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. The Dorper is the fastest growing, heaviest-muscled hair sheep breed in the U.S. Dorpers do not shed as well as other hair sheep, but their carcasses are superior to any other breed of hair sheep. In a second study, Dorper or Dorset sired lambs were compared to Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix or Katahdin lambs. I like the Dorper temperament, generally they are a pretty docile breed. May-June lambs on pasture alone (10-13percentprotein and 60-65percent DOM) will average 45 pounds. We normally worm our lambs 3-4 times a summer and the ewes not at all. Some Ewes shed coats after second lambing. J. Anim Sci 77:215-222. 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. November/December 2003 and regularly vetted for accuracy.
Carcass Composition of Hair Sheep Breeds and Crosses - Virginia Tech I cant speak to colder temperatures, taking zero degrees without a problem is good enough for me. Our flock is content to sleep outside in the coldest weather and will have unmelted snow on their backs like a wool animal. They were significantly more reasonably priced and for practical matters were the same. Have been buying in feed since the start of 2018. 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. 2 are Katahdin and 2 are katahdin/dorper crosses. Coat & Color: Coat can be any color or color pattern. I no longer sell at livestock auctions mainly because I dont have to. Though size and time to mature are not the Blackbellys strongest points, there are many advantages to raising this hardy breed of sheep.
He is a native of Germany and lives in the US since 1995. Katahdins have hair and not wool, which means they are a low-maintenance breed that will shed their hair naturally. Breeding stock is selected under rigorous criteria, including parasite resistance, hair coat, growth characteristics on grass alone and general thriftiness. Icelandic Sheep are another popular choice for meat, with ewes weighing an average of 150 pounds at maturity, and rams averaging 200 pounds. How often do dorpers have breeding problems and we will then have to pull the lambs? Hi just wondering it may be a silly question anyways can you milk Dorper sheep. The Dorper Sheep is a hardy resilient South African breed of sheep that can withstand various harsh climates, environments and intensive operations. The breed is famous in the United States for its high performance and low maintenance. Hello! Featured Listing. 2022 Cornell Small Farms. Katahdins are medium size, hardy, low-maintenance, and have a high-quality carcass weight. They grow quickly and reach market weight early. Coat & Color: Most of the individuals are white, but tan and spotted ones exist. You can check my blog at Merino sheep for sale. Q. (A friend with Polypay and Katahdin sheep has had the same experience. These include: Dorper sheep dont produce much milk or wool, which means raising them for meat is your only option. 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. I have no way of weighing him. It should be kept in mind that performance varies greatly with genetic . The breed was developed in the mid-1950s by crossing imported St. Croix Sheep and several other breeds, including the Suffolk Sheep. As mentioned earlier, theres no price discount for Katahdin sheep or Dorper sheep in central Missouri. Black color covers belly, inside legs and thighs and extends up to the neck. Selling Price: $325.00 / Head. Some of the main pros of keeping Katahdin sheep include: Katahdin sheep are one of the easiest breeds of sheep to care for. The purpose of the breed is to efficiently produce meat. But the pasture littered with wool as I had feared just did not happen. Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. The Katahdin hair sheep is the fastest growing breed in the United States. How about Field Corn! Although the breed was created in the 1930s, it is still fairly new to the US. Can someone tell me a few of the pros and cons for both dorper sand katahdin. Any sheep can technically produce meat, but if youre looking to raise sheep for commercial meat production, youll want to make sure you get a good return on investment. Not only do they suffer fewer complications during birthing compared to some other breeds, but they also give birth to multiple lambs. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 170 200 (can be less than 170lb), Ram = 220 250. Libyans prefer old worn out buck goats for their stronger flavor. Katahdins are awesome and productive mothers plus they are a very hardy breed and the Dorper will put more size on the meat sheep. 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. Consider the pros and cons featured above before making your decision. $300. In addition to being a smaller breed, the lambs tend to mature slowly, not reaching ideal market weight until around 2 years of age. Sales at the 2022 mid America Dorper Show nearly broke $1 MILLION with the top Dorper ewe bringing $20,000 and ram $12,800. Dorpersare known for their fast weight gains as lambs. They are seasonal breeders, conceiving in the Fall and Winter. So, what about littering the pasture with wool? (Allardt) "Spike" is a 3 year old ram. Animals dont grow as fastbut dont need to with milder winters and longer growing season. Breed utilization for meat production in sheep. Environmental Adaptability: Tolerant of both high and low temperatures. Other than a few lambs for Hispanic weddings, we sell our slaughter animals through the local auction barn. It is more flighty than Dorper, Kathadin and St. Croix breeds. 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. We also sell breeding stock locally. Originating in South Africa, these lovable and attractive sheep tend to come with a lot more pros than cons. Next Page: Flock ID Last Name First Name Farm Name Address City State . Cole, N.A. You must log in or register to reply here. My customers are also distributors of various sizes who sell mainly at restaurants and their private customers. ), In fall 2000, we grazed our flock on cocklebur and waterhemp that followed an oat crop. Katahdins tend to birth twins, with triplets and quadruplets occurring often with good flock management. Cornell University is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogoh:n (the Cayuga Nation). They are the generally more fertile in hot humid regions and show greater tolerance to parasites than woolen breeds. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. "Dorper sheep are barrel-shaped with a well-muscled back end.
