Monday, February 18, 2019

Useful Information Regarding Katahdin Sheep For Sale

By Arthur Harris


Katahdins are a special breed of sheep that came from the state of Maine in the United States. They were developed at the foot of Mount Katahdin, which made them to be named after the mountain. Although initially confined in the state of Maine, their superior quality and characteristics have made them an international breed. They can be found anywhere in the world today. This is worth knowing about Katahdin sheep for sale.

Just to mention a few of their characteristics, these animals are extremely hardy and adaptable. These two qualities make is possible for them to be survive in any kind of weather and environmental conditions without a lot of difficulties. As part of their adaptability, they grow a very thick coat in order to survive in cold weather. The coat is shed during summer to prevent overheating during the hot weather.

These animals have higher tolerance to humidity and heat. They also exhibit high tolerance to external and internal parasites. In comparison to wooled sheep, they show higher tolerance to a wide range of both external and internal parasites. Under good care, they will require minimal parasite treatment.

Katahdins are docile hence making them very easy to be handled. Unlike other animals and sheep breeds, it is simple to move them from one location to another with very minimum disturbance. This is made easier by the fact that they portray moderate flocking instinct. Flocking instinct is among the main characteristics which the developer of the breed aimed for. It was achieved through crossbreeding animals which have the trait.

Katahdins grow to achieve a lot of weight. They are also among the biggest breeds of sheep in existence. An ewe that is well taken care of can achieve a weight range of between 125 and 185 pounds. On the other hand, mature rams achieve a weight range of 180 to 250 pounds. Twins usually weight 8 pounds on average at the time of birth.

These animals have one of the longest reproductive lives due to early puberty. In most cases, ewes normally give birth to twins. But, occasionally, they give birth to quadruplets and triplets. A 200 percent rate lamb crop should be expected if the flock is managed well. When it comes to breeding, rams show an elevated level of aggression. Furthermore, they are usually fertile throughout the year.

The length and texture of the hair usually varies from one individual to another. The coat can be of any color, with a combination of colors also being possible. The coat is composed of two layers, with the inner layer being soft and wooly, while the outer one is rough. The length of the coat varies with the prevailing weather conditions too.

The demand for katahdins is very high in the world today. People buy these animals for their meat and also for the purposes of keeping a flock. They can also be used in a crossbreeding program to produce other breeds of sheep with superior qualities.




About the Author:



No comments: