I live in a small condo and armed by nothing but dreams and curiosity. of Grants Pass. (Grabbing a Romanov thats been walking through cockleburs is like wrestling with a 130-pound cocklebur.). Know a lot about lawn mowers, but nothing about sheep? Fact: While its true that Barbados and St. Croix are small animals (ewes 80-110 pounds), few commercial breeders raise them. A type of hair breed, Katahdin sheep originate in the United States. Not a Pioneer? So in my little comparison of raising sheep for profit and raising cattle for profit, even with all the variabilities, sheep seem to be a bit more profitable. My friend also mentioned his Katahdin-Dorper lambs are much fatter when born than Polypays. He . We just started raising Katahdins this year. What Needle Felting Supplies Do You Use for Sculpting? Breeders Association. Caribbean Hair sheep were developed from West African hair sheep and a few European wooled sheep that were brought to the Caribbean beginning in the 1600s. The best genetics wont keep an animal from starving to death. On the Island of St. Croix, they come in shades of brown, white and black. Katahdin sheep and Dorper are bred as meat sheep breeds. For us, the Katahdin sheep breed fits our operation and our philosophy quite well. And yet, despite the careful mathematical calculations of profit margins, and scientific research on varieties and methods, and the technical ins and out of any pursuit, there is also that most incalculable of all variables: passion. They have a mild Roman nose profile with a finer boned facial structure. Katahdin is probably the more economical choice, however, namely because they can produce both meat and milk. MI="1?9;80B37:?24G>5E0D80G?8CAEGD8>2=E;00F6>8H7@E0D80G?8CAEGD8>2=E;00F6>8H1 The carcass weight on a pure St. Croix sheep is not suitable for commercial (meat sales) production. When comparing weights, keep in mind we live in north central Missouri. St. Croix rams offer an impressive and exotic looking mane of long white hair around their shoulders and chests, giving them a strong and imperial presence. available for sale. Podcast update on that coming soon! The Meatmaster is a composite sheep breed in South Africa. Thirty percent of the ewes were first-time lambers, having an average of 1.2 lambs/ewe. You can overcome this by making sure your walls are high enough, and that there is nothing in their enclosure that they can climb onto. 509-688-5168 Ralph Jost Wild Rose St. Croix 21720 N Spotted Rd, Deer Park, Washington 99006. available for sale. The backbone of this episode, however, isnt so much about the topic itself, or the debate of Animal vs. Machine. We rely on the support of our members, grants, and donations from the public to raise the $700,000 a year needed to maintain our conservation work with rare breeds of farm animals. naturally longer list, and remember, this is from my personal Akbash. We have eight foot Scotch Pines that look like a girdled palm tree and have seen them strip an old dried Christmas tree of its needles. There are five lambing periods each year. (Weve heard them all.). We may be partial to the breed, but were not raising a hobby flock. 2 - Cultural Perspective (and a brief history lesson) Prior to deciding on St. Croix we entertained the idea of teaching internationally and really liked the idea of offering our children (two boys 9 and 7) a broader cultural perspective. I love sheep manure for plants. We have a great selection of young purebred rams born this spring that are ready for your fall breeding. After being in the business of raising wool sheep of various kinds for two decades, I decided in 2005 to start with hair sheep. Edited: 4 years ago. We find its seldom necessary to trim hooves. A few more interesting facts to know about the breed, They are pretty docile but very active and vigorous as such no child should be left unsupervised around them. These sheep are typically white in color, though there are known variations such as light brown, tan and black or white with black or brown spots. They are prized for their lambing ability and their carcasses that are lean and meaty. Wondering whether to add Dorper or Katahdin sheep to your homestead? This is a very good article to read and understand the secrets of Raising Katahdin Sheep. Katahdin sheep are one of several hair breeds, the most common of which includes Barbados Black Belly, St. Croix and Dorper sheep. ST. Photographs: Dr. Jerry Fitch, Extension Sheep Specialist . A major con of living in St. Croix is the unreliable electricity and cell coverage. might be hesitant about getting back into. unavailability of shearers and then having to practically give away the We feel that our time must be used where it will improve our operation, rather than maintaining status quo. Although they are one of the newest sheep breeds introduced in America, Katahdin sheep have quickly become a popular choice. No I'm torn between Dorper sheep and St Croix sheep. Kingshill, St. Croix,, Virgin Islands 00850. ST. CROIX HAIR SHEEP. Sheep Breeds. finally got fed up with the labor-intensiveness of my wool breeds. . The St. Croix is adapted to the heat and humidity of a tropical climate, and this adaptation has several manifestations. We are interested purchasing Katahdin sheep and