Compared to other breeds, these sheep are relatively new, dating back to the 1950s. Romanov The Romanov breed may not be as popular as the Katahdin and Dorper, but it holds a very important value in this . Special Notes The Dorper sheep are very hardy animals. If you are interested in bringing a herd of small livestock to your homestead, you will want to look into both sheep and goats. His website address is www.whitecloversheepfarm.com. A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. In South Africa, the Dorper is likewise most commonly found in arid and semi . Hello! To showcase the commercial qualities of our animals, all breeding stock we sell comes directly from pasture, having received no special treatment. Lambing %: Lambing rates vary from 150% to 250% with 3 lambing every 2 years not uncommon. Crossing with the Dorper led tothis larger hair breed. Originally, the established buyers at auctions resisted hairsheep in general and they fetched lower prices in places like New Holland. Though the breed produces wool (and lanolin), it is known to have a particularly mild taste. Feed conversion is good since these sheep fatten easily on less than ideal pasture and forage. so so far we are separating her and letting the pus drain However, in older hairsheep the flavor is still impressive due to the genetic factor. If you plan on going into the meat production business, its important to know the difference between types of sheep meat. Bred to produce less back fat, their meat is lean and flavorful. Katahdins are medium size, hardy, low-maintenance, and have a high-quality carcass weight. Consider the pros and cons featured above before making your decision. Very tolerant of the humid hot conditions in the Carribean andSomolia, Blackhead Persians have a white body and black head. This breed is adaptable and can live in many different climates. The ewes produce vigorous, healthy, robust lambs that have a high survivability. 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. I have some St Croix and they are quite large. Dorper's are by far the closest hair sheep to the wool breed. 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. I direct sell a great number of lambs. 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 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. Dorset sheep thrive in a wide variety of climates, and being wool-producers, they will need to be sheared annually. The major disadvantage is that they grow slower and produce a lighter weight carcass than most breeds of European origin. It is more flighty than Dorper, Kathadin and St. Croix breeds. Wondering whether to add Dorper or Katahdin sheep to your homestead? Market Weight/Live/Age: 80 110 lbs / 5.5 6 months. Thank you for stopping by, and best of luck with your farm! A ewes wool will pay her winter feed bill. Although they are one of the newest sheep breeds introduced in America, Katahdin sheep have quickly become a popular choice. Our spring lambs on pasture alone (17-20 percent protein and 65-72percentdigestible organic matter-DOM) will average 55-60 pounds. How do you collect wool from self-shearing sheep? 1. 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. Three ewes needed assistance lambing (one got it, the other two didnt and lost their lambs), one of which was 8 years old. Suffolk meat is hailed as lean and somewhat sweet, with a good muscle to fat ratio. This has nothing to do with genetics and everything to do with the latitude in which the animal lives: Things being equal, our weights will be lower than the weights of similar Katahdins raised in Canada, but higher than ones raised in Florida. 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 . The St Croix are also quiet, but seem to be next on the ladder. Lambing %: Approximately 125%, exceeding 200% with subsequent lambing. Origin: This breed was developed or evolved on the Eastern Caribbean Island of Barbados. . Despite being a hairsheep, White Dorpers do not lack winter hardiness Photographer: Ulf Kintzel. It should be kept in mind that performance varies greatly with genetic, management, climate, etc. 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. Originally publishedin sheep! 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. The lambing rate is not as high as other hair breeds. If this same time is spent building homestead fencing, watersystems, improving lambing or handling facilities, its improving an operation. His father Barley ( in picture behind him) is a full blooded Dorper. There are a few characteristics you will want to look for when choosing a meat-producing sheep. 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. Because of the wool, the Icelandic sheep do need to be sheared once to twice per year. I think that we are asking for bloat. When the price of raw wool fleece is below the cost of shearing the animal, this is not cost effective. Check out my article Best Sheep for Wool: Top 8 Sheep Breeds for Wool. Arguments exist concerning the exact origin of the Barbados Blackbelly evidence is shown for both Africa or Barbados. Royal Whites are more recent in the hair sheep scene and development is still ongoing. Two varieties of Dorper Sheep were created: the black headed Dorper and an all white variety, the White Dorper sheep. If you combine all traits I have not found a better breed for a farming system based on pasture and direct marketing. link to Are Llamas Dangerous? 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. Twinning is common and triplets and quadruplets are not rare. The desire to climb mandates the use of a bale ring to prevent excessive waste. The katahdin//dorper crosses are noticeably bigger than the pure katahdins. Hair sheep breeds simply shed their hair covering and fleecy undercoat when the weather warms. There is the wool type and the hairtype with the hairtype being slightly less meaty but far better shedding. They grow quickly and reach market weight early. Its also common to see animals of up to a year old climbing to the top of a big bale of hay. 