You would be really hard put to find a better breed than the Katahdin. Of course, we are going out on a limb here by claiming that. However, it is an incontrovertible fact that farmers and breeders look for many qualities when it comes to their flock. Low maintenance and high profitability are, of course, somewhere along the high echelons of the list. This enterprise is not the lottery, however, and to glean profit, one would have to delve into some knowhow and machination into what drives those qualities. For instance, the proper selection of rams and ewes are certainly top notch. For starters, browse over these katahdin rams for sale.
The exoticism of the name should give you an idea about the wonders of this breed. Raised in the high altitudes of Mount Katahdin in Maine, this domestic sheep is a relatively newly developed one. It sprung in the latter half of the twentieth century, resulting from interbreeding between the Virgin Islands St. Croix sheep and other breeds, most notably the Suffolk.
What is most remarkable with the Katahdin is that it is adaptable, hardy, and remarkably low maintenance. The staples they produce, from the meaty carcasses to other lamb crops, are widely recognized as high quality and superior. That makes them sure drivers of profitability. They even a few natural defenses that thoroughly makes them good value, which we will discuss later.
Because of their high quality genes, Katahdins are very much apt and suitable for crossbreeding programs. Therefore, they are generally good candidates for interbreeding with the much more commercially popular wool sheep. It takes at most 3 generation breeding to obtain the quality characteristics of the Katahdin, like natural shedding, and when talking about animal husbandry, three generations is not a long time to wait.
This breed is also extremely low maintenance. Because it naturally shears its winter coat, the farmer will not have to get himself in a jiffy in shearing it. The hair is also a flexible or versatile feature. Because the basis of the breed is not so much on appearance, the coat can come in any color. One also has the option of interbreeding them with the common sheep, so the offspring come out with a mix of hair and predominant wool.
Another benefit that animal breeders can surely look forward to and take as a fact is that the ewes lamb easily. Their mothering predilection and abilities are really remarkable, and by remarkable, we mean exceptional. Lambs are rejected very rarely. And because of this high quality mothering, the lambs are born alert and vigorous, almost precocial. They are suited to many settings, and also many shepherding types. For example, you have pasture lambing, and then you also have the forage based kind of management.
However, it goes without saying that all these desirable characteristics are still down on genetic quality. That makes sourcing good sires and dames altogether imperative. And since the rams are more active, productivity wise, and that they have the predilection to mark and settle multiple ewes at any point in time, special care should be taken in sourcing them. Carefully evaluate the stocks before you purchase them. A slight mishap can quickly accumulate and build its way down your flocks.
Low maintenance is a good profit feature among commercial farmers. This particular livestock also does not call for particularities and finicky conditions. In fact, they are very much adaptable to all kinds of climates and conditions. Well, that holds true for nearly all kinds of hair sheep, but it would sound more impressive if we point that out as well. The lack of maintenance and necessary treatment makes the Katahdin a good choice for meat breeds and organic lambs. It is only deserving that they have become among the most prevalent and predominant breeds in the continental United States.
The low maintenance quality of the Katahdin goes out of common the common way, and it certainly entails more than physical characteristics and features. The fact is, this breed is easily handled because they are so docile. Especially with the rams, temperamental changes and natural aggression are some things that will constantly keep you up on your toes. However, this breed expresses considerable flocking instinct, more so than other sheep. Profitability is also a sure thing. That is because the sheep exhibits early puberty and their productive life is long. Twin lambs are very common in mature ewes and you have at most a 200 percent assurance of gleaning lamb crop. It is important to source good quality rams, those that are fertile the whole year round, and aggressive enough to settle a good number of ewes. When you zero down on the selection, you can make good sure that your flock can consistently produce the whole year through.
The exoticism of the name should give you an idea about the wonders of this breed. Raised in the high altitudes of Mount Katahdin in Maine, this domestic sheep is a relatively newly developed one. It sprung in the latter half of the twentieth century, resulting from interbreeding between the Virgin Islands St. Croix sheep and other breeds, most notably the Suffolk.
What is most remarkable with the Katahdin is that it is adaptable, hardy, and remarkably low maintenance. The staples they produce, from the meaty carcasses to other lamb crops, are widely recognized as high quality and superior. That makes them sure drivers of profitability. They even a few natural defenses that thoroughly makes them good value, which we will discuss later.
Because of their high quality genes, Katahdins are very much apt and suitable for crossbreeding programs. Therefore, they are generally good candidates for interbreeding with the much more commercially popular wool sheep. It takes at most 3 generation breeding to obtain the quality characteristics of the Katahdin, like natural shedding, and when talking about animal husbandry, three generations is not a long time to wait.
This breed is also extremely low maintenance. Because it naturally shears its winter coat, the farmer will not have to get himself in a jiffy in shearing it. The hair is also a flexible or versatile feature. Because the basis of the breed is not so much on appearance, the coat can come in any color. One also has the option of interbreeding them with the common sheep, so the offspring come out with a mix of hair and predominant wool.
Another benefit that animal breeders can surely look forward to and take as a fact is that the ewes lamb easily. Their mothering predilection and abilities are really remarkable, and by remarkable, we mean exceptional. Lambs are rejected very rarely. And because of this high quality mothering, the lambs are born alert and vigorous, almost precocial. They are suited to many settings, and also many shepherding types. For example, you have pasture lambing, and then you also have the forage based kind of management.
However, it goes without saying that all these desirable characteristics are still down on genetic quality. That makes sourcing good sires and dames altogether imperative. And since the rams are more active, productivity wise, and that they have the predilection to mark and settle multiple ewes at any point in time, special care should be taken in sourcing them. Carefully evaluate the stocks before you purchase them. A slight mishap can quickly accumulate and build its way down your flocks.
Low maintenance is a good profit feature among commercial farmers. This particular livestock also does not call for particularities and finicky conditions. In fact, they are very much adaptable to all kinds of climates and conditions. Well, that holds true for nearly all kinds of hair sheep, but it would sound more impressive if we point that out as well. The lack of maintenance and necessary treatment makes the Katahdin a good choice for meat breeds and organic lambs. It is only deserving that they have become among the most prevalent and predominant breeds in the continental United States.
The low maintenance quality of the Katahdin goes out of common the common way, and it certainly entails more than physical characteristics and features. The fact is, this breed is easily handled because they are so docile. Especially with the rams, temperamental changes and natural aggression are some things that will constantly keep you up on your toes. However, this breed expresses considerable flocking instinct, more so than other sheep. Profitability is also a sure thing. That is because the sheep exhibits early puberty and their productive life is long. Twin lambs are very common in mature ewes and you have at most a 200 percent assurance of gleaning lamb crop. It is important to source good quality rams, those that are fertile the whole year round, and aggressive enough to settle a good number of ewes. When you zero down on the selection, you can make good sure that your flock can consistently produce the whole year through.
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You can get valuable tips on how to choose a sheep breed and more information about Katahdin rams for sale at http://www.stablerockkatahdins.com/our-rams.html now.
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