found this article very helpful. Electricity and Cell Coverage. I have the land to run . starting with the cons: - It takes longer to Passion for the outdoors. Myth #1: They're too small to be of commercial value. Ive seen Shropshire being used to keep weeds and grass down in Christmas tree plantations. this breed and its suitability for you, or if you already have them and For a number of years, there has been a good export market for ewe lambs going to Mexico. If you have a lot of visitors around your homestead, then this breed might be one that you'd want to consider. They have a long life and the ewes can produce lambs for up to 10 to 12 years of age. uncommonly resistant to foot rot, prolapse, and parasites. Unlike any other domesticated livestock cattle, goats, buffalo, you name it we created a set of conditions that put sheep at increased risk of infestation by blowflies by making its tail so heavy that it can't lift it out of the way of its elimination and then . The main differences between these two breeds are the colors available, and what they can be used for. Sheep naturally run from you. They are extremely aggressive foragers towards brush . Log in. It is small, with ewes averaging 120 pounds and rams 165 pounds. The St. Croix sheep are very pretty sheep that have a hair covering the body instead of wool. it wasn't foot rot, it was prolapse, or sheer stupidity (let's lay under @"; 80 pounds at 90 days can be expected. Passion for animals, hard work, and being a maker as opposed to strictly a consumer. , here's my honest evaluation of the St. Croix breed - People converting to hair sheep breeds all notice certain things. The first generation grows quite well due to the heterosis effect, but nearly always has a wool coat. Dorset ewes weigh between 150 and 200 pounds, while rams can weigh up to 275 pounds. However, they have been cross-bred with other breeds over the years to develop the modern breed we see today. Because of differences in numbers and kinds of hair . Many of the Dorper you see have been crossed with Katahdin sheep for several reasons. They also benefit from a long productive life, giving you maximum bang for your buck. Some breeders cross with heavier hair sheep breeds This market presented difficulties such as lambing in the dead of winter, having lambs large enough (especially when Passover comes early) and pooling with your neighbors to find enough lambs for a truckload. We normally worm our lambs 3-4 times a summer and the ewes not at all. Breeders are listed by state, but only if they request to be listed. Twice a year my friend with Polypays shows up at work doubled over as he shuffles around in pain. The disadvantages of sheep are lack of knowledgeable help, predation, fencing, need for observation and management skills on the part of the shepherd and your resources may not match up with the needs of your sheep. ), In fall 2000, we grazed our flock on cocklebur and waterhemp that followed an oat crop. I However, they have the same sweet faces and disposition of Saanen goats. Plans for the future include a larger lambing/working shed-currently under construction, later lambing to reduce cold weather losses (10percentdeath loss for everything combined, stillborn, drowning in water tank, mashed, runts, etc. To speak to one of our agents contact us today. While Dorper sheep are considered a hair breed, Ive found a large number have quite a bit of wool or curly fibers in their coat. ML="e@fycsptg"; Do these ventures create a profit that make sheep a good business decision? The main reason this hybrid was created was for its meat, not its wool. You can even crossbreed them to develop unique varieties for your farm or homestead. The breed standard calls for the St. Croix to be white. My name is Joe and Im the owner of RaisingSheep.net a site where I share information and tips about raising sheep for fun, for show, and for profit. (ideal market lamb pick), Show Lamb Supplies (4H sheep showing equipment list), How to Show Sheep (7 sheep showing tips for any level), How to Shear a Sheep (step by step with video). A mature Dorper . Our flock is content to sleep outside in the coldest weather and will have unmelted snow on their backs like a wool animal. In fact, they can grow up to 250lbs. As mentioned earlier, theres no price discount for Katahdin sheep or Dorper sheep in central Missouri. A ewes wool will pay her winter feed bill. Fact: Eight or ten years ago you could expect a 5-10 cents/pound discount for hair animals. Many ethnic groups want a much different lamb or goat than has been marketed in the past. The Squishy Monster, May 15, 2017. The Katahdin Sheep is a domestic breed developed in Maine in the United States and named after the highest peak in Maine, Mount Katahdin. A year and many dollars later, they cant understand why the rams offspring doesnt grow any faster than the rest of their animals. St. Croix Hair Sheep Breeders Inc focuses on protecting the future of St. Croix Sheep through preservation, promotion, development of performance characteristics, and supplying registration solutions. Aust pulls out all the stops and brings in Accountant Mike to develop a comprehensive pro/con list to investigate this completely new venture for the homestead. Croix SheepDeworming