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. i love the dorper sheep breed! including sheepamong them an extra-special Dorper-Katahdin lamb named Mopple. Katahdin Dorper The Dorper is a mutton breed of hair sheep developed in the 1930s. Dorpers are well-known to mature early as well, with most lambs considered market-ready in as little as 4 months old. My customers are also distributors of various sizes who sell mainly at restaurants and their private customers. Can you advise on the availability of a good ram and 10-12 ewe lambs this Spring. 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 . 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. These include: Dorper sheep dont produce much milk or wool, which means raising them for meat is your only option. Manage Settings Due to the high amount of red muscle fibers, the Icelandic sheep has a uniquely tender and fine texture. Westexas. In addition to being a smaller breed, the lambs tend to mature slowly, not reaching ideal market weight until around 2 years of age. 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 . Katahdin can be used for both meat and milk, whereas Dorper sheep are only good for meat production. Theyre too small to be of commercial value. Well, at least Katahdins, St Croix and barbs. (Allardt) "Spike" is a 3 year old ram. Dorper lambs have amazing growth rates when young. I belong to a herding club in Hawaii. 109:265-275. Vigorous growers, the Icelandic produce lambs that are market-ready at 70-100 pounds in as little as 4-5 months. Dorset ewes weigh approximately 150-200 pounds, with the rams weighing on average 275 pounds. They do produce wool, and need to be shorn on a regular basis. 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. Dorpers DO NOT shed their coats as well and consistently as katahdins. We both work off thefarm; therefore time is a commodity in short supply. (Weve heard them all.). I sell a lot of culled ewes as roasts, ground meat, stew meat and various sausages. Originating in South Africa, these lovable and attractive sheep tend to come with a lot more pros than cons. This spring we had an overall lambing average of 1.9 lambs/ewe born with 1.7 lambs weaned. Dorper ram purchased from Juan Navarro of J.N. Fact: While its true that Barbados and St. Croix are small animals (ewes 80-110 pounds), few commercial breeders raise them. My Texel and Dorset lambs that I used to have in the past didnt differ that much in flavor, although the WD lambs are indeed milder tasting. A caution when breeding is to choose the right size ram for the ewe. The bodybuilder of the sheep world, the Texel sheep is known for its heavily-muscled and sturdy frame. 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. 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 . They also are not limited to a breeding season, conceiving year round. 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. 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. 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. Id recommend getting in touch with the author of this article- he might have some good insight for you. 2 are Katahdin and 2 are katahdin/dorper crosses. 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. Dorsets commonly produce twins and even triplets. Im sorry I cannot help you. In our city the sheep are raised very much because the grass is still fertile, Kita wajib menjaga kesuburan tanaman agar domba bisa makan dengan cukup dan bisa berkembang biak dengan baik oleh peternak, In addition to the delicious meat, lamb can also be made of skin for a high-value jacket material, Dorper Sheep: Truths and Myths Tempat jasa sablon kaos murah Kaos sablon Bandung Pusat tempat Pembuatan Kaos sablon Baju Distro di Bandung Konveksi Buat Kaos Kelas Reuni Polo Bandung kawasan Jakarta pusat Berkualitas cetak Screen Printing sablon Digital Custom manual Rubber Plastisol komunitas Reuni Jaket satuan grosiran Kemeja ~ Alamat Tempat Sablon Kaos. They are well adapted to a variety of climatic and grazing conditions. Jacksonville, FL 32254. Tunis are solid breeders and excellent mothers. 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. The only things to consider include: The fact Katahdin sheep dont produce wool isnt necessarily a disadvantage. This ancient breed has thrived in warm climates, continued to produce twins and good carcass weights. 1999. I love lambs Does lambs has less cholesterol than goat? Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. Ron remembers raising wool sheep as a teenager. Four years ago we began converting all our cropland into pasture and expanded the flock. Unsave Save. 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. Choosing breeding stock with this in mind can avoid this problem. FLAVOR Selling Price: $325.00 / Head. Market Weight/Live/Age: 60 80 lbs / 9 month. The reproductive rate of true hair sheep is excellent. I have a question. There are a lot of advantages to keeping Dorper sheep in the US. We have a dispute between the members about feeding sheep after working them. If my product would be poorly finished or wouldnt taste good, I surely would lose customers. The main differences between these two breeds are the colors available, and what they can be used for. They dont need to be sheared, they have a docile temperament making them easy to handle, and they are resistant to disease. Lambing %: Average lambing rate is between 150 and 250%. Feeding small quantities throughout numerous feedings helps reduce the incidence of bloat and/or diarrhea. Twice a year my friend with Polypays shows up at work doubled over as he shuffles around in pain. 