The percentage of 15/16 is considered purebred. Posted 11/18/2019 21:09 (#7854689) Subject: Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. The breed was developed in the mid-1950s by crossing imported St. Croix Sheep and several other breeds, including the Suffolk Sheep. (A friend with Polypay and Katahdin sheep has had the same experience. The Katahdins in the study had a consistently less barber pole worm infestation rate compared to the Dorper and Dorset crosses. Anymore (at least in Missouri) its the carcass quality that sets the price. He is a native of Germany and lives in the US since 1995. Katahdins tend to birth twins, with triplets and quadruplets occurring often with good flock management. Future importations to university breeding flocks led to the development of the American Blackbelly sheep breed. 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. Katahdins are a popular meat breed for sheep farmers. There are black headed Dorpers (most common) and white Dorpers (harder to find). The Kasteel White Dorper Stud farm lies in an arid area of the Republic of South Africa, called the Great Karoo. 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. In colder zones they produce a very heavy winter coat that is shed in spring. Fact: In central Missouri, raising sheep for wool has been a losing proposition for a number of years. Some Ideas About Crossbreeding Sheep | Oklahoma State University i do not want to cull her from the flock! Our spring lambs require 4-5 pounds of dry matter forage to produce each pound of gain. Libyans prefer old worn out buck goats for their stronger flavor. Carefully breeding only the best stock will ensure that the extreme hardiness and good mothering ability remain. 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. Dorper's are by far the closest hair sheep to the wool breed. They also do well eating the vegetation that other species reject. Technical Abstract: In winter puts on coat that is shed as temperatures increase. Breeding Season: They breed throughout the year. If youre grazing crop-field aftermath, their coat will pick up trash where a Katahdin wont. Other than a few lambs for Hispanic weddings, we sell our slaughter animals through the local auction barn. In this area, hair sheep often sell higher than wool sheep. Katahdin can be used for both meat and milk, whereas Dorper sheep are only good for meat production. Your email address will not be published. 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: Solid white or white with black head. Some Ewes shed coats after second lambing. . I love lambs Does lambs has less cholesterol than goat? Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. The Dorper have a black head extending in the neck, with a white body. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 120 - 160, Ram = 180 250. This breed produces rapid-growing lambs, with most lambs being considered ready for market at 12 weeks of age. Sheds coat as temperature and day length increase. Lamb comes from a sheep under the age of 1 year old. These include: The fact Dorper sheep are easy to breed is a huge advantage. If I took the chance and had her bred would she be able to carry her lamb/s? In Canada, Katahdin sheep commonly gain well over a pound per day. Like the Dorper, Dorset ewes are able to breed year-round and are not limited to a typical Fall/Winter breeding season. Hair sheep have some attributes that make them admirably suited to fill market niches or fit varying production systems in Florida. 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. ), more intense selection for increased body length and a ewe flock of around 160-175 ewes. so so far we are separating her and letting the pus drain What is the point of getting hairsheep when you end up shearing them? The hair sheep breeds lamb easily in the pasture and the lambs gain weight rapidly and develop to maturity quickly. 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. A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. Cole, N.A. We prefer using forage to produce lambs rather than wool. As mentioned earlier, hair sheep breeds are considerably more heat-tolerant than wool breeds. I would love to get in touch with the author personally. Dorper sheep have a distinctive appearance: black heads and white bodies. In 2001, my friend with Polypay paid $2 to shear $.50 worth of wool per animal. Since Missouri has more Katahdin sheep than any other state, the majority of export animals come from here. Westexas. JavaScript is disabled. He experimented with breeding them to meat breeds, finally reaching a point, in the 1970s, where he named the breed, Katahdins after a nearby mountain in his home state of Maine. The best genetics wont keep an animal from starving to death. We just started raising Katahdins this year. Dorpers are theoretically better muscled, meatier carcass, faster growing, but we haven't seen that to be true. Good luck! For several years weve had Romanov/Katahdin crosses. Effects of high heat load conditions on body weight, feed intake There are three main reasons to raise hair sheep. Katahdin Sheep: Facts, Lifespan, Behavior & Care Guide (With Pictures If there were a hair Hampshire or Suffolk that would do a better job, wed be raising them. You can find out more about lambing Dorper sheep through the American Dorper Sheep Breeders Society. Dorsets commonly produce twins and even triplets. 