Review of Katahdin Sheep x White Dorper Sheep Cross by Lorna Wall

Ewes and rams exhibit early puberty and generally have a long productive life. Mature ewes usually have twins, occasionally producing triplets or 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. (In Canada we notice a lull in breeding during late spring) The Katahdin ewe shows a strong, protective mothering instinct, usually lambs without assistance, and has ample milk for her lambs.
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. Katahdin lambs do not work well in mixed feedlots as they require less feed than wool breeds and therefore are less agressive eaters so should be finished at home for the best market price.
We use the Dorper sheep as a cross on the Katahdins to increase the size for meat production. We prefer the White Dorper (taller and longer body) to the Black Dorper (shorter stature with barrel shape) for a comercial sheep. They produce meaty fast growing lambs and still keep all the best attributes for replacement ewes. In the attached pictures the ewe with black & white lambs is a Black Dorper/Kat cross. The Tan ewe is a Katahdin (purebred) & lambs are White Dorper Cross at less than one month of age.
For more information and pictures and discussion on Sheep & crosses, LGD's and stock dogs please visit our website www.wall2wallsheep.com