To create an animal that would do well in most any area Michael Piel imported three breeds of African hair sheep and in 1957 set about breeding his idea of perfect livestock. When he crossbred them with various other varieties he came up with what many consider to be the ideal ovine specimen. These animals are now the product of Katahdin sheep breeders.
These animals are a good investment for those who are looking for commercial marketing opportunities. They produce lean, mild sweet tasting meat that is more popular with the public. As an investment they are very low maintenance and are pasture feeders with minimal supplemental feeding. The ewes have an early puberty and live long and productive lives.
The rams are aggressive breeders and can produce off spring all year long. It is not unusual for the ewes to have twins or triplets and many have quadruplets. The size of a herd can triple in one year under normal circumstances. The lambs are fully weaned at six weeks and are alert and walking shortly after birth.
The lack of need to shear yearly and dock the tails at birth creates a very desirable situation to those who want to raise Katahdins. Wool fabric is not as popular as it once was and shearing costs for them is very high. While they grow a thick coat to keep them warm in the winter months shed it in the early spring months.
This breed of hair sheep is exceptionally easy to care for, docile and efficient. When properly tended they require very little attention are hardy enough to adapt well to heat and humidity. Their flocking instincts allow them to be easily controlled by man or dog.
When considering whether shelter is needed you may look to simple solutions. A shed or carport should be acceptable. Bedding can be of any dry material that is available in your area. Most can live their entire lives in the field. If you need to protect them from predation by wild animals and choose an enclosed shelter the ventilation system needs to be good enough that they are not exposed to moisture and poor air. These conditions can compromise their health.
If you keep the habitat area clean and sanitary and watch the nutrition of the animals you should have minimal health issues to deal with. All health issues need to have veterinarian care. Skin rashes and ring worm are fairly common and easily dealt with. There are also more serious ailments such as scrapie and sore mouth that require immediate attention. Scrapie is similar to hoof in mouth in cattle.
Whether you are looking for a means to improve the quality of your flock or want to sell the lambs for commercial use, being one of the Katahdin sheep breeders appears to be a viable option. You will be able to meet your goals for profit in many ways. They are also in demand for herding dog trainers or land owners who wish to keep foliage in check. Their non-woolly coat makes them perfect for ranchers who live in areas where the thick wool will be a detriment. This is an opportunity for profit on many levels.
These animals are a good investment for those who are looking for commercial marketing opportunities. They produce lean, mild sweet tasting meat that is more popular with the public. As an investment they are very low maintenance and are pasture feeders with minimal supplemental feeding. The ewes have an early puberty and live long and productive lives.
The rams are aggressive breeders and can produce off spring all year long. It is not unusual for the ewes to have twins or triplets and many have quadruplets. The size of a herd can triple in one year under normal circumstances. The lambs are fully weaned at six weeks and are alert and walking shortly after birth.
The lack of need to shear yearly and dock the tails at birth creates a very desirable situation to those who want to raise Katahdins. Wool fabric is not as popular as it once was and shearing costs for them is very high. While they grow a thick coat to keep them warm in the winter months shed it in the early spring months.
This breed of hair sheep is exceptionally easy to care for, docile and efficient. When properly tended they require very little attention are hardy enough to adapt well to heat and humidity. Their flocking instincts allow them to be easily controlled by man or dog.
When considering whether shelter is needed you may look to simple solutions. A shed or carport should be acceptable. Bedding can be of any dry material that is available in your area. Most can live their entire lives in the field. If you need to protect them from predation by wild animals and choose an enclosed shelter the ventilation system needs to be good enough that they are not exposed to moisture and poor air. These conditions can compromise their health.
If you keep the habitat area clean and sanitary and watch the nutrition of the animals you should have minimal health issues to deal with. All health issues need to have veterinarian care. Skin rashes and ring worm are fairly common and easily dealt with. There are also more serious ailments such as scrapie and sore mouth that require immediate attention. Scrapie is similar to hoof in mouth in cattle.
Whether you are looking for a means to improve the quality of your flock or want to sell the lambs for commercial use, being one of the Katahdin sheep breeders appears to be a viable option. You will be able to meet your goals for profit in many ways. They are also in demand for herding dog trainers or land owners who wish to keep foliage in check. Their non-woolly coat makes them perfect for ranchers who live in areas where the thick wool will be a detriment. This is an opportunity for profit on many levels.
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