Everyone the world over want to make it big in their chosen business or professions. Right now you have a bit of land under your name. You want to raise some katahdin sheep, put up a katahdin hair sheep for sale sign, and wait for the money to come in. This is a noble dream and goal, but you will need a bit of information that an article like this can give so do read on.
Despite the strangely exotic and foreign sounding name, the katahdin is really a domestic breed found in Maine, and named after Mt. Katahdin. It was a breed that was developed by a certain Michael Piel out of curiosity in the late 1950s. He mated some St. Croix sheep with selected domestic stock, including the Suffolk, to create the breed. The result is a breed with two diverging genetic lines, wherein one is completely without wool and can be raised for meat and dairy, while the other is born with a lot of hair, and produces very high quality wool.
Compared to other pasture animals like cows and such, these do not require as much space. In fact as a rule of thumb, you should allocate about half a dozen per acre of land. If you have over 100 head, prepare to allocate at least 30 acres. The breed has a gestation period of around 145 days so expect your flock to at least double its size within a year at the least, even faster if the majority of the flock are ewes.
One of the most salient traits that this particular sheep breed has is that it can generally adapt very well to whatever environment it lives in. Hand in hand with this is a trait it also got from its St. Croix parents, and that is it is also very parasite resistant. These two positive traits, alongside the fact that this breed is also fairly low maintenance all add up to an attractive choice for would be commercial herders.
Most katahdins will have a 200% lamb crop, which means that 200% of its offspring can be marketed or be good enough for breeding. In layman terms, just think of it as two lambs per ewe. Thus if you are using this breed for meat purposes, the highest value it can have is if the lamb is sold at less than a year old.
Medium to large grazing animals are what katahdins can be classified as. The females, or ewes can get as heavy as 72 kilos, while the males, or rams, can get as heavy as 114 kilos. Despite the fairly respectable size, they are quite easy to handle. First time shepherds will have no problems with a starter flock of twenty ewes and one ram.
When you have finally decided on getting your starter flock grazing, then you need to prepare three things ahead. First thing you need to prepare will be a fenced in area with a sheep proof fence. Next you should also get one or two guardian dogs to keep wild animals and creatures out. And most importantly you also need a lambing shelter for the new lambs you will be producing.
This article has shown some basic considerations an ideas to mull over before entering the shepherding business. Do also try to do more research into the long term market and viability of such an industry before making a solid commitment.
Despite the strangely exotic and foreign sounding name, the katahdin is really a domestic breed found in Maine, and named after Mt. Katahdin. It was a breed that was developed by a certain Michael Piel out of curiosity in the late 1950s. He mated some St. Croix sheep with selected domestic stock, including the Suffolk, to create the breed. The result is a breed with two diverging genetic lines, wherein one is completely without wool and can be raised for meat and dairy, while the other is born with a lot of hair, and produces very high quality wool.
Compared to other pasture animals like cows and such, these do not require as much space. In fact as a rule of thumb, you should allocate about half a dozen per acre of land. If you have over 100 head, prepare to allocate at least 30 acres. The breed has a gestation period of around 145 days so expect your flock to at least double its size within a year at the least, even faster if the majority of the flock are ewes.
One of the most salient traits that this particular sheep breed has is that it can generally adapt very well to whatever environment it lives in. Hand in hand with this is a trait it also got from its St. Croix parents, and that is it is also very parasite resistant. These two positive traits, alongside the fact that this breed is also fairly low maintenance all add up to an attractive choice for would be commercial herders.
Most katahdins will have a 200% lamb crop, which means that 200% of its offspring can be marketed or be good enough for breeding. In layman terms, just think of it as two lambs per ewe. Thus if you are using this breed for meat purposes, the highest value it can have is if the lamb is sold at less than a year old.
Medium to large grazing animals are what katahdins can be classified as. The females, or ewes can get as heavy as 72 kilos, while the males, or rams, can get as heavy as 114 kilos. Despite the fairly respectable size, they are quite easy to handle. First time shepherds will have no problems with a starter flock of twenty ewes and one ram.
When you have finally decided on getting your starter flock grazing, then you need to prepare three things ahead. First thing you need to prepare will be a fenced in area with a sheep proof fence. Next you should also get one or two guardian dogs to keep wild animals and creatures out. And most importantly you also need a lambing shelter for the new lambs you will be producing.
This article has shown some basic considerations an ideas to mull over before entering the shepherding business. Do also try to do more research into the long term market and viability of such an industry before making a solid commitment.
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Get an overview of important factors to keep in mind when choosing a sheep breeder and more information about Katahdin hair sheep for sale at http://www.stablerockkatahdins.com now.
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