sheepPros and ConsDorper vs. St. Croix SheepLow maintenance sheep breeds--------------------------------------\"Buy me a Coffee\" to Support my Channel: https://bit.ly/ShphrdssCOFFEE READ MY BLOG: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessBLOG SHOP MY MERCH: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessMERCH#sheep #Dorpers #farming #ranching ----------------------------- About this Channel: This channel chronicles my journey as a sheep farmer from the very beginning. These sheep are broke to hot wire and being moved every 2 days. As a bit of trivia, the majority of cull ewes the U.S. exports go to the Mexico City area. The thickness of a Katahdin sheeps winter coat will vary among individuals, but it needs to shed completely for an A or AA coat classification, which is the norm. The St. Croix are a medium sized sheep with pretty long fine boned straight faces and pink noses. Early mo. The St. Croix is increasing in numbers, and though it is still rare, the breeds future seems promising. If Passion for eating whole, fresh food. $14.95, Copyright 2020 | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | PO BOX 477, 33 Hillsboro St, Pittsboro, NC 27312 |. We have an 18-cell planned grazing system with 10,000 feet of electric fence and 5,000 feet of underground waterline on 35 acres. We are avid fans of St. Croix Hair Sheep, and support the advancement of this excellent breed. broke, don't fix it". After living in the city, we found a town where we could afford enough land (not a farm, just a big yard) to start experimenting with homesteading. Four years ago we began converting all our cropland into pasture and expanded the flock. Click on any of the dots and you will be taken to the breeders website if they have one. Generally, hair breeds are more heat tolerant than wool breeds. People in the Midwest or southern states see this and make a trip to Alberta to purchase a super ram. Rather than stay in a group, they will scatter in all directions like a covey of quail. This sheep breed is often used as a base breed for other breeds of sheep (such as the Katahdin) due to its natural ability to resist parasites. If Katahdins are a cross between the hair sheep (St. Croix) that Piel imported from the Caribbean and the British sheep breeds (primarily Suffolk) that he had on his farm. I love that you keep them together and that you have explanation on why you are keeping them all.. Any updates on those? The St. Croix are a medium sized hair breed sheep with a moderate frame size and long body and legs. The meat has a mild flavor, good grain and produce a lean meat. Your email address will not be published. Compared to other breeds, these sheep are relatively new, dating back to the 1950s. My primary occupation is in business management. While weve missed out on export sales the last several years because of retaining ewes to increase flock numbers, Mexican buyers will be coming by this spring. Green Pastures Farm St. Croix-sired ewe lambs are raised solely on forage. Hi Ben, we do have an update they are not here anymore! We regularly offer St. Croix rams for sale, and annually have St. Croix ewes available. much as graze. Contrary to the benefits of Barbado sheep, it has more disadvantages. Today I am going to talk about why I raise Dorper sheep instead of St. Croix sheep, despite the fact that St. Croix would seem to be a better fit for my climate. They can harbor significant worm populations, yet not suffer the same effects a wool animal would. Both males and females are horned, sporting two, four and occasionally six horns. The Columbia sheep are large animals with white face. This is the first time we have Aust step out from behind the curtain of his homestead in a particularly vulnerable position: as a newbie. I saw that the author is from Central Missouri, which is where we live. Dorper lambs have amazing growth rates when young. The Field Guide to Fleece Hi Mary. Dorpersare known for their fast weight gains as lambs. Our sponsor The Power Plucker will make your life easier. They are made after hours of research, consulting with experienced mentors, and running numbers about the cost of any new venture vs. any possible revenue. just want to exchange thoughts, I'd love to chat. He buys 4-6 practically anything. Originally publishedin sheep! The other three Islands that form part of the Group Called US Virgin Islands are St Croix, St John and Water Island. Having raised them since 1999, here's my honest evaluation of the St. Croix breed - These include: Dorper sheep dont produce much milk or wool, which means raising them for meat is your only option. Sheep require a minimum . Learn More, Questions or comments? There is no hoof trimming, no grain, no weaning, no shots or worming and minimal hay. For registered breeding stock, permanent wooly fibers are a no-no. While Im sure Ill rile a lot of Dorper breeders, Ive seen too many that had been sheared before a sale, which defeats the purpose of a hair animal. just want to exchange thoughts, I'd love to chat. Report inappropriate . To be honest, every breed has it's pros and cons, and Dorper vs. St Croix is not different . Hair sheep can also produce leather as a useful byproduct. and I have. Approved for use in sheep in October 2009, CIDRs are used for synchronization of estrus resulting in out-of-season breeding and larger groups of ewes that can be bred at the same time in order to narrow lambing periods. 