2022 Cornell Small Farms. No Need to Shear One of the most obvious benefits of raising Katahdin sheep is that they do not need to be sheared on an annual or twice-per-year basis. They do produce wool, and will need to be shorn annually. Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. Why they are Crossed The Katahdin breed is an easy to care for, meat type sheep, naturally tolerant of climatic extremes and capable of high performance in a wide variety of environments. We are currently running 130 registered ewes with 10 commercial ewes that will be dispersed this year. I raise all my sheep and lambs strictly on pasture and feed no grain whatsoever. Work with your states department of agriculture if youre interested in export sales. When youre raising sheep for meat, the wool is a by-product. Texel sheep do best in colder climates, as they are exceptionally cold-hardy and have been known to be sensitive to the heat. BREEDING DORPER SHEEP To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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 can even crossbreed them to develop unique varieties for your farm or homestead. If ewes are fed well, lambing rate approaches the higher end. In years past, 18-30 pound lambs sold well in Chicago for Jewish Passover. They grow quickly and reach market weight early. The carcass of the Cheviot tends to be plump and meaty, with just enough fat to produce a succulent meat. The bodybuilder of the sheep world, the Texel sheep is known for its heavily-muscled and sturdy frame. Nick. For example, we consider time spent worming, shearing, docking and trimming hooves as merely maintaining an operation. The majority of ewe lambs are sold as registered breeding stock; the majority of ram lambs are sold for slaughter. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 70 -120, Ram = 110 140. 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. As one of the most populous sheep breeds in America, the Suffolk is a popular choice for meat producers. I am trying to locate a couple of nice ewe lambs now. The Dorper is a breed of sheep that originated in the south of Africa in the 1940's. It is the product of cross-breeding between the Dorset Horn and Blackhead Persian breeds. Our flock is managed through pasture rotation from April until late December. They do produce wool, and will need to be shorn annually. This is not a true hair sheep. 1. 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. These slaughter lambs sell comparable to pure Katahdin sheep per pound unless theyre full of cockleburs and briars. You can overcome this by making sure your walls are high enough, and that there is nothing in their enclosure that they can climb onto. Although they are one of the newest sheep breeds introduced in America, Katahdin sheep have quickly become a popular choice. Its also common to see animals of up to a year old climbing to the top of a big bale of hay. I'll be using my Barbados Blackbelly ram on my BB ewes and also a few Kathadin ewes. After slaughter, all thats left is hide, manure and stomach contents. The breed is actually very good for meat production, and it produce more meat than Dorper and Katahdin sheep. 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. Rams generally have horns. 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. It is common to have ewes lambing twice per year. It was bred from West African hair sheep and is extremely well-adapted to hot, humid conditions. 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. Everything You Need to Know About Hair Sheep - Cross S Ranch Despite being a hairsheep, White Dorpers do not lack winter hardiness Photographer: Ulf Kintzel. Why Katahdin x Dorper Crosses At Stoneheart Farms we specialize in Katahdin x Dorper crosses for exceptional market lambs and for replacement breeding stock. 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. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. 4 1. Later on I found out that this was the faster route to accomplish shedding in the offspring. $300. Differences in the taste of sheep breeds - BC Boards Nitrogen retention by lambs fed oscillating dietary protein concentrations. Several myths still surround hair sheep. We normally worm our lambs 3-4 times a summer and the ewes not at all. This information is important to producers and extension agents with an interest in hair sheep. Dorset ewes weigh approximately 150-200 pounds, with the rams weighing on average 275 pounds. Some general information on hair sheep is found on the next page. Dorpers DO NOT shed their coats as well and consistently as katahdins. Dorper sheep originated in South Africa and were the result of crossing Dorset Horn with Blackheaded Persian sheep. How the breed carries fat is, I think, important when dealing with older sheep. Coat & Color: Most of the individuals are white, but tan and spotted ones exist. Produce large amount of milk. Why they are Crossed Waco Childbirth Education 74 subscribers Subscribe 127 Share. Hair Sheep Breeds - The Right Choice for You? - Countryside Dorper Sheep: Characteristics, Origin & Uses - ROYS FARM They started with an idle, tired farm and through years of blood, sweat and tears have transformed it into a vibrant . (Weve heard them all.). 