Katahdin


Breed Description

Katahdin is a breed of domestic sheep developed in Maine, United States and named after Mount Katahdin – the state’s highest peak. This breed was developed by crossing selected St. Croix sheep from the Virgin Islands with various other breeds, including the Suffolk. Thus, it has wide adaptability and good for many areas. They are also significantly tolerant of internal and external parasites. Katahdin is the largest size of sheep in National Breeding Center. The average Katahdin ewe weight is 120 to 160 pounds and the ram’s weight is 180 to 250. The carcass rate of this breed is good. Overall, it will be a good choice to improve the body size of the original flock.

More Information

Country of origin: United States of America

Traits: Meat Use

Breed Details

The Katahdin breed is a wooless, easy care, meat type sheep, naturally tolerant of climatic extremes and capable of high performance in a wide variety of environments. The purpose of the breed is to efficiently produce meat. The covering of the Katahdin does not require shearing and is preferably completely free of permanent wooly fibers. The coat can be any color or pattern. Polled animals are preferred; horned and scurred individuals are recorded as such. Katahdins are a heavy-muscled, medium-sized breed. They demonstrate adaptability by performing well in areas varying in geography, temperature, and humidity, feed and forage resources, and management systems. Ewes are easy lambers, and exhibit strong maternal instincts and good milking ability. They possess high potential for early puberty, fertility, and lamb survivability. Lambs grow and mature rapidly to an acceptable market weight range and produce relatively lean and well muscled carcasses with a very mild flavor.

author

Katahdin Hair Sheep International


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