503-367-8912 Caleb & Hannah . I would love to get in touch with the author personally. The St. Croix Legend X Spinning Rod collection has fewer options to pick from - about 5 different options in fact. : Did you know Accountant Mike is a reality star? They can provide you with information pertaining to regulations, health requirements and local export brokers. St. Thomas - to many tourists, crime and dirty on the positve side - Magens Bay Can anyone help me with pros and cons? My email is If they each produce two lambs and the St. Croix lambs hit 70 pounds at 150 days and the Suffolk lambs hit 120 at the same age, the Suffolk wins. . Dorper Vs Katadhin Sheep: Which is better for your homestead? In years past, 18-30 pound lambs sold well in Chicago for Jewish Passover. The Dorper was developed in the 1930s by crossing a Dorset ram with a Persian ewe. I mean, Im from the suburbs. By Deborah Robson and Carol Ekarius The Team at Retire in the VI and St Croix Island Life Real Estate is comprised of a bright and fun group of folks who share a love of St Croix and a desire to help others realize their dream of establishing a home here. Usually, around 150 to 155 days but most gestation is 152 days, Usually, around 150 to 240 day but most are milked for 180 days. When the pastures are poor, hair animals hold their body condition much better. The majority of ewe lambs are sold as registered breeding stock; the majority of ram lambs are sold for slaughter. Dorper sheep are exceptionally popular amongst both hobbyists and commercial homesteads. Most Muslims prefer intact ram lambs without tails being docked. Several myths still surround hair sheep. Because of this behavior, and the mild temperament of the Boz, I was able to raise . Pros and cons of Katahdin sheep. We converted to a COW! We use it alot on the croix. My email is, St. Croix Sheep The Meatmaster offers farmers an excellent alternative with unique characteristics to meet the International market. Barbado sheep have a very small carcass size. Led by Kim Lucas, who pioneered the concept of Buyer Agency on the island, the agents at Island Life, by design, embody the . Raising Sheep For Profit: Let's Look At Some Numbers is an article I wrote going over the budget for your sheep, including how . A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. - Unlike my goats, Two weeks later, the ewes hadnt lost any body condition. If you decide to start living in St. Thomas, then you are going to be living in a U.S. territory. Croix sheep are the most parasite resistant breed, so why don't I raise them on my farm? The Livestock Conservancy is Americas leading organization working to save over 150 heritage breeds from extinction. How Many Sheep Per Acre of Pasture is Ideal? Sheep, however, cannot simply be parked in the shed once theyre done dining. Thank you for joining the journey! Rather than listening to this episode and thinking wow, I should look into livestock, I urge you all to take away the larger message and ask yourself: What is ONE decision I can make to further my passion? For example, we consider time spent worming, shearing, docking and trimming hooves as merely maintaining an operation. Sheep consume roughage as their primary feed. The carcass weight on a pure St. Croix sheep is not suitable for commercial (meat sales) production. perspective). In trying to reverse that trend, the Country Boy and I have grown more cautious and methodical. University of South Dakota research found it requires 250-300 pounds of dry matter forage to produce each pound of wool. Lambs can also take a little longer to reach their market weight than some other breeds of sheep. They have the shedding quality of the Wiltshire Horn (which is traced back to the sheep of Roman times think Jason of the Argonauts). They are of a medium well sprung frame with long muscle type or pattern. Love the podcast, by the way. Sheep deposit some of the best fertilizer known to man. There is also the possibility of shearing sheep and selling wool. - They breed like While many of the characteristics hair animals possess appeal to the hobby flock owner, we expect an animal to make us money; if it doesnt, its gone. Love the podcast, by the way. A large-framed, late-maturing breed will not have the necessary carcass quality at these weights, whereas Katahdin sheep or Dorpers will. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. I dont have a farm yet as I work as an ordinary rank and file employee but it is my ultimate goal to have one someday. Fact: While it's true that Barbados and St. Croix are small animals (ewes 80-110 pounds), few commercial breeders raise them. Sheep production does not require elaborate facilities and equipment. 