild sheep were domesticated, breeding for increased wool came into practice. Crossing with the Dorper led tothis larger hair breed. Beginning in the mid-1950s, Piel imported three St.Croix sheep. Signatures of selection for resistance to - BMC Genomics Katahdins are docile, medium-sized sheep; ewes weigh 125 to 185 pounds, rams 180 to 250 pounds. However, in older hairsheep the flavor is still impressive due to the genetic factor. The Dorper and the Katahdin were derived from very different types of hair sheep. My Texel sheep had served me well with their ability to finish on pasture, with their excellent meaty carcasses and with their lambing percentage of over 200 percent. The breed was created by crossing Dorset and Blackheaded Persian sheep. Sales of sheep meat and sheep breeding stock are on the rise in the United States and Canada. They will stand on their hind feet like goats to strip any low hanging limbs of their leaves. Sheep for Meat: 10 Best Sheep Breeds for Meat - Savvy Farm Life 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. They are also well suited to survive in the arid extensive regions of South Africa. Thank you for stopping by, and best of luck with your farm! Like most of the sheep listed here, Texel lambs reach market size quickly, by 5-6 months. The breed was created by crossing Dorset and Blackheaded Persian sheep. Dorper Vs Katahdins | Homesteading Forum Because of their hair, they do not produce the lanolin that can lend gaminess to the meat, giving it a milder flavor. Katahdins have generated a great deal of interest from all parts of North America. Some Ideas About Crossbreeding Sheep | Oklahoma State University FLAVOR In Canada, Katahdin sheep commonly gain well over a pound per day. 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. They were significantly more reasonably priced and for practical matters were the same. Sheep Breeds - North Florida Livestock Agents' Group - UF/IFAS i do not want to cull her from the flock! Sheep: Dorper, White Dorper and Australian White Sheep Exports In addition, shearing is not a requirement thereby reducing operational cost. Feel free to contact the author, Ulf Kintzel, at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com for further information. . There are black headed Dorpers (most common) and white Dorpers (harder to find). Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. The majority of ewe lambs are sold as registered breeding stock; the majority of ram lambs are sold for slaughter. A common lamb on good pasture will perform better than Super Lamb on poor pasture. How do you collect wool from self-shearing sheep? Dorset ewes weigh approximately 150-200 pounds, with the rams weighing on average 275 pounds. But what about the market lambs getting too fat? When the pastures are poor, hair animals hold their body condition much better. Katahdins are alert, protective mothers. The shedding process may take some getting used to but will not litter your pasture with wool Photographer: Ulf Kintzel. 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. I have noticed that some lambs are showing caramel patches. Hi just wondering it may be a silly question anyways can you milk Dorper sheep. In terms of temperament, cost, and maintenance, they are both excellent options. Secrets of Raising Katahdin Sheep - Countryside Cornell University is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogoh:n (the Cayuga Nation). Work with your states department of agriculture if youre interested in export sales. Environmental Adaptability: Withstand heat and cold well, and part of this adjustment to extremes is behavioral. Lambing %: Approximately 125%, exceeding 200% with subsequent lambing. They require less worming medications as a general rule. They are excellent mothers. The ability of this breed to put grass into weight gain is remarkable. Their hair falls off naturally during the year, making them an easy breed to care for. This increases the risk of falls and injury, which can be expensive to fix. As they say, the proof is in the pudding eating. Katahdin Dorper The Dorper is a mutton breed of hair sheep developed in the 1930s. its ok to wean the lamb as soon as possible. Hair sheep have some attributes that make them admirably suited to fill market niches or fit varying production systems in Florida.
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