Differences in the taste of sheep breeds - BC Boards However, they have been cross-bred with other breeds over the years to develop the modern breed we see today. Breed is mainly free of wool and do not normally require shearing. We are currently running 130 registered ewes with 10 commercial ewes that will be dispersed this year. Unsave Save. They do produce wool, and will need regular shearing. The cross breeding results in the best of both breeds but also in the benefits of heterosis, commonly known as hybrid vigor. In terms of temperament, cost, and maintenance, they are both excellent options. Why they are Crossed - YouTube 0:00 / 4:43 Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. 1.
Why Katahdin Sheep - stoneheartfarm The majority of ewe lambs are sold as registered breeding stock; the majority of ram lambs are sold for slaughter. I am trying to locate a couple of nice ewe lambs now. This breed is adaptable and can live in many different climates. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 70 -120, Ram = 110 140. The leather from hair sheep grain is finer than the leather from wool breeds and brings in a larger amount of money.
Best Meat Cross-Breed with Katahdin Ram - Permies I really like all three breeds. Are Llamas Dangerous? I am new to the sheep business so I am concerned that she will never be large enough to breed. Lambing %: Given an average lambing percent of 150 and 3 lambing in 2 years, Dorper will produce 2.25 lambs on an annual basis. Difference in color is a matter of preference. Have good flocking instinct. Twinning is common and triplets and quadruplets are not rare. They are excellent foragers. Hairbreeds have many positive traits that make them an ideal animal for small farms, homesteads, and of course, larger commercial farms. 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). They are hardy and do well in range. Docking tails is unnecessary, although you still see some old timers that dock just because they always have.
Everything You Need to Know About Hair Sheep - Cross S Ranch Market Weight/Live/Age: 70 90 lbs / 7 8 months. 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. Ultimate Guide. The hair sheep breeds lamb easily in the pasture and the lambs gain weight rapidly and develop to maturity quickly. If ewes are fed well, lambing rate approaches the higher end. . study was done that showed the parasite resistance. Plainview, Tx. Photo courtesy of: Dr. Stephan A. Wildeus.
Glenn Land Farm Dexter Cattle & Dorper Sheep Dorpers tend to be a little larger, and Katahdins are excellent mothers, so a Dorper /Kathadin cross is nearly perfect. How do you decide which breed is right for your needs? 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. Keep reading to learn more about the best sheep breeds for meat. 46:131-143.. Making a Good Ewe Flock. The cross breeding results in the best of both breeds but also in the benefits of heterosis, commonly known as hybrid vigor. Yes, you can milk Dorper sheep!
FAQs - American Dorper Sheep Breeders' Society They are prolific breeders as well, often producing twins. There are three main reasons to raise hair sheep.
Signatures of selection in sheep and goats infected with Haemonchus Weight Gain/Daily: 0.57 lbs under intensive production. Breeding Season: They breed throughout the year. The breed was created by crossing Dorset and Blackheaded Persian sheep. These slaughter lambs sell comparable to pure Katahdin sheep per pound unless theyre full of cockleburs and briars.
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