We chose to raise Katahdin sheep because we wanted a sheep breed that was easy to take care of and did not require shearing.  What we found in the Katahdin sheep was exactly what we were looking for.  They're extremely hardy, easy to keep, and possess a heavily muscled/medium sized body. 

 

The Katahdin is a hair sheep breed, which means instead of having a wool fleece which needs to be sheared off it has instead a heavy outer coat of hair that protects them in the cold months.  During the warm months this outer coat sheds and reveals a short smooth hair coat.  This short hair coat allows the Katahdin to adapt and tolerate heat and humidity better than most other breeds.

Generally Katahdin ewes are easy lambers and require no assistance with lambing.  They possess a strong protective maternal instinct and produce sufficient milk to raise twins or triplets.  The Katahdin mother usually doesn't reject any of her lambs, however, like all other breeds, it is possible. 

 

One of my ewes who was a first time mother had triplets.  Two of the lambs were white and one was black and white.  The mother was very protective of the two white lambs, however, the black and white lamb was rejected and this became my first
experience with bottle feeding a lamb.  Proud to say the lamb, who we named Ginger,
has grown to be a beautiful ewe and a great asset to our flock.

Life Span: Generally 7 to 12 years.

 

Day Dream Acres
Joe and Sue Clinton
2310 Armstrong Road
Linden, TN  37096
931-589-9592    (fax and phone)
ddaclinton@earthlink.net