Dorpers DO NOT shed their coats as well and consistently as katahdins. This breed produces rapid-growing lambs, with most lambs being considered ready for market at 12 weeks of age. Our flock is managed through pasture rotation from April until late December. This means that, theoretically, a Dorper ewe can produce a lamb (or 2 or 3) every 8 months. I could always pick out the dorper/katahdin crosses. I think that we are asking for bloat. It may not display this or other websites correctly. While it is estimated that hair sheep comprise only 10 percent of the world's sheep population, their numbers are growing, especially in temperate climates like the United States. The St Croix are also quiet, but seem to be next on the ladder. The trend is now reversed. 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. (Allardt) "Spike" is a 3 year old ram. How the breed carries fat is, I think, important when dealing with older sheep. You will find the occasional larger patch of wool in your pasture and you will definitely find wool and hair on the trees where the sheep rub. Although they are one of the newest sheep breeds introduced in America, Katahdin sheep have quickly become a popular choice. Several Polypay owners in the area worm all animals 6-8 times during the summer and still lose animals to stomach worms. Three ewes needed assistance lambing (one got it, the other two didnt and lost their lambs), one of which was 8 years old. Instead, I get raving reports back and I never seem to have enough market lambs to make everyone happy. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Stoneheart Farm was established in 1994 by John and Doreen Simmons. Why Choose St. Croix Hair Sheep? However, as the challenge escalated, parasite resistance was greatest in St. Croix lambs, followed by Katahdin and Dorper lambs. The Dorper is a good example of this interbreeding. 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. While I had no worries about my 1/2 market lambs since the Texel influence was still strong, my anticipation when the first 3/4 market lambs were harvested was great. Four Barbados Blackbelly sheep arrived in the United States in 1904. Why they are Crossed - YouTube 0:00 / 4:43 Dorper Sheep vs. Katahdin Sheep. 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! a From the review: Notter, g. 1978. Market Weight/Live/Age: 60 80 lbs / 9 month. i do not want to cull her from the flock! 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. Weight Gain/Daily: 0.57 lbs under intensive production. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. $300. For registered breeding stock, permanent wooly fibers are a no-no. For specific questions, please contact the author. Katahdin Sheep: Low-Maintenance Meat and Milk Producer - MorningChores They have woolier coats and are slower to shed (most of them). Katahdin Dorper cross ram lambs for Sale - Highnote Alabama We saw their ad and went to look at their Dorper rams. We both work off thefarm; therefore time is a commodity in short supply. 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. I have a pet ram lamb, texel dorset cross I was told. They are seasonal breeders, conceiving in the Fall and Winter. Other than a few lambs for Hispanic weddings, we sell our slaughter animals through the local auction barn. Royal White Sheep: Characteristics, Uses, Origin - ROYS FARM The Dorper is highly adaptable and does well in harsh conditions. Its important to have an animal thats pure or unaltered for sacrifice in observance of many holidays. You have to pay to have it sheared once a year. May-June lambs on pasture alone (10-13percentprotein and 60-65percent DOM) will average 45 pounds. Despite its origins in a cold northern climate, the Katahdin is remarkably well-suited to warm weather living. For example, cold wind and warm sun quickly result in herd finding shelter under conditions when woolen sheep remain in the open. We currently have about 100 ewes. There are without a doubt breeds that surpass White Dorper sheep in one or the other trait. 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.. 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. Dorpers Our goal is to develop a flock of productive, easy-care sheep that are scrapie resistant, require no shearing and that reach market specs on grass. 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. The carcass of the Cheviot tends to be plump and meaty, with just enough fat to produce a succulent meat. Our spring lambs on pasture alone (17-20 percent protein and 65-72percentdigestible organic matter-DOM) will average 55-60 pounds. Cheviots are easy to breed, meeting a 90% lambing average without assistance. Several myths still surround hair sheep. I would never go back to merinos & do not intend having cattle again, My dorper sheep have been lambing only male lambs..i do not know why there are no females being born9males so far..no females. Hair sheep breeds (Katahdin, St. Croix, Barbados) generally have much greater parasite resistance than wooled breeds, especially after one year of age. Arguments exist concerning the exact origin of the Barbados Blackbelly evidence is shown for both Africa or Barbados. I would say try the dorpers.. we only raise a few for there is only us out here. The breed was developed in the mid-1950s by crossing imported St. Croix Sheep and several other breeds, including the Suffolk Sheep. The Katahdin breed was developed in the United States by Michael Piel. All Rights Reserved | Website by Maple Creative, buildwithmaple.com. Some hair breed rams are long-bodied which can create a lengthy birthing scenario for the ewe. Hi just wondering it may be a silly question anyways can you milk Dorper sheep. We prefer using forage to produce lambs rather than wool. Dorper Sheep: Characteristics, Origin & Uses - ROYS FARM The Dorper sheep is a meat sheep breed. Market Weight/Live/Age: 70 90 lbs / 7 8 months. 