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. We currently have about 100 ewes. Thanks, Noela. This means that, theoretically, a Dorper ewe can produce a lamb (or 2 or 3) every 8 months. 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. Katatdin x Dorper . While both breeds are exceptionally popular in the US, there are some differences between the two. Despite its origins in a cold northern climate, the Katahdin is remarkably well-suited to warm weather living. Later on I found out that this was the faster route to accomplish shedding in the offspring. its ok to wean the lamb as soon as possible. At 90 days, weve had November-December lambs on pasture, hay and whole grain (corn or milo) average 75 pounds. Fencing. Because of their hair, they do not produce the lanolin that can lend gaminess to the meat, giving it a milder flavor. I saw that the author is from Central Missouri, which is where we live. Get Shipping Quotes Opens in a new tab. After 13 years of medical education and military service they landed in Maine to put down roots. They were significantly more reasonably priced and for practical matters were the same. As they say, the proof is in the pudding eating. 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 Muslims prefer intact ram lambs without tails being docked. We figured the combination would be a meatier sheep." They bought the ram in 1996 and some ewes the following spring. Many Greeks eat lamb for Easter, which is not always the same date as the traditional Easter. A type of hair breed, Katahdin sheep originate in the United States. They also have a fat rump, short legs, and a compact body. Why Katahdin x Dorper Crosses At Stoneheart Farms we specialize in Katahdin x Dorper crosses for exceptional market lambs and for replacement breeding stock. Hair sheep breeds (Katahdin, St. Croix, Barbados) generally have much greater parasite resistance than wooled breeds, especially after one year of age. $300. As we train border collies for sheep and cattle trials and we need a few different types of sheep. Weight Gain/Daily: 0.57 lbs under intensive production. Thirdly how long after separation to market. "Dorper sheep are barrel-shaped with a well-muscled back end. Docking tails is unnecessary, although you still see some old timers that dock just because they always have. Breed is mainly free of wool and do not normally require shearing. They are excellent mothers. Mexicans prefer a larger lamb, and let nothing go to waste. They also tend to be highly mobile, which means they will climb on top of anything. American Blackbelly The ability of this breed to put grass into weight gain is remarkable. . We let them be sheep and just help them along. Crossing these breeds with woolen breeds for efficient meat production does hold some potential. i do not want to cull her from the flock! Our experienced ewes averaged 2.1 lambs/ewe born with 1.9 weaned. High latitudes (up north) have a short growing season with long daylight periods and fast grass growth that is high in protein and low in fiber. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare productive performance of F 1 Dp vs . However, if thats what you are looking for then this breed might not be for you. These slaughter lambs sell comparable to pure Katahdin sheep per pound unless theyre full of cockleburs and briars. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. We had the idea of crossing a Dorper with their 60 Katahdin ewes. To appeal to ethnic buyers, it often requires a change in flock management. 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. This site is owned and operated by Wild Wire Media, LLC. Kt ewes under low-input semiarid conditions of northern Mxico. If you plan on raising lambs for meat, youll need to know everything that comes with taking care of baby sheep. Also, much of the flavor ( good or bad) comes from the fat. Blackbellys have hair and not wool, making them a low-maintenance breed. Hi just wondering it may be a silly question anyways can you milk Dorper sheep. If breeding your own sheep for sustainable meat production, you will also want to know the breeding habits of each breed, and whether the sheep produces wool or grows hair this is helpful to know when it comes to maintenance. While weve missed out on export sales the last several years because of retaining ewes to increase flock numbers, Mexican buyers will be coming by this spring. I have no way of weighing him. 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. I'd go with Dorper ram on Katahdin ewes. Why Katahdin x Dorper Crosses. (A friend with Polypay and Katahdin sheep has had the same experience. The Dorper has a high rate of lambing and is tolerant of the arid conditions it was developed for in South Africa. Some are calling these shedding sheep. Ewes weight approximately 200 pounds, and rams average out to around 260 pounds. 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. 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. for info and videos along with books and much more! Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. They reach sexual maturity very early, with ewes able to breed between 7 to 9 months of age. BREEDING DORPER SHEEP Bred Ewes Commercial - Market Sheep. Today I have 1/2, 3/4, 7/8th, and 15/16th White Dorper sheep. Lambs can also take a little longer to reach their market weight than some other breeds of sheep. How do you decide which breed is right for your needs? We are interested purchasing Katahdin sheep and found this article very helpful. Ive spent my entire life around farm animals, and I created Savvy Farm Life to share the helpful information Ive learned over the years. With an annual rainfall of approximately 175mm (7 inches), the grazing is mainly scrubland with a stocking rate of 1 LSU per 32 hectare. 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 can only put this down to past genetics. 