Facts Regarding Katahdin Rams For Sale

By Michael Collins


Katahdins are a certain breed of sheep that was developed by Mr. Perl. They originated from in the twentieth century. The area of origin is Maine around mount Katahdin. The mountain is one of the highest points in the US. They resulted from crossbreeding local breeds and breeds that were imported from various places around the world. The local breed used was St. Croix while various exotic breeds were used, including Suffolk. Here is what one should know about Katahdin Rams for Sale.

The breed is uniquely hard, requires minimal maintenance and does not demand to shear, as it does not habituate flees. The ram is supposedly medium sized and very efficient for production being favourite for its lean meat production. The suitability of the breed is clearly visible on the basis of grass/forage based management systems.

Farmers prefer this breed because of several characteristics, and one of them is temperament. Generally, the rams are not violent. They exhibit docility when the farmer is handling them. They remain calm when medicine, pesticides, and other chemicals are being administered. This is not usually the case with other breeds of sheep.

The ability of the rams to adapt is one of the reasons why it is preferred by many farmers. The ability to adapt is said to have been adapted from the original breeds that were crossbred to attain the Katahdin breed. Those ancestors originated from Caribbean Island. One of the adaptive features is development of a thick coat to protect against cold. The coat is shed after the cold season passes.

The normal weight of the ram ranges from 200 pounds to 250 pounds. However, several factors exist that may affect the weight. Some of them include the weight and health of the animal. If the ram weight below 180 pounds, it should serve as a warning to the farmer. This means that it has a disease or the parasites have been accumulated to a very high level in the body.

The ram produces a high-quality carcass that is supposedly lean and of good marketability. The meat from the sheep out does other sheep meat and fetches a good profit for the farmer as compared to other breeds. However, the meat quality is highly dependent on the age of the ram a young ram will sell more than an old aged ram.

Similar to the ewes, the rams usually exhibit early puberty, which translates into longer productive life. If the flock is managed well, it should be in a position to produce 200 percent of lamp crop. The rams remain active and reproductive throughout the year. As such, they can serve several ewes, something that saves the farmer the cost of having to keep multiple rams in a flock.

The coat of the rams usually differs in color and texture from one animal to the other. However, in general, the ram has a coarse outer fiber and a fine woolly undercoat. The fur becomes thick and longer during cold conditions where there is minimal sunlight. This way, they stay warm and are able to survive even the most extreme weather conditions.




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