In California prices for hair sheep have surpassed prices for wool sheep and in New Holland they are catching up. As you can see in picture Spike has some tiny horn buds; they have never grown . Three ewes needed assistance lambing (one got it, the other two didnt and lost their lambs), one of which was 8 years old. while letting some lambs reach weights up to 100+ lbs. Q. Staking livestock to a rope and expecting them to clear vegetation is ineffective and can result in . You will always need to make compromises if you choose to have a purebred flock. I think that we are asking for bloat. Beginning in the mid-1950s, Piel imported three St.Croix sheep. They are prolific breeders as well, often producing twins. What You Need To Know, link to Goats vs Sheep: Profit, Care & Behavioral Differences, Best Sheep for Wool: Top 8 Sheep Breeds for Wool. Twinning is common and triplets and quadruplets are not rare. I am new to the sheep business so I am concerned that she will never be large enough to breed. Why they are Crossed - YouTube 0:00 / 4:43 Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. Parasitol. $300. My friend also mentioned his Katahdin-Dorper lambs are much fatter when born than Polypays. Here is a list of the top 10 sheep breeds for meat:if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'savvyfarmlife_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_0',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-savvyfarmlife_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Sheep are one of the most versatile livestock animals you can find when it comes to the number of different products they are able to produce. Grading up to Dorper. Vigorous growers, the Icelandic produce lambs that are market-ready at 70-100 pounds in as little as 4-5 months. 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. This breed was imported in the US in 1904 and was crossed with Mouflon (wild sheep), Rambouillet and other European breeds to produce what is known as American Blackbelly. The reproductive rate of true hair sheep is excellent. We are interested purchasing Katahdin sheep and found this article very helpful. In winter puts on coat that is shed as temperatures increase. For more on the differences, plus potential pros and cons between the breeds, read on. 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. The flavor of the market lambs is in my opinion mostly influenced by the fact that these lambs are grass-fed. The outside temp is above 85* sheep are heaving and panting rapidly. Coat & Color: Most of the individuals are white, but tan and spotted ones exist. Suffolk ewes reach between 180-250 pounds, while rams can top out at 350 pounds. JavaScript is disabled. The ewes produce vigorous, healthy, robust lambs that have a high survivability. FLAVOR Also, much of the flavor ( good or bad) comes from the fat. I used to want a Dorper cross over Katahdin but finally got to see the results of this cross and was not very impressed with the results. For a number of years, there has been a good export market for ewe lambs going to Mexico. We live in central NSW ( Australia ) our usual rainfall is 30 inchs, temp range from -7 deg to 45 deg C ( yes 115 F ) but over the past 3 years we have been experiencing a huge drought. The Barbados Blackbelly got its name because of the characteristic black belly on an otherwise red brown coat. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare productive performance of F 1 Dp vs . May-June lambs on pasture alone (10-13percentprotein and 60-65percent DOM) will average 45 pounds. Cole, N.A. As mentioned earlier, theres no price discount for Katahdin sheep or Dorper sheep in central Missouri. 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 registered breeding stock, permanent wooly fibers are a no-no. I could always pick out the dorper/katahdin crosses. The Confederacy precedes the establishment of Cornell University, New York state, and the United States of America. I had a Texel flock of 100 breeding ewes at the time when I bought my first White Dorper rams. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Ewes have good mothering ability and lamb easily unassisted. Consider the pros and cons featured above before making your decision. Demand for Dorper breed, and specifically the black head Dorper, is experiencing an unprecedented surge here in the USA. They still dont take a huge amount of time to reach it, but it is something to be aware of if you are looking for fast production. Ultimate Guide. The breed was created by crossing Dorset and Blackheaded Persian sheep. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. if any one would be interested in buying some good quality Dorpers check out my website MGDorpers.com it is comming out soon! A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. Sheep will eat woody vegetation but prefer grass and weeds on the ground. When selecting breeding stock, choose animals with good feet. A unique characteristic about the Dorper is that they do not breed seasonally, instead they are able to breed year-around. 3 year old Dorper Katahdin Ram. The Blackbelly is a smaller breed of sheep, with ewes maturing at around 100 pounds, and rams weighing on average 120 pounds. How do you decide which breed is right for your needs? In addition, there is almost no incidence of flystrike with hair sheep breeds. Icelandic Sheep are another popular choice for meat, with ewes weighing an average of 150 pounds at maturity, and rams averaging 200 pounds. http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/Accursed/Smileys/waiting-bored-waiting-boy-smiley-em.gif, Birthing, Weaning, and Raising Young Sheep. They were called Africans at the time. we really enjoy that black baby lamb and she is 9 months old now. Some general information on hair sheep is found on the next page. Katahdins are awesome and productive mothers plus they are a very hardy breed and the Dorper will put more size on the meat sheep. This may or may not be the case in other states. There are lots of Dorper breeders in NC also, as well as "commercial" crossbreeds: You can search this site by States to find Scrapie-free certified breeders of sheep and goats: 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. Because of their hair, like the Dorper they do not produce lanolin which will give their meat a milder taste. In lambs, grain feeding versus grass-fed has a greater influence on flavor than the differences in breeds. The Cornell Small Farms Program is housed at Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) in Ithaca, NY, and works in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension across New York State. Dorper sheep originated in South Africa and were the result of crossing Dorset Horn with Blackheaded Persian sheep. Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. Well, at least Katahdins, St Croix and barbs. Good milkers, and is suggested not to wean lambs before three months. Four years ago we began converting all our cropland into pasture and expanded the flock. 46:131-143.. Making a Good Ewe Flock. Most hair sheep breeds will lamb out of season without resorting to hormone therapy. Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. Just like the Katahdin, you do not have to shear them as they shed their winter coat in the spring. He can be reached at 585-554-3313 or by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com. Like the Dorper, Dorset ewes are able to breed year-round and are not limited to a typical Fall/Winter breeding season. Hair sheep primer . A common lamb on good pasture will perform better than Super Lamb on poor pasture. Breed ideal for pasture lambing and grass/forage based management systems. I direct sell a great number of lambs. 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. ), In fall 2000, we grazed our flock on cocklebur and waterhemp that followed an oat crop. I cant speak to colder temperatures, taking zero degrees without a problem is good enough for me. This composite "easy-care" breed was developed from crosses of African hair sheep and a variety of wool breeds with selection for a hair coat, prolificacy, and conformation. Katahdins tend to birth twins, with triplets and quadruplets occurring often with good flock management. As mentioned earlier, the Katahdin breed has served us well. All Rights Reserved | Website by Maple Creative, buildwithmaple.com. This breed is medium-sized and is hardy with a high-quality carcass. They do produce wool, and will need to be shorn annually. Cheviots produce alert, strong lambs who are efficient foragers. The Gayogoh:n are members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign Nations with a historic and contemporary presence on this land. For several years weve had Romanov/Katahdin crosses. It should be kept in mind that performance varies greatly with genetic, management, climate, etc. You must log in or register to reply here. There are three main reasons to raise hair sheep. And does anyone have experience with katahdin ewes on dorper bucks . If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. They are well adapted to a variety of climatic and grazing conditions. He seems pretty big to me, but since he is my first sheep, I dont know what he should weigh. It should be kept in mind that performance varies greatly with genetic . We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Please indicate pricing as well. Are you interested in raising sheep for meat? This, alongside their easy-going dietary needs, really cut down the cost of keeping them. Posted 11/18/2019 21:09 (#7854689) Subject: Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. There are very few disadvantages of keeping Katahdin sheep. Now meat sheep producers are lucky if wool prices cover . American Blackbelly These breeds are called hair sheep because the coat consists of hair more like that of cattle and many goats rather than wool. Choosing breeding stock with this in mind can avoid this problem. 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. Dries Wiese, the owner and Studbreeder, was 9 years old when his father bought him his first . The Katahdin sheep breed was developed in Maine to help clear brush in powerline corridors. a From the review: Notter, g. 1978. Future importations to university breeding flocks led to the development of the American Blackbelly sheep breed. Weight Gain/Daily: 0.57 lbs under intensive production. The Dorper originated in South Africa from crosses between the Dorset and the Blackhead Persian. "Shearing the wool was tough," he recalls, but the price paid for wool nearly covered feed costs. A large-framed, late-maturing breed will not have the necessary carcass quality at these weights, whereas Katahdin sheep or Dorpers will. Feed conversion is good since these sheep fatten easily on less than ideal pasture and forage. How often do dorpers have breeding problems and we will then have to pull the lambs? As well as a hand full of peanuts every day. Of the ewe lambs exposed, 95 percent gave birth at the age of 11-13 months. J. Anim Sci 77:215-222. We normally worm our lambs 3-4 times a summer and the ewes not at all. Yes, you can milk Dorper sheep! My question is, how much should he weigh. If you plan on raising lambs for meat, youll need to know everything that comes with taking care of baby sheep. This article first appeared in the May/June 2010 Hobby Farms. I had heard all the negatives about them such as The lambs get too fat, The lambs sell for less money at auctions, The pasture will be littered with wool as these sheep shed, and They get too cold in the winter. Interested in raising sheep for wool? We have just over 1200 breeding ewes & aim for around 2000 when things get better. Thanks for the belly shaking laugh! Theyre too small to be of commercial value. 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. 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. Typically, the 75 percent Dorper crosses will exhibit the Dorper coloration and conformation. 2022 Cornell Small Farms. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. Mexicans prefer a larger lamb, and let nothing go to waste. Several myths still surround hair sheep. Their hair falls off naturally during the year, making them an easy breed to care for. 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. One of the first breeds to be recognized for its commercial production, the rams can reach more than 250 lbs. Unlike meat goats, hair sheep are resistant to many of the parasites shed by cattle. We had the idea of crossing a Dorper with their 60 Katahdin ewes. 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! This increases the risk of falls and injury, which can be expensive to fix. Lambs are efficient producers of meat. Ron remembers raising wool sheep as a teenager. 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.. Most lambs are considered market-ready by 9-12 weeks. Best guess is he is 175-200 lbs. For instance, they have extended breeding season, and can be used to produce lambs to be marketed when lamb prices are usually high thereby reducing marketing risks. Dorper Sheep. In a second study, Dorper or Dorset sired lambs were compared to Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix or Katahdin lambs. The shedding ability of this breed varies greatly. 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. Is there any way to contact him? Lamb comes from a sheep under the age of 1 year old. There was only the body fleece that needed shearing. Half of the group thinks it is okay to feed hot sheep, the other half disagrees. Disposition & Mothering Ability: Ewes are docile with good mothering ability. They also are not limited to a breeding season, conceiving year round. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Katahdins are medium size, hardy, low-maintenance, and have a high-quality carcass weight. At Kettle Haven Ranch we specialize in Katahdin x Dorper crosses for exceptional market lambs and for replacement breeding stock. While there are far fewer cons than there are pros for keeping Dorper sheep, you do need to consider the potential downsides. Twice a year my friend with Polypays shows up at work doubled over as he shuffles around in pain. Tunis sheep are able to thrive in a variety of climates, and tolerate both heat and cold well. Fact: Katahdin sheep, at least, will thrive from hot, humid Florida to the western provinces of Canada. Research has shown Dorper have good parasite tolerance or resilience rather than resistance. There is no such thing as an ideal breed. Required fields are marked *. I can only put this down to past genetics. Request PDF | Signatures of selection in sheep and goats infected with Haemonchus contortus | Host genetic variation for resistance to Haemonchus contortus allows selective breeding of animals for . Sheep and cattle have different grazing needs and preferences, and the sheep will clean up the growth that doesnt appeal to the cows. The Dorper has a high rate of lambing and is tolerant of the arid conditions it was developed for in South Africa. There are a lot of advantages to keeping Dorper sheep in the US. 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. 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. Good luck! A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. Will they settle into a seasonal pattern or will they breed continually? I have seen many Dorper X Katahdins which are small and the only sign they have Dorper in them is the fact that they have black heads, if they had been crossed with a white Dorper, one would assume that there was no Dorper in there at all. 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. "Dorper sheep are barrel-shaped with a well-muscled back end. An older, fat sheep is likely where the reputation of nasty mutton comes from. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Despite being a hairsheep, White Dorpers do not lack winter hardiness Photographer: Ulf Kintzel. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 80 pounds at 90 days can be expected. To showcase the commercial qualities of our animals, all breeding stock we sell comes directly from pasture, having received no special treatment. Market Weight/Live/Age: 80 110 lbs / 5.5 6 months. 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. It is a very hardy breed and is disease resistant. What is the point of getting hairsheep when you end up shearing them? 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). To learn more about how you can make money off of sheep, read my article What Do Sheep Produce? This is inconvenient since you must pasture ram lambs separately from ewes to prevent unplanned pregnancies. He can be reached by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com or by phoneduring calling hour specified on his answering machineat 585-554-3313. Just like to make a comment. The major disadvantage is that they grow slower and produce a lighter weight carcass than most breeds of European origin. My customers are also distributors of various sizes who sell mainly at restaurants and their private customers. Crossing these breeds with woolen breeds for efficient meat production does hold some potential. 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. We currently have about 100 ewes. These slaughter lambs sell comparable to pure Katahdin sheep per pound unless theyre full of cockleburs and briars. 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. I really like all three breeds. Breed utilization for meat production in sheep. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Plainview, Tx. Tunis sheep are known to have an excellent flavor of meat. Generally, hair breeds are more heat tolerant than wool breeds. They are seasonal breeders, conceiving in the Fall and Winter. Thank so much for this information. Originally bred for their meat, the Katahdin tends to have a wider variation of milk production - some ewes producing significantly more (or significantly less) than the average. There are many great options for meat-producing sheep. We are currently using rams with high shedding scores, while culling heavily on production traits. However, they are suitable for markets requiring smaller carcass size. 