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. Katahdins tend to birth twins, with triplets and quadruplets occurring often with good flock management. The Dorper sheep is a meat sheep breed. The coat is a mixture of hair and wool and will shed from animal in late spring/early summer. I shear myself and since I wanted to increase the size of my flock I was not looking forward to shearing even more sheep. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Now you have a good idea of the pros and cons of both Dorper and Katahdin sheep, which one is right for your homestead? They can provide you with information pertaining to regulations, health requirements and local export brokers. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Beginning in the mid-1950s, Piel imported three St.Croix sheep. My wife and I feel theres no best breed, but rather which breed best fits your operation. These are some of the best reasons to raise Katahdin sheep - though the list is by no means exhaustive! They are also well suited to survive in the arid extensive regions of South Africa. 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. After being in the business of raising wool sheep of various kinds for two decades, I decided in 2005 to start with hair sheep. They do produce wool, and will need regular shearing. 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. The Kasteel White Dorper Stud farm lies in an arid area of the Republic of South Africa, called the Great Karoo. Your email address will not be published. Cheviots produce alert, strong lambs who are efficient foragers. At that weight the fat cover did indeed get too much. Ewes will weigh an average of 190 pounds, with rams reaching up to 300 pounds. This information may be used to compare breeds of hair sheep. In Canada, Katahdin sheep commonly gain well over a pound per day. Katahdin meat tends to be leaner than many other breeds. 2022 Cornell Small Farms. He seems pretty big to me, but since he is my first sheep, I dont know what he should weigh. I would love to get in touch with the author personally. Thirty percent of the ewes were first-time lambers, having an average of 1.2 lambs/ewe. November/December 2003 and regularly vetted for accuracy. 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. Environmental Adaptability:They are adaptable to all climates. So, what about littering the pasture with wool? The flavor of the market lambs is in my opinion mostly influenced by the fact that these lambs are grass-fed. Because of their hair and their low fat content, this breed is known to produce both flavorful and mild meat. They do produce wool, and will need to be shorn annually. My Dorper ram is not really large but he is bigger than her. Disposition & Mothering Ability: This breed is a bit flighty. The breed has a thick, well muscled carcass and extended period of fertility. The breed was developed in the mid-1950s by crossing imported St. Croix Sheep and several other breeds, including the Suffolk Sheep. Hi currently running flock of 600. My friend used to manage a flock of purebreds of both breeds and crosses. Several Polypay owners in the area worm all animals 6-8 times during the summer and still lose animals to stomach worms. Reaching maturity earlier than many breeds, the Suffolk lamb will reach an average of 116 pounds by 100 days of age. 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. While Im sure Ill rile a lot of Dorper breeders, Ive seen too many that had been sheared before a sale, which defeats the purpose of a hair animal. They were called Africans at the time. In 2001, my friend with Polypay paid $2 to shear $.50 worth of wool per animal. Updated: Monday, February 06, 2023 02:46 PM. Suffolk grow wool continuously, and will need to be sheared annually. Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 170 200 (can be less than 170lb), Ram = 220 250. There are black headed Dorpers (most common) and white Dorpers (harder to find). In winter puts on coat that is shed as temperatures increase. Variance in RT in periods 3 and 4 ranked St. Croix < Dorper < Katahdin. 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 Barbados Blackbelly got its name because of the characteristic black belly on an otherwise red brown coat. We also sell breeding stock locally. Although the breed was created in the 1930s, it is still fairly new to the US. To learn more about how you can make money off of sheep, read my article What Do Sheep Produce? Icelandic Sheep are another popular choice for meat, with ewes weighing an average of 150 pounds at maturity, and rams averaging 200 pounds. This is inconvenient since you must pasture ram lambs separately from ewes to prevent unplanned pregnancies. The breeder from whom I purchased the lambs said she is breeding in dorper with the katahdins to "beef" them up a little. A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. Are you interested in raising sheep for meat? Your email address will not be published. Interested in raising sheep for wool? Dorper lambs have amazing growth rates when young. Dorper Sheep. Some Ewes shed coats after second lambing. Hairbreeds have many positive traits that make them an ideal animal for small farms, homesteads, and of course, larger commercial farms. Ulf Kintzel owns and manages White Clover Sheep Farm (www.whitecloversheepfarm.com) in Rushville, NY where he breeds grass-fed White Dorper sheep. Question is this common? 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 just started raising Katahdins this year. Dorper-sired. It is raised mainly for meat production. 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. Lambs are efficient producers of meat. (I know, Im not a good farmer) Grazing animals put on weight quickly in preparation for the long winters. Mating season for Suffolk sheep usually happens in the Autumn or Winter of each year, as it is for most sheep breeds.