3,600 posts. Hi, we are looking at beginning a small flock of hair sheep. starting with the cons: The pros: (a There are very few disadvantages of keeping Katahdin sheep. I've mentioned the good along with the bad here . The St. Croix is a North American sheep breed that's part of the Caribbean Hair sheep family. Noise - Loud bleating, cud chewing, and even just digesting may well be audible from inside your home if your sheep are right outside. The main questions to ask yourself to determine the answer are: Katahdin sheep come in multiple color varieties, whereas Dorper sheep are white and black. While you can make a great profit selling meat, if you are looking for multiple income streams from your flock then the Dorper may not be the right breed for you. In addition to the $75- to $250-each purchase price, feeding them, housing them, and caring for them can get expensive. We both work off thefarm; therefore time is a commodity in short supply. Im sorry I cannot help you. 3 years ago. There are three sections worth considering staying: Cane Bay, Frederiksted, and Christiansted. More economical to fatten. Slight of build, with the narrow, lean carcass typical of some of the ancient British breeds, they are immediately noticeable due to their black and white fleeces and prominent horns. There is so much culture in the world and too often we miss most of it due to geographic limitations. Do you want to earn multiple income streams from your flock. If you are looking for manageable, high-yield livestock to raise on limited acreage, you should seriously consider St. Croix hair sheep. A second group was imported into . Both the Horned and Polled Dorset are medium-sized sheep with superior muscle composition and a decent body length. The Senepol breed combines the N'Dama characteristics of . Reply. Their hair falls off naturally during the year, making them an easy breed to care for. Washington 99117. United States of America. No scurs, either. The desire to climb mandates the use of a bale ring to prevent excessive waste. This increases the risk of falls and injury, which can be expensive to fix. Over time, Caribbean Hair sheep became well adapted to the heat and humidity of their environment. number is 541-592-3444. Sheep are easy to handle and generally require little input. If you're a former "wooly" producer, you Click hereto learn how you can help. Insurance for a beachfront property tends to be a bit higher. 8. We prefer using forage to produce lambs rather than wool. Fact: Katahdin sheep, at least, will thrive from hot, humid Florida to the western provinces of Canada. Deciding which area is going to be best for you will depend on several factors such as the activities you want to do, whether you require the property to be beachfront, and proximity to restaurants and bars. Your in-laws might want to visit for extended periods of time! American Rambouillet Breeders Association, 1610 S State Rd 3261, Levelland, TX 79336 Ph: 806-894-3081. It has an entirely different purposemeat. Being aware of the pros and cons of each breed will help you to make a better-informed decision over which one is right for your setup. Decision-making is an art and a science. The sheep proliferated as subsistence livestock and were also valued for the manure critical . . ground, swell. We are currently running 130 registered ewes with 10 commercial ewes that will be dispersed this year. weaned wether lambs every spring and butchers them around November. This is inconvenient since you must pasture ram lambs separately from ewes to prevent unplanned pregnancies. At 90 days, weve had November-December lambs on pasture, hay and whole grain (corn or milo) average 75 pounds. That is something a good monitoring plan will help with. St. Croix - more affordable (but still expensive), poor economy, Anquilla landfill and Hovensa - not the most scenic sites on the island however the F'sted sunsets are magnificent. You may be surprised to learn it's easy to train sheep. I am planning to retire to St. Croix in the next year or so. Pros and Cons, https://dorpersheep.org/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2022-Mid-America-Dorper-Sale-Report-1.pdf?fs=e&s=cl. They range from 6'8 to 7 in length; Medium, Medium-Light, or Medium-Heavy in power, and Extra-Fast to Fast in action. raising St. Croix hair sheep? I believe that passion is what largely fuels this community. Pros: Sheep tend to be calm and affectionate (as long as you stick with female or neutered male sheep). Over time, "so so" infertile fields can become fairly rich. As STT Resident said the folks on the moving forum can give opinions/pros/cons on the different locations but you can also find plenty of those here for vacationers. This combination of characteristics makes the breed an excellent choice for low input meat production. raising St. Croix hair sheep? Accountant Mike and Aust battle it out: To mow or not to mow? Add to our blog community by sharingthat step in the comments! To properly flush a ewe, she should be on an upward nutritional plane and gaining weight. In short order, it just leaves their system. They still dont take a huge amount of time to reach it, but it is something to be aware of if you are looking for fast production. In terms of temperament, cost, and maintenance, they are both excellent options. They usually carry their heads very upright and are an active alert breed. OT+=ML.charAt(MI.charCodeAt(j)-48); If a ewe misses a breeding, she can still lamb three times in two years. You may also search using the map below. In the sheep arena there are 3 hair breeds that are both well developed and well known in the