To Get Superior Breeds Of Katahdin Sheep Kentucky Deserves To Be Visited
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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.
Development of these animals happened under cold mountain foot climates. This makes them very suitable for rearing in cold areas. They can also adapt very well under a wide range of climates. For instance, under very cold conditions, they develop a very thick coat to insulate against heat loss from the body. In warm regions, the coat developed is slightly thin. Nutrition plays a major role in maintenance of body temperature under suitable levels.
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 starts at the age of 12 months. Decision to breed should however be based more on weight than age. Rams are normally ready for breeding at the age of 7 to 8 months.
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.
Development of these animals happened under cold mountain foot climates. This makes them very suitable for rearing in cold areas. They can also adapt very well under a wide range of climates. For instance, under very cold conditions, they develop a very thick coat to insulate against heat loss from the body. In warm regions, the coat developed is slightly thin. Nutrition plays a major role in maintenance of body temperature under suitable levels.
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 starts at the age of 12 months. Decision to breed should however be based more on weight than age. Rams are normally ready for breeding at the age of 7 to 8 months.
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