Katahdin is a slightly newer variety of sheep found in America. Its development occurred in 1950s by Piel Michael, an amateur geneticist and a farmer. The animal was named after Mt. Katahdin in the state of Maine where the farm was located. The breed was a result of a cross between haired sheep and British breeds. When in necessity for Katahdin sheep Kentucky is worth visiting before other places.
Registrations, transfer numbers, and surveys reveal that this breed makes up the highest proportion of all sheep meat consumed in USA. The animals should not be mistaken with goats because of the resemblance because they have 54 chromosomes unlike goats which have 60. Infact, cross-breeding with goats cannot produce fertile pregnancies. Mouflon, the ancestor of current day sheep resembled goats a lot and may be the cause of the goat-like appearance.
These animals may have coats of one color or a blend of numerous colors forming patterns of different types. Red, white, brown, and black are however the major colors. White occurs more frequently than the other colors. The white coat may have different other colors. There are no variations in production or other traits based on coat color. No discriminations are made by the breed association basing on color either.
Naturally, the breed is polled and does not grow horns. However, since the animals were developed from Wiltshire Horn breed, some may develop horns or scurs as a residual influence. The breed association and most breeders prefer polled animals. Standards that regulate the species allow horns and scurs. Some may also develop milk goiter, which is perfectly normal in well performing lambs. The goiter should not be misdiagnosed for iodine goiter, bottle jaw, or an abscess.
The conditions for development of these animals were very cold and mountainous. This implies that they can be reared in the coldest parts of the world. Their adaptability to various climates is also very high. For instance, they maintain proper body temperatures in cold climates by growing thick coats. The coat is normally lighter in warm conditions. Nutrition is the one factor that influences the ability of an animal to maintain their body temperature at the correct level.
This breed has several outstanding qualities that lack in other breeds. One of the qualities is that they do not need tail docking, crutching, or shearing. The breed is also highly resistant to gastro-intestinal parasites. Body fitness and reproduction traits are also very elegant. Fertility, milk production, mothering ability, and prolificacy are all very high. According to commercial standards, meat quality is high too.
Lambing ability is high, but also dependent on many factors. Age, season of breeding, and nutrition are the major factors that affect lambing. Each lambing results in at least more than two lambs on average. Number of lambs and capability to lamb depends significantly on the body condition. Ewes with more than one lamb should be fed plenty of feed with more nutrient content. This helps to meet milk requirements by the lambs.
Breeding should be started at 12 months of age. Weight should be based on more when deciding time of breeding than the age. Rams achieve breeding age at 7 to 8 months after birth.
Registrations, transfer numbers, and surveys reveal that this breed makes up the highest proportion of all sheep meat consumed in USA. The animals should not be mistaken with goats because of the resemblance because they have 54 chromosomes unlike goats which have 60. Infact, cross-breeding with goats cannot produce fertile pregnancies. Mouflon, the ancestor of current day sheep resembled goats a lot and may be the cause of the goat-like appearance.
These animals may have coats of one color or a blend of numerous colors forming patterns of different types. Red, white, brown, and black are however the major colors. White occurs more frequently than the other colors. The white coat may have different other colors. There are no variations in production or other traits based on coat color. No discriminations are made by the breed association basing on color either.
Naturally, the breed is polled and does not grow horns. However, since the animals were developed from Wiltshire Horn breed, some may develop horns or scurs as a residual influence. The breed association and most breeders prefer polled animals. Standards that regulate the species allow horns and scurs. Some may also develop milk goiter, which is perfectly normal in well performing lambs. The goiter should not be misdiagnosed for iodine goiter, bottle jaw, or an abscess.
The conditions for development of these animals were very cold and mountainous. This implies that they can be reared in the coldest parts of the world. Their adaptability to various climates is also very high. For instance, they maintain proper body temperatures in cold climates by growing thick coats. The coat is normally lighter in warm conditions. Nutrition is the one factor that influences the ability of an animal to maintain their body temperature at the correct level.
This breed has several outstanding qualities that lack in other breeds. One of the qualities is that they do not need tail docking, crutching, or shearing. The breed is also highly resistant to gastro-intestinal parasites. Body fitness and reproduction traits are also very elegant. Fertility, milk production, mothering ability, and prolificacy are all very high. According to commercial standards, meat quality is high too.
Lambing ability is high, but also dependent on many factors. Age, season of breeding, and nutrition are the major factors that affect lambing. Each lambing results in at least more than two lambs on average. Number of lambs and capability to lamb depends significantly on the body condition. Ewes with more than one lamb should be fed plenty of feed with more nutrient content. This helps to meet milk requirements by the lambs.
Breeding should be started at 12 months of age. Weight should be based on more when deciding time of breeding than the age. Rams achieve breeding age at 7 to 8 months after birth.
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