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. Between their size and their courage, llamas may seem intimidating at first. take it from me, you dont have to worry about anyone getting too fat. However, if thats what you are looking for then this breed might not be for you. The Katahdin and the St Croix give the dogs a little more run for their money, but they are not silly and bounce off fences like some other breeds can even with a lot of handling. 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. Their main advantage is that they adapt well to hot humid climate where woolen breeds do not thrive well. They can provide you with information pertaining to regulations, health requirements and local export brokers. 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. Can someone tell me a few of the pros and cons for both dorper sand katahdin. Origin: Developed in the Virgin Islands for crosses of West African hair sheep and Wiltshire Horn. Katahdin x Texel. The Katahdins in the study had a consistently less barber pole worm infestation rate compared to the Dorper and Dorset crosses. while letting some lambs reach weights up to 100+ lbs. I shear myself and since I wanted to increase the size of my flock I was not looking forward to shearing even more sheep. The Dorper sheep is a meat sheep breed. But the pasture littered with wool as I had feared just did not happen. Some are calling these shedding sheep. Although the breed was created in the 1930s, it is still fairly new to the US. The percentage of 15/16 is considered purebred. They are seasonal breeders, conceiving in the Fall and Winter. 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 . You can even crossbreed them to develop unique varieties for your farm or homestead. Required fields are marked *. my ewe with CL has had her first batch of lambs last month and she is a really good mother! I would love to get in touch with the author personally. The bodybuilder of the sheep world, the Texel sheep is known for its heavily-muscled and sturdy frame. Choosing breeding stock with this in mind can avoid this problem. And does anyone have experience with katahdin ewes on dorper bucks . Like most of the sheep listed here, Texel lambs reach market size quickly, by 5-6 months.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'savvyfarmlife_com-leader-2','ezslot_10',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-savvyfarmlife_com-leader-2-0'); With an extended breeding season of nearly 5 months, Texel sheep are prolific breeders. They will stand on their hind feet like goats to strip any low hanging limbs of their leaves. We have a dispute between the members about feeding sheep after working them. These White Dorper female replacement lambs already look very much like purebred White Dorpers Photographer: Ulf Kintzel. You will always need to make compromises if you choose to have a purebred flock. If youre grazing crop-field aftermath, their coat will pick up trash where a Katahdin wont. For us, the Katahdin sheep breed fits our operation and our philosophy quite well. In this useful guide, youll discover the pros and cons of both Dorper and Katahdin sheep, alongside advice on choosing the best type for your farm or homestead. a From the review: Notter, g. 1978. 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. The ewes produce vigorous, healthy, robust lambs that have a high survivability. 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. After 13 years of medical education and military service they landed in Maine to put down roots. Dorpers tend to be a little larger, and Katahdins are excellent mothers, so a Dorper /Kathadin cross is nearly perfect. We have just over 1200 breeding ewes & aim for around 2000 when things get better. Royal Whites are more recent in the hair sheep scene and development is still ongoing. The lighter weights are the result of hot weather reducing forage intake (occurs with all grazing animals) and lowered nutritional quality of cool-season forages. There was only the body fleece that needed shearing. I'd go with Dorper ram on Katahdin ewes. The only problem with colesterol is that the big pharma found a new drug to sell. Coat & Color: Has a variety of color ranging from black and tan through yellow with variegated mottled pattern. I have a question. Two weeks later, the ewes hadnt lost any body condition. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 100 130, Ram = 120 150. Dorset lambs, like the Suffolk and Dorper, mature quickly and are market-ready earlier than many other breeds. Our paddocks are grazed for 5-7 days followed by 25-34 days of . Bosnians want 60-pound animals while Muslims often prefer 60-80 pound animals. Theyre too small to be of commercial value. However, if I consider the traits described in this article and add the easy lambing, good mothering and fertility as well as the calm disposition and eye appealing looks of these sheep to the mix, I have come very close to the ideal breed at least for my farming system and my market. If I took the chance and had her bred would she be able to carry her lamb/s? My friend also mentioned his Katahdin-Dorper lambs are much fatter when born than Polypays. The best genetics wont keep an animal from starving to death. Also, much of the flavor ( good or bad) comes from the fat. Tunis are solid breeders and excellent mothers. The majority of ewe lambs are sold as registered breeding stock; the majority of ram lambs are sold for slaughter. Of the ewe lambs exposed, 95 percent gave birth at the age of 11-13 months. Good luck! Sure enough, hes been trimming hooves. This breed was developed after 20 years of breeding and selection. Why Katahdin x Dorper Crosses At Stoneheart Farms we specialize in Katahdin x Dorper crosses for exceptional market lambs and for replacement breeding stock. 