Katahdin
The Katahdin is the first hair sheep breed to meet North American standards for carcass quality. The breed takes its name from Mt. Katahdin in the state of Maine where it was developed primarily from crosses with the St. Croix, Suffolk and Wiltshire Horn. Michael Piel, an innovator and amateur geneticist, is given credit for developing the breed during the late 1950's. The hair coat of the Katahdin varies in length and texture among individuals and can be any color or color pattern, though white is commonly preferred. Katahdins shed their coat seasonally. They are touted as an "easy care" meat sheep, because they do not require shearing, tail docking or crutching. Studies have shown Katahdins to possess a significantly higher degree of parasite tolerance than wooled sheep. Heat tolerance trials demonstrated a similar relationship. Katahdins are moderately prolific and have an extended breeding season. They are well suited to outdoor pasture lambing and are adapted to both hot and cold climates. A Canadian study showed Katahdin meat to have a significantly lower amount of cholesterol than the average domestic lamb or New Zealand lamb.
Images
Katahdin ram - Waverly, VA (25K)
Katahdin ewes - Waverly, VA (45K)
Katahdin ewes - Triple L Farms, Waynesboro, VA (47 K)
Katahdin ewe with twins - Suffolk, VA (45K)
Katahdin ewes with lambs - Suffolk, VA (37K)
Katahdin yearling ewe with lamb - Suffolk, VA (40K)
Katahdin ewes with young lambs - Dominican Republic (72K)
Katahdin rams - Virginia State University (46K)
Katahdin rams - Dominican Republic (52K)
Katahdin ram lamb - Suffolk, VA (69K)
Katahdin x Dorper ram (rear view) - Dominican Republic (81K)
Katahdin ram with Barbados Blackbelly ewes - Trinidad and Tobago (71K)
Katahdin x Barbados Blackbelly ewe - Dominican Republic (88K)
Katahdin x White Dorper ewes - Sweedsboro, New Jersey (44K)
Katahdin (L) and Katahdin x Barbados Blackbelly (R) ewe - Dominican Republic (44 K)
Boy with lamb Katahdin lamb (38 K)
Katahdin ewe with Hampshire-sired lambs - Suffolk, VA (28K)
Katahdin breed associations
Alberta Katahdin Sheep Association
Canadian Katahdin Sheep Association
Great Lakes Katahdin Hair Sheep Association
Katahdin Hair Sheep International
Midwest Katahdin Hair Sheep Association
Pacific Coast Katahdin Hair Sheep Association
Saskatchewan Katahdin Sheep Association
SouthCentral Katahdin Hair Sheep Association
Southeast Katahdin Hair Sheep Association
Western Katahdin Sheep Co-operative Ltd. Inc.
Links
Oklahoma State University Breeds of Livestock
U.S. Directory of Sheep Breeds
Nutritional analysis of Katahdin sheep meat
NDSU explores hair sheep potential
Hair Sheep Home