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. Ive spent my entire life around farm animals, and I created Savvy Farm Life to share the helpful information Ive learned over the years. 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. As wild sheep were domesticated, breeding for increased wool came into practice. Hair coat becomes thick and long as cold weather sets in and the length decreases. Like most of the sheep listed here, Texel lambs reach market size quickly, by 5-6 months. 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. They were significantly more reasonably priced and for practical matters were the same. 13 Hair Sheep Breeds You Should Know About - The Homesteading Hippy Why Katahdin x Dorper Crosses. When I look out in the paddock it looks like hell on earth but at the same time beautiful. There are many great options for meat-producing sheep. Katahdin Dorper cross ram lambs for Sale - Highnote Alabama or you can contact me at- Your email address will not be published. Blackbellys often breed easily and well, usually birthing multiple lambs in one breeding. Jacksonville, FL 32254. We let them be sheep and just help them along. 7 year old Katahdin ewe . Relative resistance of Dorper crossbred ewes to gastrointestinal nematode infection compared with St. Croix and Katahdin ewes in the southeastern United States. Thank you for stopping by, and best of luck with your farm! Fact: Eight or ten years ago you could expect a 5-10 cents/pound discount for hair animals. The Dorper has a high rate of lambing and is tolerant of the arid conditions it was developed for in South Africa. Currently have a friend running dorper but was looking at katahdins since they are a little bigger. The breed was created by crossing Dorset and Blackheaded Persian sheep. Some general information on hair sheep is found on the next page. Crossing these breeds with woolen breeds for efficient meat production does hold some potential. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Ewes are docile with good mothering ability. Cheviots produce alert, strong lambs who are efficient foragers. They naturally shed their wool throughout the seasons. They do produce wool, and will need regular shearing. The Dorper is highly adaptable and does well in harsh conditions. 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. Due to their superior conformation and shedding characteristics, they have become one of the most popular breeds of sheep in the U.S. They are attentive, protective, and make excellent mothers. Dries Wiese, the owner and Studbreeder, was 9 years old when his father bought him his first . A maternal breed, Katahdin ewes breed well with the Dorper rams to produce a meaty but feminine lamb. study was done that showed the parasite resistance. What You Need To Know. May-June lambs on pasture alone (10-13percentprotein and 60-65percent DOM) will average 45 pounds. Dorpers are well-known to mature early as well, with most lambs considered market-ready in as little as 4 months old. 2023, Countryside - All Rights Reserved, Raising Sheep For Profit: Milking Sheep Offer a Small Farm Alternative, Raising Sheep: Buying and Caring for Your First Flock, Raising Sheep For Profit: How to Sell Raw Fleece, Raising Sheep For Profit: A Cattle Man's View. How to Use Goats and Sheep to Clear Brush - Modern Farmer The SNPs in NOS2, TGFB2, and IL2RA genes were also observed with high genetic differentiation in the Katahdin and St. Croix vs Dorper analysis. Keep reading to learn more about the best sheep breeds for meat. Question is this common? University of South Dakota research found it requires 250-300 pounds of dry matter forage to produce each pound of wool. The customers, including the many ethnic customers, caught up and appreciate the milder flavor of hairsheep. and, as such, the data are estimates. Feeding Practices in Sheep - Merck Veterinary Manual The thickness of a Katahdin sheeps winter coat will vary among individuals, but it needs to shed completely for an A or AA coat classification, which is the norm. Im sure by now you have an answer. 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. This article first appeared in the May/June 2010 Hobby Farms. I like the Dorper temperament, generally they are a pretty docile breed. Dorper Sheep Breed Information, History & Facts - RaisingSheep.net Dorper Vs Katadhin Sheep: Which Is Better For Your Farm? take it from me, you dont have to worry about anyone getting too fat. 