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. You have to pay to have it sheared once a year. Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. Dorper Sheep. The other half needed shearing. The Dorper carcass has a good conformation and fat distribution. -. Rather than stay in a group, they will scatter in all directions like a covey of quail. 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. Coat & Color: Most of the individuals are white, but tan and spotted ones exist. This information may be used to compare breeds of hair sheep. In addition, there is almost no incidence of flystrike with hair sheep breeds. Anymore (at least in Missouri) its the carcass quality that sets the price. 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. Twice a year my friend with Polypays shows up at work doubled over as he shuffles around in pain. Forty-six Dorper, 46 Katahdin, and 43 St. Croix female sheep (initial BW of 58, 59, and 46 kg, respectively, SEM = 1.75; 3.3 0.18 yr of age, 2.6 - 3.7) from 45 commercial farms in four regions of the USA (Midwest, Northwest, Southeast, and central Texas) were used to evaluate responses to high heat load index (HLI) conditions in a central . The coat is a mixture of hair and wool and will shed from animal in late spring/early summer. ~Ann, Your email address will not be published. I forgot to ask for notification via e-mail, so I am reposting my questions. 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 One needs to do a detail review of the information related to the hair breed one wishes to raise. To avoid the coloring and spots that come along with first and second generation cross breeding with Dorper sheep, I decided to go with White Dorper sheep (WD). The Katahdin hair sheep is the fastest growing breed in the United States. Three ewes needed assistance lambing (one got it, the other two didnt and lost their lambs), one of which was 8 years old. Cheviots are easy to breed, meeting a 90% lambing average without assistance. As far as winter hardiness is concerned, I have my sheep out in zero degree weather. Dorpers DO NOT shed their coats as well and consistently as katahdins. Since these breeds are so adaptable, when found in colder climates, the hair sheep adapt by growing a thicker undercoat. . Our spring lambs on pasture alone (17-20 percent protein and 65-72percentdigestible organic matter-DOM) will average 55-60 pounds. We find its seldom necessary to trim hooves. This is down to the fantastic range of benefits they deliver. Early maturing Terminal cross lambs. They have incredible growth of lambs at butcher weight within 6-8 months with carcass weights in the 45-60 lb range. Photo courtesy of:Dr. Stephan A. Wildeus. The Katahdin sheep breed was developed in Maine to help clear brush in powerline corridors. It is also well established that heavy grain feeding does not suit these medium sized sheep since they thrive on so little. As you can see in picture Spike has some tiny horn buds; they have never grown . 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. You will want to take into account the mature size of the animal (you can expect to yield 40% of an animals live weight in meat), the quality of meat, and whether it will tolerate your climate. Hair sheep dont bring as much on the slaughter market. The Royal White sheep shed their wool naturally, it saves the cost of shearing. Typically, the 75 percent Dorper crosses will exhibit the Dorper coloration and conformation. 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. Will they settle into a seasonal pattern or will they breed continually? Disposition & Mothering Ability: Extremely reactive to dogs and cats usually as though they wish to flee. Research has shown Dorper have good parasite tolerance or resilience rather than resistance. 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. While both breeds are exceptionally popular in the US, there are some differences between the two. They require less worming medications as a general rule. Consider the pros and cons featured above before making your decision. Unsave Save. I dont want him to get unhealthily fat. Shear force values were greatest, tougher, for Dorset-sired than Dorper-sired or Katahdin lambs. Dorper sheep originated in South Africa and were the result of crossing Dorset Horn with Blackheaded Persian sheep. 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. Currently have a friend running dorper but was looking at katahdins since they are a little bigger. Suffolk meat is hailed as lean and somewhat sweet, with a good muscle to fat ratio. The entire belly is black including areas between the legs, nose and forehead. Dorset ewes weigh approximately 150-200 pounds, with the rams weighing on average 275 pounds. 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. Good milkers, and is suggested not to wean lambs before three months. I sell a lot of culled ewes as roasts, ground meat, stew meat and various sausages. Can you advise on the availability of a good ram and 10-12 ewe lambs this Spring. My Dorper ram is not really large but he is bigger than her. At that weight there are no problems with too much fat cover whatsoever. Some European sheep genetics were incorporated into the African sheep to arrive at the existing hair breeds mentioned above. They will definitely get too fat. Its important to have an animal thats pure or unaltered for sacrifice in observance of many holidays. Like most of the sheep listed here, Texel lambs reach market size quickly, by 5-6 months. However, they have been cross-bred with other breeds over the years to develop the modern breed we see today. 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. Bred sheep/ewes (Dorper and Katahdin), bred to a show ram. Katahdin ewes weigh around 125-185 pounds, and rams average around 200 pounds. If this same time is spent building homestead fencing, watersystems, improving lambing or handling facilities, its improving an operation. We prefer using forage to produce lambs rather than wool. We have members from Mexico to Northern Canada and have exported to Ecuador, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, United Kingdom, Chile, and Central America. Suffolk grow wool continuously, and will need to be sheared annually. I used purebred as opposed to full blood White Dorper rams to upgrade my flock. The low maintenance qualities of Katahdins allow us the time to do so. Featured Listing. The cross breeding results in the best of both breeds but also in the benefits of heterosis, commonly known as hybrid vigor. Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. Libyans prefer old worn out buck goats for their stronger flavor. Very tolerant of the humid hot conditions in the Carribean andSomolia, Blackhead Persians have a white body and black head. Staking livestock to a rope and expecting them to clear vegetation is ineffective and can result in . "We liked their look," Ruby puts in. Ultimate Guide. To showcase the commercial qualities of our animals, all breeding stock we sell comes directly from pasture, having received no special treatment. Benefits of This Breed The Dorper are preferred for their excellent feed utilisation and conversion: they don't need shearing, crutching and mulesing, and they are disease resistant. We normally worm our lambs 3-4 times a summer and the ewes not at all. In many cases, farmers are adding hair sheep to pastures with cattle to maximize efficiency and for parasite control. Lambing %: Average lambing rate is between 150 and 250%. He is a native of Germany and lives in the US since 1995. As we train border collies for sheep and cattle trials and we need a few different types of sheep. This breed produces rapid-growing lambs, with most lambs being considered ready for market at 12 weeks of age. Lambing Interval:It ranges from 6 to 8 months. If ewes are fed well, lambing rate approaches the higher end. We had the idea of crossing a Dorper with their 60 Katahdin ewes. A large-framed, late-maturing breed will not have the necessary carcass quality at these weights, whereas Katahdin sheep or Dorpers will. There are very few disadvantages of keeping Katahdin sheep. My wife and I feel theres no best breed, but rather which breed best fits your operation. Fact: In central Missouri, raising sheep for wool has been a losing proposition for a number of years. Environmental Adaptability: Tolerant of both high and low temperatures. Kt ewes under low-input semiarid conditions of northern Mxico. Just like the Katahdin, you do not have to shear them as they shed their winter coat in the spring. In fact, when we have pot roast from a culled ewe I can still fool my wife into thinking we had lamb for dinner. One in particular is more like a paint horse. May 23, 2011 #3 Beekissed Herd Master Joined Aug 3, 2008 Messages 3,634 Reaction score 5,536 Points 453 Location mountains of WV As a result, about 50 percent of the first generation of White Dorper cross bred sheep shed partially or mostly. Crossbred individuals tend to be more vigorous, more fertile . I'll be using my Barbados Blackbelly ram on my BB ewes and also a few Kathadin ewes. The phrases youll hear most often is either mutton or lamb. Carefully breeding only the best stock will ensure that the extreme hardiness and good mothering ability remain. We saw their ad and went to look at their Dorper rams. 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. Fencing. Your email address will not be published. http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/Accursed/Smileys/waiting-bored-waiting-boy-smiley-em.gif, Birthing, Weaning, and Raising Young Sheep. The Dorper is a South African breed of domestic sheep developed by crossing Dorset Horn and the Blackhead Persian sheep.The breed was created through the efforts of the South African Department of Agriculture to breed a meat sheep suitable to the more arid regions of the country. Katahdin-sired lambs typically produce carcasses that are heavier in weight and more muscular than St. Croix or Barbados Blackbelly when harvested at a similar age. Plainview, Tx. 