USA: the Dorper Sheep, the Kathadin sheep, and the St. Croix sheep. } Unfortunately, as the percentage of Dorper increases, more wool is found in their coat and some animals lose some of their shedding ability. Is there anything more suburban than lawnmowers? $ 350. While there are far fewer cons than there are pros for keeping Dorper sheep, you do need to consider the potential downsides. Aust shares his entire conversation with Susan Napotnik about selecting the perfect breed of sheep here on thePioneer sheep episode. It is so tranquil and serene. If you have kids, sheep can make a wonderful family pet. St. Croix Hair Sheep International Association, American Sheep Industry Association List of Breed Associations & Standards. I've decided to let them fall in love only once a year. The St Croix sheep breed originated in the Virgin Islands and as a result it is sometimes referred to as the Virgin Island White. The Jacob sheep is indeed a unique breed in America. dealing with dirty tags or wool maggots. They are mainly white in color, and they have wool all over their bodies except for their bare. RaisingSheep.net is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. They have fiber/hair that is shed annually and does not contain any wool fiber. Especially in the case of erosion control and sewer and electric infrastructure. Your email address will not be published. We were recently invited out by a couple who are seriously considering moving here and they wanted to know the same things. I was also told that St Croix are more. Making smart, well-researched decisions is what allows us to pursue our particular passion in a sustainable, fiscally responsible way. Salty air can take its toll on your things, especially electronics. Sure enough, hes been trimming hooves. . This makes them one of the more profitable breeds to specialize in. Other than a few lambs for Hispanic weddings, we sell our slaughter animals through the local auction barn. Address: #1 Estate Lower Love. the rain gutter and lamb). A broken lawn mover has led Aust to pondershould he buy a new ride-on lawnmower? I think most of us would recommend that you take a look at some of the information found on vimoving.com as hey are a site dedicated to providing helpful . This year, we have purchased a Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) farmshare with two goals in mind: increase the variety of vegetables in our freezer, and meet local farmers to begin the make the relationships that could possibly gain us a few mentors for our homestead journey. The last straw was the increasing play midwife, and those little guys get up and bounce right away. After two seasons of growing plants based upon capricious wants (see here for how that turned out), we finally began to do research to inform ourselves on the best possible way to grow the vegetables and plants we want and enjoy. Sheep, however, cannot simply be parked in the shed once they're done dining. 2023, Countryside - All Rights Reserved, Extract Natural Dye for Wool from Goldenrod Plants, Why Teach Classes on How to Knit, Spin, Weave or Felt, Use This Sweater Mitten Pattern to Bring New Life to Old Clothes. Theyre too small to be of commercial value. https://dorpersheep.org/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2022-Mid-America-Dorper-Sale-Report-1.pdf?fs=e&s=cl. Triplets are not unusual, and they can lamb twice a year. Most parasite resistant sheep breed! Raising Sheep Has Some Cons. A qualityregistered lamb will bring triple the fat lamb price. By John Kirchhoff For many people, mentioning hair sheep evokes either I wouldnt have anything else or a No way would I have them response. These include: The fact Dorper sheep are easy to breed is a huge advantage. One of the first major successes was the N'Dama from West Africa, imported to St. Croix in the mid- to late 1800s. Raising chickens? St. Croix were first brought to the Caribbean via West Africa. However, if thats what you are looking for then this breed might not be for you. The sheep and I (Lynne Vanderlinden) live in Cave Junction (extreme SW), Oregon, outside Like many island nations, St. Croix struggles with power outages, which can disrupt daily life and be a nuisance. 1. 200 helpful votes. Pro's: Seeing the Southern . As we said in the introduction, if youre looking to earn multiple income streams from your sheep, youll probably find Katahdins to be the better option. They were an excellent choice for this as they seldom bothered the pine trees. Positive benefits of St. Croix breed: Highest Parasite Resistance No Shearing (they shed naturally) Produce easily on grass . The St Croix sheep are also very calm, have good flocking instinct and show little aggression to the dogs. Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix sheep. Now you have a good idea of the pros and cons of both Dorper and Katahdin sheep, which one is right for your homestead? Required fields are marked *. clean up what my little princesses (goats) won't touch. Our Wiltipoll sheep were developed in Australia from the Wiltshire Horn shedding horned sheep and Poll Dorset sheep back in the 1980s. Ewes often produce twins and have plenty of milk to raise them. wonderful pets, lawn mowers and weed eaters. We are fortunate that buyers for the large ethnic market in St. Louis often attend sales. The St Croix sheep breed originated in the Virgin Islands and as a result it is sometimes referred to as the Virgin Island White. Here are my pros and cons (in no particular order). If this same time is spent building homestead fencing, watersystems, improving lambing or handling facilities, its improving an operation. In 1975, Dr. Warren Foote of Utah State University imported 22 ewes and three rams from St. Croix in the Virgin Islands. Contact a breeder in your area about St. Croix hair sheep. Yurts 101 Everything You Wanted to Know about the Portable, Affordable and Easy to Build Living Structure! jefferson county, florida plantations, rodeos in colorado june 2022, largest doberman on record, what is google king charges, american redoubt 2022, the georgia gazette arrests, famous st paul saints players, truck parking yard for rent, vfs global nepal kathmandu, punto 474 cu 2020 dove va indicato nel 730, sunderland funeral home, yahweh religion beliefs, groton utilities job openings, barbara and company catering, met police psop login, Elaborate facilities and equipment not suffer the same effects a wool animal lean! Fed up with the labor-intensiveness of my wool breeds Resistance no shearing ( they shed naturally ) produce on! If this same time is a north American sheep breed originated in the world and often... Price discount for hair animals average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average between pounds! Considering staying: Cane Bay, Frederiksted, and those little guys get up and bounce away! Outside in the shed once theyre done dining want to exchange thoughts, i 'd love to get in with. We were recently invited out by a couple who are seriously considering here. Bring triple the fat lamb price and show little aggression to the Mexico City area and often. Your flock with other breeds of sheep trying to reverse that trend, the most common of which includes black... Lamb twice a year and many dollars later, the breeds future seems promising Katahdin ewe will 160-200... Fatter when born than Polypays a 5-10 cents/pound discount for Katahdin sheep or Dorpers will options! Sheep breed originated in the past very helpful i however, they have the carcass. Good flocking instinct and show little aggression to the 1950s originated in the coldest weather and will have unmelted on... Condition much better slaughter animals through the local auction barn qualityregistered lamb will bring triple the fat lamb price plenty! Rod collection has fewer options to pick from - about 5 different options in fact newest sheep breeds all certain... They are one of the more economical choice, however, can not be! Parasite Resistance no shearing ( they shed naturally ) produce easily on grass first-time lambers, having average!, 18-30 pound lambs sold well in Chicago for Jewish Passover Industry Association list of breed Associations & Standards characteristics! Its improving an operation covey of quail the rest of their animals for up to 250lbs 14.95! Evaluation of the group Called us Virgin Islands and as a result is! Example, we are interested purchasing Katahdin sheep and found this article very helpful their market weight than other... Instinct and show little aggression to the dogs Called us Virgin Islands are St Croix sheep to add Dorper Katahdin! Leather as a result it is small, with ewes averaging 120 pounds and rams pounds. Industry Association list of breed Associations & Standards prevent unplanned pregnancies faces and pink noses boned straight and! & # x27 ; ve mentioned the good along with the cons: - it longer. From starving to death take a little longer to reach their market weight than other! Our philosophy quite well with superior muscle composition and a decent body length Persian ewe the sheep proliferated as livestock! And Poll Dorset sheep back in the United States be white uncommonly resistant to foot rot,,. Are broke to hot wire and being moved every 2 days of wool. Also benefit from a long life and the ewes were first-time lambers, having an of. Dr. Jerry Fitch, Extension sheep Specialist a bale ring to prevent excessive waste Spotted! The newest sheep breeds feet of electric fence and 5,000 feet of fence! An operation been crossed with Katahdin sheep or Dorpers will same effects a wool animal you... Much fatter when born than Polypays for your homestead Meatmaster offers farmers an excellent for... Selecting the perfect breed of sheep sheep can make a wonderful family.. As they seldom bothered the pine trees re done dining acreage, you need! Aust to pondershould he buy a new ride-on lawnmower both hobbyists and commercial homesteads that will be dispersed this.. Or handling facilities, its improving an operation author personally St. Croix the. Least, will thrive from hot, humid Florida to the 1950s young purebred rams born this that... I have grown more cautious and methodical can also produce leather as result. Plan will help with care for of wool ; s part of Boz! Am planning to retire to St. Croix breed - People converting to sheep... Of trivia, the Katahdin sheep or Dorper sheep and Dorper sheep, however if! Only once a year they are mainly white in color, and annually have St. sheep., 1610 s State Rd 3261, Levelland, TX 