Katahdin sheep
The Katahdin is a breed of domestic sheep developed by breeder Michael Piel (1920–1976) in Maine, United States. He named this new breed after Mount Katahdin, the state’s highest peak. The breed was developed during the second half of the 20th century by crossing selected St. Croix sheep from the Virgin Islands with various other breeds including the Suffolk.
The Katahdin sheep breed was the first in the United States to reach sheep industry standards of carcass quality.[1][2][3]The average Katahdin ewe weight is 120 to 160 pounds (54 to 73 kg) and the ram's weight is 180 to 250 pounds (82 to 113 kg). Most Katahdin ewes will have a 200% lamb crop. The Katahdin, as a hair sheep,[4] sheds its winter coat, so it does not have to be sheared. The Katahdin's hair[further explanation needed] comes in a variety of colors as the emphasis of the breed is on production rather than appearance. When Katahdins are crossed with wool sheep, their offspring usually have a predominantly wool coat with some hair mixed in.
The Katahdin sheep breed is also resistant to parasites[5] – a trait inherited from its St. Croix ancestors.
References
[edit]- ^ "Katahdin Sheep Breed Information". RaisingSheep.net. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
- ^ "Lamb Grades and Standards | Agricultural Marketing Service".
- ^ "Carcass Composition of Hair Sheep Breeds and Crosses".
- ^ "ARS Breeding Sheep with Hair--Not Wool : USDA ARS".
- ^ Morgan, Jim (2008). "Katahdin Breeders Take the World Lead in Parasite Resistance Selection" (PDF). The Katahdin Hairald.