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. At that weight the fat cover did indeed get too much. They are prolific breeders as well, often producing twins. If this same time is spent building homestead fencing, watersystems, improving lambing or handling facilities, its improving an operation. Sheep Breeds - North Florida Livestock Agents' Group - UF/IFAS It improves from year one to year two of age but can again be reduced by external factors like disease or weight loss. Dorper fullbloods, Katahdin fullbloods and St Croix fullbloods, We have a nice big fullblood dorper ram that we are putting over the St Croix and the Katahdin. In conclusion, based on RT and RR, resilience to high HLI conditions ranked St. Croix > Katahdin > Dorper, with lowest . The Dorper originated in South Africa from crosses between the Dorset and the Blackhead Persian. 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). They can provide you with information pertaining to regulations, health requirements and local export brokers. 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. Arguments exist concerning the exact origin of the Barbados Blackbelly evidence is shown for both Africa or Barbados. Feel free to contact the author, Ulf Kintzel, at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com for further information. The Dorper carcass has a good conformation and fat distribution. They have less subcutaneous fat on average and are a bit leaner because there is less feathering in the muscles. Yes, you can milk Dorper sheep! ByBasil Bactawar, UF/IFAS Duval County Extension Service. Katahdins tend to birth twins, with triplets and quadruplets occurring often with good flock management. I shear myself and since I wanted to increase the size of my flock I was not looking forward to shearing even more sheep. Grazing animals put on weight quickly in preparation for the long winters. While I cant speak for other hair sheep breeds, Katahdin sheep are often more flighty than many other breeds: Several producers of both hair and wool animals have found coyote losses are considerably lower with Katahdins. Environmental Adaptability: Withstand higher heat and humidity than British sheep breeds. 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. Best Meat Cross-Breed with Katahdin Ram - Permies That's interesting! Suffolk ewes are excellent mothers and prolific breeders. Katahdin Sheep - Kiko and Boer Goats Breeders often use less-expensive Katahdin ewes to initiate an upgrading program with registered Dorper as the final goal. I have a very small Dorper ewe, she is 7 months old but very small. Bred to produce less back fat, their meat is lean and flavorful. There are without a doubt breeds that surpass White Dorper sheep in one or the other trait. But what about the market lambs getting too fat? The Katahdin is another great dual-purpose breed, producing on average 210 liters of milk per 210 day cycle. Katahdins are medium size, hardy, low-maintenance, and have a high-quality carcass weight. There were sequential 2-wk. 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. Crossing with the Dorper led tothis larger hair breed. 2 are Katahdin and 2 are katahdin/dorper crosses. The Katahdan tend to be a little more "active", in general not quite as docile, though many would disagree but they are still quiet. Difference in color is a matter of preference. 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. Signatures of selection in sheep and goats infected with Haemonchus About - stoneheartfarm The Dorper has been very effective in increasing the growth rate, carcass size and quality of all the typical hair-type breeds such a the Barbados, Katahdin, St. Croix, the Mexican Pelibuey and other breeds that are considered exotic types. They have woolier coats and are slower to shed (most of them). My Dorper ram is not really large but he is bigger than her. Our paddocks are grazed for 5-7 days followed by 25-34 days of . The number of feedings can be reduced over time to twice a day by 3-4 weeks of age. Research has shown Dorper have good parasite tolerance or resilience rather than resistance. Hi Joanne. -. Black color covers belly, inside legs and thighs and extends up to the neck. Your email address will not be published. After being in the business of raising wool sheep of various kinds for two decades, I decided in 2005 to start with hair sheep. I bottle fed him for three months and give him grain 2x a day, and free choice hay as well as pasture grass. Will they settle into a seasonal pattern or will they breed continually? Ulf, How often do dorpers have breeding problems and we will then have to pull the lambs? Looking forward to reply. It is a very hardy breed and is disease resistant. We both work off thefarm; therefore time is a commodity in short supply. Featured Listing. The desire to climb mandates the use of a bale ring to prevent excessive waste. Early maturing Terminal cross lambs.

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