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. Thank you for stopping by, and best of luck with your farm! How often do dorpers have breeding problems and we will then have to pull the lambs? I have a pet ram lamb, texel dorset cross I was told. Relative resistance of Dorper crossbred ewes to gastrointestinal nematode infection compared with St. Croix and Katahdin ewes in the southeastern United States. The main differences between these two breeds are the colors available, and what they can be used for. Weight Gain/Daily: 0.57 lbs under intensive production. They like large groups of lambs on each farm, prefer solid colors, registered and must be enrolled in the scrapie program. And some shed one year but not totally the next for no apparent reason at all. for info and videos along with books and much more! 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. Breeding Season: They breed throughout the year. One of the first breeds to be recognized for its commercial production, the rams can reach more than 250 lbs. (Weve heard them all.). Environmental Adaptability: Well adapted to hot, dry, humid and wet conditions. The Blackbelly is a smaller breed of sheep, with ewes maturing at around 100 pounds, and rams weighing on average 120 pounds. Coat & Color: The coat can be reddish brown, tan or yellow. Westexas. Required fields are marked *. The first rams I purchased were of outstanding shedding ability. let me know! Dorper-sired lambs produce carcasses that are most similar in weight and muscling to that of wool breeds, but generally have greater fatness when slaughtered at the same age. Katahdins are awesome and productive mothers plus they are a very hardy breed and the Dorper will put more size on the meat sheep. Because of their hair, they do not produce the lanolin that can lend gaminess to the meat, giving it a milder flavor. Dries Wiese, the owner and Studbreeder, was 9 years old when his father bought him his first . It should be kept in mind that performance varies greatly with genetic, management, climate, etc. However, since Dorpers can also be found further North in colder climates, I am sure that a lack of winter hardiness is not a trait applying to Dorper sheep. Thirdly how long after separation to market. 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). Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 120 - 160, Ram = 180 250. Katahdins have hair and not wool, which means they are a low-maintenance breed that will shed their hair naturally. 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). In 2001, my friend with Polypay paid $2 to shear $.50 worth of wool per animal. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. This information may be used to compare breeds of hair sheep. Another goodproductfromhair sheep is leather. Dorper lambs tolerated the infection more so than Suffolk (wool) lambs when fecal egg counts were low. Hairbreeds have many positive traits that make them an ideal animal for small farms, homesteads, and of course, larger commercial farms. But what about the market lambs getting too fat? They do produce wool, and will need to be shorn annually. Im sorry I cannot help you. Lamb comes from a sheep under the age of 1 year old. marina@mgdorpers.com. Yes, you can milk Dorper sheep! Compared to other breeds, these sheep are relatively new, dating back to the 1950s. This site is owned and operated by Wild Wire Media, LLC. 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. Do you have to go around picking it up out of the pasture? They are hardy and do well in range. Jacksonville, FL 32254. These include: The fact Dorper sheep are easy to breed is a huge advantage. Sales of sheep meat and sheep breeding stock are on the rise in the United States and Canada. Environmental Adaptability:They are adaptable to all climates. Plans for the future include a larger lambing/working shed-currently under construction, later lambing to reduce cold weather losses (10percentdeath loss for everything combined, stillborn, drowning in water tank, mashed, runts, etc. Not only do they suffer fewer complications during birthing compared to some other breeds, but they also give birth to multiple lambs. daging domba sangat enak dan sangat kaya akan protein. This information is important to producers and extension agents with an interest in hair sheep. These include: Dorper sheep dont produce much milk or wool, which means raising them for meat is your only option. Weight Gain/Daily: 1 pound under intensive production. Breed ideal for pasture lambing and grass/forage based management systems. The outside temp is above 85* sheep are heaving and panting rapidly. Quite a few meat producers are finding better success with the hair breeds of meat sheep than with meat goats. (Grabbing a Romanov thats been walking through cockleburs is like wrestling with a 130-pound cocklebur.). The shedding process may take some getting used to but will not litter your pasture with wool Photographer: Ulf Kintzel.

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