Katahdin is the breed of sheep that was developed Maine, USA. The breeding happened during the 2nd half of the twentieth century. The breeding was done by Michael Piel after he had read an article of 1956 in the National Geographic. He bred several other breeds with St. Croix sheep that he imported. The breeding was based mostly on animals with elegant hair coat, meat-type conformation, flocking instinct, and fertility.
Michael employed the best strains of animals in the breeding exercise to ensure that the resultant lambs possessed the best qualities he wanted. Low wool price and high shearing prices have caused the popularity of these animals in the US to rise a lot. The breed continues to spread from the native land and whenever in search of the best Katahdin sheep Kentucky is among the placed to visit.
The name Katahdin was given to these animals by Piel himself. He chose the name after Mount Katahdin, which is in Maine. After Piel died, these breed of sheep underwent some small changes. It was crossed with other horned breeds even though those changes were dropped in favor of the hornless strains. Various countries have organizations for managing the standards in these sheep and Kentucky has one of its own.
The key characteristic in these animals is that unlike other breeds which have their bodies covered in wool, they have hair instead. Some wooly hair may however still be observed. They shed their hair every spring making it unnecessary to shear them. This is an important trait that most farmers look for in animals. Their tails do not need to be docked too.
Ewes have elegant parental instincts and protect their lambs always. They lamb triplets sometimes and often need no assistance during the lambing process. Research shows that single or twin lambs are favorable for first time lambing. The quantity of milk produces is adequate for their lambs. These breed flocks moderately well because of their gentle nature, although rams may be a little pushy at times.
The general color is white with a brown area along the neck on the upper side. Sometimes they have brown and black hair, and occasionally they are spotted. Hair offers protection against parasitic attack, rendering them highly resistant to parasitic ailments. The ewes weight between 120 and 160 pounds in weight whereas males are about 180-240 pounds. This weight places them in the medium size sheep class.
This breed is raised mainly for meat. Meat is of high quality, lean in nature and with a mild flavor. Another purpose for raising them is their efficient grazing habit. Their good grazing habit allows them to be used to control weeds and herbs in compounds. They can consume most herbs that other breeds do not consume. The level of maintenance they need is much less when compared to other species.
These species attains its highest productivity between the age of 3 and 6 years and the productivity starts deteriorating beyond seven years. The life expectancy stands between 10 and 12 years. Best practices require that animals be grouped according to age set. Older ones should be separated from young ones to give them room.
Michael employed the best strains of animals in the breeding exercise to ensure that the resultant lambs possessed the best qualities he wanted. Low wool price and high shearing prices have caused the popularity of these animals in the US to rise a lot. The breed continues to spread from the native land and whenever in search of the best Katahdin sheep Kentucky is among the placed to visit.
The name Katahdin was given to these animals by Piel himself. He chose the name after Mount Katahdin, which is in Maine. After Piel died, these breed of sheep underwent some small changes. It was crossed with other horned breeds even though those changes were dropped in favor of the hornless strains. Various countries have organizations for managing the standards in these sheep and Kentucky has one of its own.
The key characteristic in these animals is that unlike other breeds which have their bodies covered in wool, they have hair instead. Some wooly hair may however still be observed. They shed their hair every spring making it unnecessary to shear them. This is an important trait that most farmers look for in animals. Their tails do not need to be docked too.
Ewes have elegant parental instincts and protect their lambs always. They lamb triplets sometimes and often need no assistance during the lambing process. Research shows that single or twin lambs are favorable for first time lambing. The quantity of milk produces is adequate for their lambs. These breed flocks moderately well because of their gentle nature, although rams may be a little pushy at times.
The general color is white with a brown area along the neck on the upper side. Sometimes they have brown and black hair, and occasionally they are spotted. Hair offers protection against parasitic attack, rendering them highly resistant to parasitic ailments. The ewes weight between 120 and 160 pounds in weight whereas males are about 180-240 pounds. This weight places them in the medium size sheep class.
This breed is raised mainly for meat. Meat is of high quality, lean in nature and with a mild flavor. Another purpose for raising them is their efficient grazing habit. Their good grazing habit allows them to be used to control weeds and herbs in compounds. They can consume most herbs that other breeds do not consume. The level of maintenance they need is much less when compared to other species.
These species attains its highest productivity between the age of 3 and 6 years and the productivity starts deteriorating beyond seven years. The life expectancy stands between 10 and 12 years. Best practices require that animals be grouped according to age set. Older ones should be separated from young ones to give them room.
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