3 year old Dorper Katahdin Ram - farm & garden - by owner - sale Hampshire sheep can live in almost any climate, making them a hardy breed. Bred to produce less back fat, their meat is lean and flavorful. Thirty percent of the ewes were first-time lambers, having an average of 1.2 lambs/ewe. WHY I DON'T RAISE ST. CROIX SHEEP | DORPER vs. ST. CROIX as Meat Breeds As they say, the proof is in the pudding eating. Average Birth Weight (Lbs): 7.5 lbs for single, 6.5 7 for twins, and less for triplets. 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. What is worse, however, is the fact that there are breeders who do not select for shedding ability and for the show ring instead. We just started raising Katahdins this year. The flavor of the market lambs is in my opinion mostly influenced by the fact that these lambs are grass-fed. His father Barley ( in picture behind him) is a full blooded Dorper. The breeder from whom I purchased the lambs said she is breeding in dorper with the katahdins to "beef" them up a little. They are easy care sheep that divert most of their energy into producing meat instead of wool. I am new to the sheep business so I am concerned that she will never be large enough to breed. As a result, about 50 percent of the first generation of White Dorper cross bred sheep shed partially or mostly. In conclusion, based on RT and RR, resilience to high HLI conditions ranked St. Croix > Katahdin > Dorper, with lowest . Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 170 200 (can be less than 170lb), Ram = 220 250. keep checking it out! Purebred Dorper rams can reach a live-weight of 90-120 kg and ewes 50-80kg. You can find out more about lambing Dorper sheep through the American Dorper Sheep Breeders Society. 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 sell a lot of culled ewes as roasts, ground meat, stew meat and various sausages. When the price of raw wool fleece is below the cost of shearing the animal, this is not cost effective. Bosnians want 60-pound animals while Muslims often prefer 60-80 pound animals. I'll be using my Barbados Blackbelly ram on my BB ewes and also a few Kathadin ewes. We have members from Mexico to Northern Canada and have exported to Ecuador, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, United Kingdom, Chile, and Central America. Katahdin Pedigrees Public Area Members List. Question is this common? Secrets of Raising Katahdin Sheep - Countryside If this same time is spent building homestead fencing, watersystems, improving lambing or handling facilities, its improving an operation. This is not a true hair sheep. The customers, including the many ethnic customers, caught up and appreciate the milder flavor of hairsheep. May 23, 2011 #3 Beekissed Herd Master Joined Aug 3, 2008 Messages 3,634 Reaction score 5,536 Points 453 Location mountains of WV In general they have low maintenance requirements. The bodybuilder of the sheep world, the Texel sheep is known for its heavily-muscled and sturdy frame. Environmental Adaptability: Withstand heat and cold well, and part of this adjustment to extremes is behavioral. University of South Dakota research found it requires 250-300 pounds of dry matter forage to produce each pound of wool. We feel that our time must be used where it will improve our operation, rather than maintaining status quo. Featured Listing. 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. 2022 Cornell Small Farms. 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. We normally worm our lambs 3-4 times a summer and the ewes not at all. (Icelandic sheep grow a double coat.) 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. 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. Youll find these sheep to have an easy-going temperament, and they tend to produce leaner meat with even fat distribution. Dorper sheep Revolutionizing the meat sheep industry Thanks, I am considering starting a small Dorper and or Katahdin herd to raise meat for the Western New York market. 1999. Grazing animals put on weight quickly in preparation for the long winters. We have just over 1200 breeding ewes & aim for around 2000 when things get better. Owning Goats vs. Sheep The purpose of the breed is to efficiently produce meat. "Dorper sheep are barrel-shaped with a well-muscled back end. 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. 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. 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. They dont need to be sheared, they have a docile temperament making them easy to handle, and they are resistant to disease. The other half needed shearing. Typically, the 75 percent Dorper crosses will exhibit the Dorper coloration and conformation. Origin: This breed originated from Maine, U.S. from crosses of woolen breeds mainly Suffolk and later Wiltshire Horn with hair sheep from the Virgin Islands. Dorper ram purchased from Juan Navarro of J.N. 