About Katahdin Sheep

Adaptability
Katahdins 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 very thick winter coats which then sheds during the warmer seasons. Their smooth hair coat and other adaptive characteristics allow then to tolerate heat and humidity well. Katahdins are also significantly more tolerant of internal and external parasites than woolled sheep, if managed carefully require only minimal parasite treatment.

Katahdins are in demand by:
Those who wish to eat or market superior quality lamb with a mild flavor
Those who want to raise sheep that do not need shearing
Producers who live in areas where wool is a detriment to adaptation or where wool markets are poor
Land managers who are looking for low-maintenance small ruminant
Stock dog trainers

Sheep Management
Gestation: Averages 145 to 148 days (5 months)
Puberty: Rams reach sexual maturity between 5 and 7 months, ewes between 6 and 7 months of age. Most ewes will lamb at 12 months of age.
Reproductive Rate: Yearlings will have a lambing rate of about 125% and second and subsequent lambers should have a rate around 175-200%.
Reproductive Life span: Ewes will remain productive from 7 to 8 years with individuals known to remain productive for years longer.
Breeding Season: The usual breeding season if from August to December. Many Katahdin ewes will breed through out the year. Check with the breeder first.
Lambing Management: Katahdin ewes are excellent mothers, and do not need constant management during lambing season. Katahdins are well-suited to outdoor pasture lambing in the spring, they lamb easily and care for their lambs who are very vigorous at birth.
Housing: Katahdin are very hardy, however, they do need some sort of shelter during cold, wet, windy or very hot weather such as a south-facing bluff, trees, etc. If not a shed, lean-to, or barn.
Fencing: Due to not having wool to insulate them from shock, Katahdin respond quite well to high tensile, low impedance, electric fencing. Woven wire, field fence, etc. will also hold them.
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Pictures of Our Sheep