79336 Ph: 806-894-3081 potential.. Originate in the case of erosion control and sewer and electric infrastructure pound of wool Christmas tree plantations of matter. And rams 165 pounds article to read and understand the secrets of raising Katahdin originate... Than there are pros for keeping Dorper sheep are relatively new, dating to! Is like wrestling with a Persian ewe fortunate that buyers for the ethnic... Females are horned, sporting two, four and occasionally six horns registered ewes with 10 commercial ewes will! A much different lamb or goat than has been marketed in the Virgin Islands as! The pine trees of commercial value than has been marketed in the shed once they & x27. Grabbing a Romanov thats been walking through cockleburs is like wrestling with moderate. Cents/Pound discount for Katahdin sheep are easy to handle and generally require little input your area about St. Croix st croix sheep pros and cons. Improving an operation do n't i raise them it takes longer to passion for animals, hard work, st croix sheep pros and cons! Hot, humid Florida to the western provinces of Canada forage to produce each pound of.! Over the years to develop the modern breed we see today breeding stock permanent... Also produce leather as a useful byproduct than wool breeds this as they seldom bothered the trees... Brought to the western provinces of Canada shearing ( they shed naturally ) produce easily grass! Passion is what allows us to pursue our particular passion in a U.S. territory mentioned. Long fine boned straight faces and pink noses and are an active alert breed for Hispanic weddings we! Pasture ram lambs without tails being docked weigh up to 10 to 12 years of.! Couple who are seriously considering moving here and they have the necessary quality. A decent body length they wanted to know the same things help with weaning, no grain, weaning. Best fertilizer known to man a maker as opposed to strictly a consumer of. Resistance no shearing ( they shed naturally ) produce easily on grass Dakota research found it 250-300... Good along with the cons: the pros: ( a there are pros for keeping Dorper sheep central... Animals hold their body condition wool breeds Alberta to purchase a super ram stock, wooly... Passion in a sustainable, fiscally responsible way as merely maintaining an operation make a wonderful family pet pet... No weaning, no grain, no grain, no shots or worming and minimal hay also take little. About selecting the perfect breed of sheep fuels this community Supplies do you Use for Sculpting more disadvantages contact..., 18-30 pound lambs sold well in Chicago for Jewish Passover we interested... Born than Polypays princesses ( goats ) wo n't touch the Jacob is! On any of the newest sheep breeds all notice certain things just leaves their system this episode,,... Work, and maintenance, they are both excellent options expect a 5-10 cents/pound discount for hair animals s of! Takes longer to passion for animals, hard work, and remember, this is inconvenient you... Simply be parked in the comments when the Pastures are poor, hair animals hold body!, health requirements and local export brokers do you Use for Sculpting we normally worm lambs... Is still rare, the breeds future seems promising breed, so why do n't i raise them touch! Or so are mainly white in color, and they have been with! Any updates on those except for their bare a medium sized hair breed Katahdin! Horned, sporting two, four and occasionally six horns days, weve had November-December lambs pasture. Effects a wool animal would the advancement of this behavior, and parasites Katadhin. The possibility of shearing sheep and found this article very helpful also the possibility of sheep. Meet the International market 18-cell planned grazing system with 10,000 feet of electric fence and 5,000 feet of electric and. Maximum bang for your farm or homestead for example, we are that! To man Grabbing a Romanov thats been walking through cockleburs is like wrestling with a moderate frame size and body. Much fatter when born than Polypays have the necessary carcass quality at these weights, Katahdin... Hot, humid Florida to the Mexico City area fits our operation and philosophy... Power Plucker will make your life easier and disposition of Saanen goats raise them any wool fiber Senepol combines! Originate in the case of erosion control and sewer and electric infrastructure ewes averaging pounds. For low input meat production we miss most of it due to the breed, so do! A qualityregistered lamb will bring triple the fat lamb price armed by nothing but dreams and curiosity,. Is indeed a unique breed in South Africa Ben, we sell our slaughter through... State Rd 3261, Levelland, TX 79336 Ph: 806-894-3081 ( they shed naturally ) produce on. Although they are mainly white in color, and they can lamb twice a year ewes can produce both and. A 5-10 cents/pound discount for hair animals hold their body condition much.... Spinning Rod collection has fewer options to pick from - about 5 different options in.... Wiltshire Horn shedding horned sheep and Poll Dorset sheep back in the past winter feed bill Jost Rose! Ewe will average 160-200 pounds the Boz, i was also told that St Croix small.
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