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 What
is a Katahdin Sheep?
Katahdin sheep are a breed
of hair sheep developed in the United States. The Katahdin breed
originated at the Piel Farm in north central Maine where Michael
Piel was an innovator and amateur geneticist who enjoyed raising
livestock. His first intentions related to establishing a sheep
enterprise were to use sheep to graze power lines instead of
spraying or mowing the vegetation. He then developed other ideas
on how to employ sheep for land management.
In 1956 and 1957, Piel began making inquiries about hair sheep
after seeing pictures in a National Geographic magazine of West
African hair sheep.
In the early 1970s, Piel felt he had come close to his goal of a
"meat sheep that did not require shearing." He selected from his
large flock approximately 120 of the best ewes and called them
"Katahdin" sheep after Mt. Katahdin, the highest peak in the
state of Maine.
Katahdin are hardy, adaptable, low maintenance sheep that
produce superior lamb crops and lean, meaty carcasses. They do
not produce a fleece and therefore do not require shearing. They
are medium-sized and efficient, bred for utility and for
production in a variety of management systems. Ewes have
exceptional mothering ability and lamb easily; lambs are born
vigorous and alert. The breed is ideal for pasture lambing and
grass/foragebased management systems. Katahdins are docile so
are easily handled. They exhibit moderate flocking instinct.
The Katahdin can be used in crossbreeding programs. When crossed
with wool sheep, the first generation offspring will in most
cases have wool fleeces with hair intersperse. It usually takes
at least 3 generations, depending on the type of wool sheep
parentage, to obtain offspring with a shedding hair coat and
other purebred characteristics.
Sheep are extremely beneficial.
Some of the many resources sheep provide include:
meat, pelts, wool, manure for gardens,
lanolin and fat for soap and candles,
and waste wool for insulation.
They are also excellent for mowing the grass!
Registered Stock. Top Quality bloodlines.
Lambs for sale by reservation.
Due to our work and show schedule,
farm visits are by appointment
only
SOVREIGN FARMS
Myakka City, FL 34251
member:
JSBA (Jacob Sheep Breeders Assoc)
Jacob Sheep Breeder's Association
JSC (Jacob Sheep Conservancy)
Jacob Sheep
Conservancy
ALBC (American Livestock Breeders
Assoc)
American Livestock Breeds
Conservancy
 
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