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. Myth #2: Hair sheep don't bring as much on the slaughter market. Members List; Customize Search Results Format: Quick Search: Flock ID: Member Name: Farm Name: State: Records 1 - 100 of 1770 records found matching your criteria: All Records : Page 1 of 18 Go To Page . As a bit of trivia, the majority of cull ewes the U.S. exports go to the Mexico City area. In Canada, Katahdin sheep commonly gain well over a pound per day. But the pasture littered with wool as I had feared just did not happen. Dorset sheep have lean and muscular carcasses, making them excellent at producing meat. In South Africa, the Dorper is likewise most commonly found in arid and semi . ), more intense selection for increased body length and a ewe flock of around 160-175 ewes. Origin: This mutton breed was developed in South Africa in the 1930s from Dorset Horn and Blackheaded Persia for the extensive regions of South Africa. Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. Royal Whites are more recent in the hair sheep scene and development is still ongoing. His website address is www.whitecloversheepfarm.com. Dorper lambs have amazing growth rates when young. take it from me, you dont have to worry about anyone getting too fat. I had on occasion lambs butchered that exceeded 110 pounds. 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. Though large in size, Hampshire sheep tend to be a docile and easy-going breed. My wife and I feel theres no best breed, but rather which breed best fits your operation. After slaughter, all thats left is hide, manure and stomach contents. They can mature to be up to 6 tall, can reach over 400 pounds, and they dont back down Goats vs Sheep: Profit, Care & Behavioral Differences. As one of the most populous sheep breeds in America, the Suffolk is a popular choice for meat producers. The Katahdan tend to be a little more "active", in general not quite as docile, though many would disagree but they are still quiet. "We liked their look," Ruby puts in. This behavior causes problems with maintaining desirable trees unless protection is provided. To be successful, you must sell quality, and I stress quality animals; send anything else to slaughter. As a result, about 50 percent of the first generation of White Dorper cross bred sheep shed partially or mostly. Considered to be the 2nd most popular breed of sheep in the US, the Dorset sheep is another solid meat-producer. Why they are Crossed Waco Childbirth Education 74 subscribers Subscribe 127 Share. Origin: This breed was developed or evolved on the Eastern Caribbean Island of Barbados. I no longer sell at livestock auctions mainly because I dont have to. Our flock is managed through pasture rotation from April until late December. Average Birth Weight (Lbs): 7 lbs for small lambs, 4-5 lbs for twin lambs. This is a very old article and I do not have the contact info for John. I have a pet ram lamb, texel dorset cross I was told. The Dorper grows more wool but self-sheds annually. Dorper sheep are exceptionally popular amongst both hobbyists and commercial homesteads. Market Weight/Live/Age: 110 lbs / 7 8 months, Professional Horticulture and Pest Services, Breed Directory- American Sheep Industry Association, Hair Sheep Production and Marketing Including Some Breeds, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, 1010 N. McDuff Avenue This is not a true hair sheep. However, if thats what you are looking for then this breed might not be for you. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 120 - 160, Ram = 180 250. They have less subcutaneous fat on average and are a bit leaner because there is less feathering in the muscles. Apparently, Momma Kathadin doesnt wait around to see what happens when Mr. Coyote shows up for dinner. Romanov The Romanov breed may not be as popular as the Katahdin and Dorper, but it holds a very important value in this . They are excellent foragers. Currently have a friend running dorper but was looking at katahdins since they are a little bigger. As a result, the Katahdin is the most common hair sheep in America. Dorset lambs, like the Suffolk and Dorper, mature quickly and are market-ready earlier than many other breeds. In addition, shearing is not a requirement thereby reducing operational cost. The Dorper has a high rate of lambing and is tolerant of the arid conditions it was developed for in South Africa. People converting to hair sheep breeds all notice certain things. 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. We just started raising Katahdins this year. They require less worming medications as a general rule. marina@mgdorpers.com. About. for info and videos along with books and much more! The Dorper is highly adaptable and does well in harsh conditions. Katahdins are a popular meat breed for sheep farmers. The ancestry is believed to be of both African hair sheep and European breeds. 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. I think this is where the good reputation of hair sheep comes in. There is a growing market demand for high-quality, naturally-fed lamb. 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. Ulf Kintzel owns and manages White Clover Sheep Farm (www.whitecloversheepfarm.com) in Rushville, NY where he breeds grass-fed White Dorper sheep. We let them be sheep and just help them along. What is worse, however, is the fact that there are breeders who do not select for shedding ability and for the show ring instead. I have no way of weighing him. They are hardy and do well in range. Katahdins have hair and not wool, which means they are a low-maintenance breed that will shed their hair naturally. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. It is common to have ewes lambing twice per year. Do you have to go around picking it up out of the pasture? 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.

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