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. LMAO!!!! Now you have a good idea of the pros and cons of both Dorper and Katahdin sheep, which one is right for your homestead? BREEDING DORPER SHEEP Resistance to Internal Parasites in Lambs of Hair Sheep Composite Breeds This is a very old article and I do not have the contact info for John. No wool to deal with makes perfect economic sense. Docking tails is unnecessary, although you still see some old timers that dock just because they always have. Im sure by now you have an answer. Tunis sheep are known to have an excellent flavor of meat. Romanov The Romanov breed may not be as popular as the Katahdin and Dorper, but it holds a very important value in this . ), more intense selection for increased body length and a ewe flock of around 160-175 ewes. No difference was noted between the purebred breeds of hair sheep. We figured the combination would be a meatier sheep." They bought the ram in 1996 and some ewes the following spring. http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/Accursed/Smileys/waiting-bored-waiting-boy-smiley-em.gif, Birthing, Weaning, and Raising Young Sheep. Dorpers grow a combination of hair and wool, and shed naturally meaning no shearing is required. The cross breeding results in the best of both breeds but also in the benefits of heterosis, commonly known as hybrid vigor. Hair sheep primer . 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. Please indicate pricing as well. Market Weight/Live/Age: 80 110 lbs / 5.5 6 months. Mating season for Suffolk sheep usually happens in the Autumn or Winter of each year, as it is for most sheep breeds. As we train border collies for sheep and cattle trials and we need a few different types of sheep. (I know, Im not a good farmer) 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 American Sheep Industry recognizes 47 different sheep breeds in the US, with hundreds more recognized internationally. Weight Gain/Daily: 0.4 lbs daily with good nutrition. Looking forward to reply. 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. 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. Glenn Land Farm Dexter Cattle & Dorper Sheep Royal Whites are more recent in the hair sheep scene and development is still ongoing. Lamb comes from a sheep under the age of 1 year old. 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. Dorper lambs have amazing growth rates when young. Texel sheep do best in colder climates, as they are exceptionally cold-hardy and have been known to be sensitive to the heat. As mentioned earlier, the Katahdin breed has served us well. Katahdins are awesome and productive mothers plus they are a very hardy breed and the Dorper will put more size on the meat sheep. It is a very hardy breed and is disease resistant. In addition to being a smaller breed, the lambs tend to mature slowly, not reaching ideal market weight until around 2 years of age. Its also common to see animals of up to a year old climbing to the top of a big bale of hay. A qualityregistered lamb will bring triple the fat lamb price. Photo courtesy of: Dr. Stephan A. Wildeus. There was only the body fleece that needed shearing. One needs to do a detail review of the information related to the hair breed one wishes to raise. Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. This market presented difficulties such as lambing in the dead of winter, having lambs large enough (especially when Passover comes early) and pooling with your neighbors to find enough lambs for a truckload. Most Muslims prefer intact ram lambs without tails being docked. We began our Katahdin Sheep herd with non-registered sheep but have added registered Katahdin ewes to our farm. Hair Sheep: No Wooling Around - Hobby Farms We are currently running 130 registered ewes with 10 commercial ewes that will be dispersed this year. Dorper sheep have a distinctive appearance: black heads and white bodies. Unlike meat goats, hair sheep are resistant to many of the parasites shed by cattle. Some European sheep genetics were incorporated into the African sheep to arrive at the existing hair breeds mentioned above. Lambs can also take a little longer to reach their market weight than some other breeds of sheep. Ulf Kintzel owns and manages White Clover Sheep Farm (www.whitecloversheepfarm.com) in Rushville, NY where he breeds grass-fed White Dorper sheep. Katahdin ewes weigh around 125-185 pounds, and rams average around 200 pounds. For a number of years, there has been a good export market for ewe lambs going to Mexico. 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. 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. Their main advantage is that they adapt well to hot humid climate where woolen breeds do not thrive well. i love the dorper sheep breed! If you have space to corral a few sheep, you can fill the freezer with a healthy alternative to beef and chicken. Later on I found out that this was the faster route to accomplish shedding in the offspring. He can be reached at 585-554-3313 or by e-mail at ulf@whitecloversheepfarm.com. While you can make a great profit selling meat, if you are looking for multiple income streams from your flock then the Dorper may not be the right breed for you. Will they settle into a seasonal pattern or will they breed continually? Mature Weight (Lb): Ewe = 100 130, Ram = 120 150. The first generation grows quite well due to the heterosis effect, but nearly always has a wool coat. 