Part of second half of the20th century in US featured the development of unique domestic animals. This resulted into katahdin sheep. The sheep was first developed in Maine near Katahdin mountain, hence the name. The breeding and research work was handled by amateur geneticist known as Micheal Piel. His sole aim was to develop a variety of sheep with good flocking instinct, better hair coat, meat type conformation, and high fertility.
His research work was directed at producing ewes and rams with hair coats and not wool. Non-wool producing breed was required because of the high cost of shearing and the low price of wool. The new breed had better mothering qualities compared to their parents. For hardy and docile Katahdin sheep Kentucky is worth visiting. They show high resistance to both internal and external parasites. Being docile they are easy to handle.
Healthy and full grown females vary in weight from 160 pounds to 120 pounds. Mature males have a weight variation of between 250 pounds to180 pounds. Most twins average eight pounds at birth. Ewes normally give birth to two lambs, although they may have triplets or quadruplets in some occasions. Females exhibit better protective instinct.
Twelve months is the earliest time ewes can be mate provided they have attained the required size and weight. It is important to focus more on weight than size. Once lambs have attained two-thirds of the size of mature ewes they can be bred. First-time mothers should be managed and fed separately from those that have already have young ones until their lambs are weaned. This is done to help them be better mothers.
Females and males mature early and show prolonged productive life. Rams are reliable breeders with the capability of fertilizing the whole year. A single ram may serve many females in the first wave of exposure. Females and males may be applied in crossbreeding. First time generation lambs between katahdins and other breeds of wool sheep are covered with wool fleeces.
It takes approximately 3 generations or even more depending on the type of crossbred wool animal to have lambs with purebred features like shedding hair coats. The lengths and textures of hair coats vary on each sheep. Kentucky katahdins are born with many either pure or sorts of shades. Brown, red, black and white are the commonest shades. Some have spots or unique patterns.
Young males and females are a source of quality and healthy lean meat. The quantity of fatty acid in the meat depends on the diet. Their meat contains important omega three and six fatty acids. Grass is the major source of fatty acids, even though a diet with specific oils or fats can achieve the same results. Details on the types of fats or oils to be included in the diet has to be prescribed by trained veterinaries. This is done for health reasons.
Katahdins are tough animals with eating habits similar to that of goats. They eat anything ranging from smooth barks of deciduous trees to weeds. They stand on hind legs to reach leaves and strip tree barks. They can be destructive if not controlled. Katahdin lambs have a habit of climbing on hay and any plants. To prevent this, bale rings should be placed around trees and plants that a person wishes to protect.
His research work was directed at producing ewes and rams with hair coats and not wool. Non-wool producing breed was required because of the high cost of shearing and the low price of wool. The new breed had better mothering qualities compared to their parents. For hardy and docile Katahdin sheep Kentucky is worth visiting. They show high resistance to both internal and external parasites. Being docile they are easy to handle.
Healthy and full grown females vary in weight from 160 pounds to 120 pounds. Mature males have a weight variation of between 250 pounds to180 pounds. Most twins average eight pounds at birth. Ewes normally give birth to two lambs, although they may have triplets or quadruplets in some occasions. Females exhibit better protective instinct.
Twelve months is the earliest time ewes can be mate provided they have attained the required size and weight. It is important to focus more on weight than size. Once lambs have attained two-thirds of the size of mature ewes they can be bred. First-time mothers should be managed and fed separately from those that have already have young ones until their lambs are weaned. This is done to help them be better mothers.
Females and males mature early and show prolonged productive life. Rams are reliable breeders with the capability of fertilizing the whole year. A single ram may serve many females in the first wave of exposure. Females and males may be applied in crossbreeding. First time generation lambs between katahdins and other breeds of wool sheep are covered with wool fleeces.
It takes approximately 3 generations or even more depending on the type of crossbred wool animal to have lambs with purebred features like shedding hair coats. The lengths and textures of hair coats vary on each sheep. Kentucky katahdins are born with many either pure or sorts of shades. Brown, red, black and white are the commonest shades. Some have spots or unique patterns.
Young males and females are a source of quality and healthy lean meat. The quantity of fatty acid in the meat depends on the diet. Their meat contains important omega three and six fatty acids. Grass is the major source of fatty acids, even though a diet with specific oils or fats can achieve the same results. Details on the types of fats or oils to be included in the diet has to be prescribed by trained veterinaries. This is done for health reasons.
Katahdins are tough animals with eating habits similar to that of goats. They eat anything ranging from smooth barks of deciduous trees to weeds. They stand on hind legs to reach leaves and strip tree barks. They can be destructive if not controlled. Katahdin lambs have a habit of climbing on hay and any plants. To prevent this, bale rings should be placed around trees and plants that a person wishes to protect.
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