To Get Superior Breeds Of Katahdin Sheep Kentucky Deserves To Be Visited
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.
According to current registrations, transfer numbers, and research, this breed is the most popular breed of sheep consumed and reared on farms in the US. Irrespective of their tendency to look like goats, these animals are pure sheep having 54 chromosomes and not 60 as in goats. Infact, fertile pregnancies are not possible with goats. The goat-like appearance may be because of Mouflon, the ancestor of most modern sheep resembled goats.
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, horns do not grow in this breed because it is a polled species. However, because of residual influence from Wiltshire Horn breed from which it was developed, some animals develop scur and grow horns. Breeders and breed association like polled animals more than those that grow horns. The breed standards allow horning and scurring. Some lambs also develop milk goiter. This occurs in randomly even in perfectly healthy lambs. For that reason, one should avoid diagnosing the goiter for an abscess, iodine goiter, or bottle jaw.
These animals were developed under very cold, mountainous conditions. This gives them a high ability to survive under cold conditions. They also show high adaptability to a wide spectrum of weather conditions. For instance, they survive under cold conditions by developing a thick coat which insulates the body against heat loss. In warm regions, they develop a slightly lighter coat. To maintain suitable body temperatures, the right nutrition must be fed to the animals.
There are many outstanding qualities in this breed that cannot be found in other breeds. One of the attractive qualities is that there is no need for tail docking, shearing, or crutching. The farmer also gains from the ability of the animal to resist gastro-intestinal parasites. The species also has excellent reproduction traits and body fitness. It has high fertility, milk production, prolificacy, and mothering ability. The quality of the meat is also impeccable.
Lambing is very high in these animals although it is affected by several factors. Some of the factors include nutrition, season of breeding, and age. A mature ewe will however lamb more than two lambs per lambing on average. Poor body condition can affect the number of lambs and ability to lamb adversely. Ewes that are raising two or three lambs should be fed on feeds with more nutrients to compensate for the milk fed to young ones.
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.
According to current registrations, transfer numbers, and research, this breed is the most popular breed of sheep consumed and reared on farms in the US. Irrespective of their tendency to look like goats, these animals are pure sheep having 54 chromosomes and not 60 as in goats. Infact, fertile pregnancies are not possible with goats. The goat-like appearance may be because of Mouflon, the ancestor of most modern sheep resembled goats.
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, horns do not grow in this breed because it is a polled species. However, because of residual influence from Wiltshire Horn breed from which it was developed, some animals develop scur and grow horns. Breeders and breed association like polled animals more than those that grow horns. The breed standards allow horning and scurring. Some lambs also develop milk goiter. This occurs in randomly even in perfectly healthy lambs. For that reason, one should avoid diagnosing the goiter for an abscess, iodine goiter, or bottle jaw.
These animals were developed under very cold, mountainous conditions. This gives them a high ability to survive under cold conditions. They also show high adaptability to a wide spectrum of weather conditions. For instance, they survive under cold conditions by developing a thick coat which insulates the body against heat loss. In warm regions, they develop a slightly lighter coat. To maintain suitable body temperatures, the right nutrition must be fed to the animals.
There are many outstanding qualities in this breed that cannot be found in other breeds. One of the attractive qualities is that there is no need for tail docking, shearing, or crutching. The farmer also gains from the ability of the animal to resist gastro-intestinal parasites. The species also has excellent reproduction traits and body fitness. It has high fertility, milk production, prolificacy, and mothering ability. The quality of the meat is also impeccable.
Lambing is very high in these animals although it is affected by several factors. Some of the factors include nutrition, season of breeding, and age. A mature ewe will however lamb more than two lambs per lambing on average. Poor body condition can affect the number of lambs and ability to lamb adversely. Ewes that are raising two or three lambs should be fed on feeds with more nutrients to compensate for the milk fed to young ones.
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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