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 7510 Moak Road | Summit,
MS 39666 | 1.601.684.1205
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Adaptability: Katahdins have demonstrated wide adaptability. They were derived from breeds that originated in the Caribbean and British Islands, and the state of Maine was their original home. In cold weather, they grow a very thick winter coat which then sheds during warm seasons. Their smooth hair coat and other adaptive characteristics allow them to tolerate heat and humidity well. Katahdins are also significantly more tolerant of internal and external parasites than wooled sheep, and if managed carefully require only minimal parasite treatment. Temperament: Katahdins are docile so are easily handled. They exhibit moderate flocking instinct. Size: Live weight of a mature ewe in good condition usually ranges from 120 to 160 pounds; a mature ram will weight 180 to 250 pounds. Average birthweight of twins is about 8 pounds. Reproduction: Ewes and rams exhibit early puberty and generally have long productive life. Mature ewes usually have twins, occasionally producing triplets o r quadruplets. A well-managed and selected flock should produce a 200% lamb crop. Rams are aggressive breeders, generally fertile year round, and can settle a large number of ewes in the first cycle of exposure. With selection a flock can consistently lamb throughout the year. Mothering: The Katahdin ewe shows a strong, protective mothering instinct, usually lambs without assistance, and has ample milk for her lambs. Rejection of lambs is rare. Carcass and Growth: Lambs produce a high quality, well-muscled carcass that is naturally lean and consistently offers a very mild flavor. Lambs are comparable to other medium-sized maternal breeds in growth and cutability. Lambs are desirable for specialty markets at a variety of ages and weights; wethers are appropriate for conventional North American markets at 95 to 115 pounds. Coat: The hair coat of the Katahdin varies in length and texture among individuals and can be any color or color combinations. It generally consists of coarse outer hair fibers and an undercoat of fine wooly fibers that becomes very thick and longer if cold weather sets in and day length decreases. This undercoat and some hair naturally sheds as temperature and day length increase seasonally, leaving a shorter, smooth summer coat. While some uses may be found for the shed fiber, it is generally not harvested. Crossbreeding: 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 interspersed (the wool from such crosses should be segregated to avoid contaminating higher quality wools). 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. Katahdin ewes are well-suited as a base in a terminal-sire crossbreeding program to produce market lambs. Market: Katahdins are in demand by: - those who want to raise sheep that do not need shearing - producers who live in area where wool is a detriment to adaptation or where wool markets are poor - those who wish to eat or market superior quality lamb with a mild flavor - stock dog trainers - land managers looking for a low-maintenance small ruminant Head: Variety in facial characteristics is expected. Polledness is preferred, but horns and scurs are acceptable. Eyes are wide set, and ear carriage is horizontal. Lower teeth meet the dental pad evenly. Neck: Strong, of medium length: extends straight into the shoulder. A ram's neck may be covered by a mane of hair. Shoulders: Blend smoothly into the neck and back: shoulder blades have a good width between and are level with or slightly higher than the back. Well-developed upper arm muscles in rams. Chest: Wide and deep enough to provide ample room for god heart and lung capacity. Slightly less width than hindquarters in females. Back: Strong, smooth, and broad; loin long, wide deep and well-fleshed. Ribs: Well sprung, wide and deep. Abdomen: Large capacity for consuming forage and carrying lambs (bottom or side line should not necessarily be straight). Rump: Wide and well fleshed; rounded appearance; deep in twist. Tail: Length is variable; preferable undocked, except for market lambs. Legs: Medium length and bone in proportion to size. Sound leg structure: properly angled at hock, front legs straight, strong pasterns, straight feet free of defect. Muscles of the thigh are thick, with obvious muscularity on the inner and outer thigh, carried down to the shank. Scrotum, Udder: Two large, well-developed and balanced testicles in rams. Two teats on well-developed, well-balanced udder with good attachment in ewes. Organs free of obvious functional defect or disease. Hair Coat: No discrimination is made as to color on any part of the body. The coat shall preferably consist of hair rather than wooly fibers, though hair texture will vary. Defects: - Over-or undershot jaw - Very light bone structure - Weak shoulders or back - Cow- or sickle-hocked legs - Weak pasterns or splayed hoofs - Cryptorchidism or monoshidism - Extremely small testicles - Missing or malformed teats |