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. 4 1. 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. Wondering What to Feed Sheep? 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. Coat & Color: Coat can be any color or color pattern. Though not year-round breeders, Tunis often breed out of season, with the occasional lamb (or two) born in late Summer / Fall. Libyans prefer old worn out buck goats for their stronger flavor. Our experienced ewes averaged 2.1 lambs/ewe born with 1.9 weaned. ByBasil Bactawar, UF/IFAS Duval County Extension Service. 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 should be kept in mind that performance varies greatly with genetic . my ewe with CL has had her first batch of lambs last month and she is a really good mother! Good luck! Dorper Sheep. 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. Ewes will weigh an average of 190 pounds, with rams reaching up to 300 pounds. The breed is famous in the United States for its high performance and low maintenance. Just like to make a comment. This matters up here as our point of having hair sheep is to eliminate useless shearing. we really enjoy that black baby lamb and she is 9 months old now. 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. east TX farm & garden "dorper sheep" - craigslist While Hampshire sheep are seasonal breeders, they tend to have a longer breeding season than others. Jacksonville, FL 32254. The Confederacy precedes the establishment of Cornell University, New York state, and the United States of America. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. There is the wool type and the hairtype with the hairtype being slightly less meaty but far better shedding. Dorper Vs Katadhin Sheep: Which is better for your homestead? The second reason I chose Dorper over St. Croix is desirability. Crossing these breeds with woolen breeds for efficient meat production does hold some potential. Many of the Dorper you see have been crossed with Katahdin sheep for several reasons. The Blackhead Persian is a fat-rumped hair breed from the arid lands of the Middle East. Dorper and Katahdin are medium size breeds. Katahdin sheep and Dorper are bred as meat sheep breeds. He is 8 months old. Im very new here currently living in Virginia. We acknowledge the painful history of Gayogoh:n dispossession, and honor the ongoing connection of Gayogoh:n people, past and present, to these lands and waters. Signatures of selection for resistance to - BMC Genomics Hair coat becomes thick and long as cold weather sets in and the length decreases. Best Sheep Breeds For the Extreme Heat and Cold - J&R Pierce Family Tunis sheep are able to thrive in a variety of climates, and tolerate both heat and cold well. In fact, when we have pot roast from a culled ewe I can still fool my wife into thinking we had lamb for dinner. Some breeders have been working on crosses between traditional wool meat breeds and hair sheep breeds. What sheep breeds are best for meat? Since Missouri has more Katahdin sheep than any other state, the majority of export animals come from here. Royal White Sheep Breed - Learn Natural Farming PDF Productive Performance of F Dorper vs. Katahdin Ewes Under Semi One of the oldest breeds of sheep, the Tunis is still a favorite breed for meat production. I dont want him to get unhealthily fat. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. To learn more about baby sheep, check out my article Baby Sheep: What a Baby Sheep is Called & Other Fun Facts. When youre raising sheep for meat, the wool is a by-product. Hair sheep breeds simply shed their hair covering and fleecy undercoat when the weather warms. To learn more about how you can make money off of sheep, read my article What Do Sheep Produce? Check out my article Best Sheep for Wool: Top 8 Sheep Breeds for Wool. I like the Dorper temperament, generally they are a pretty docile breed. Baby Sheep: What a Baby Sheep is Called & Other Fun Facts. So, what about littering the pasture with wool? We let them be sheep and just help them along. Katahdin Sheep work very well in a variety of production situations as a low-maintenance, easy care sheep. Though the breed produces wool (and lanolin), it is known to have a particularly mild taste. How to Use Goats and Sheep to Clear Brush - Modern Farmer For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Katahdin Hair Sheep | Successful Farming Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. 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. My question is, how much should he weigh. 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 Dorper-sired. Katahdin would adapt best under humid, warm conditions, while Dorper would be best suited for dry arid and semiarid rangeland conditions. You can check my blog at Merino sheep for sale. A caution when breeding is to choose the right size ram for the ewe. At Kettle Haven Ranch we specialize in Katahdin x Dorper crosses for exceptional market lambs and for replacement breeding stock. Katahdins have hair and not wool, which means they are a low-maintenance breed that will shed their hair naturally. Breed is mainly free of wool and do not normally require shearing. Next Page: Flock ID Last Name First Name Farm Name Address City State . or you can contact me at- Lamb chops from Barbados Blackbelly x St. Croix lambs were similar to those from Dorset-sired, Dorper-sired, or Katahdin.