Our flock of Katahdin sheep enjoying late summer pasture in preparation for breeding. Many of our Katahdin ewes have EBVs as part of the National Sheep Improvement Program.
We began our Katahdin Sheep herd with non-registered sheep but have added registered Katahdin ewes to our farm. We will be lambing 37 ewes for our 2021 lambing season. We will have 30 proven ewes bred and will be exposing 7 of our best 2020 ewe lambs. Currently 60% of our flock are registered and we are working to transition to a completely registered flock. Our flock is managed through pasture rotation from April until late December. Our paddocks are grazed for 5-7 days followed by 25-34 days of rest to allow regrowth of forages. If you are seeking Katahdin sheep for a pasture based system, then our stock would be a great choice. Our flock is maintained on hay and grain from January-March. We begin supplementing our ewes with grain 6 weeks prior to lambing and continue that process one week prior to weaning. Our ewes are fed a wheat midd pellet during that time frame. Our lambs are weaned at an average age of 60 days. At weaning they will remain on pasture rotation with access to creep feed until the group age averages 120 days. They are then sorted by sex and breeding stock is selected. All lambs that fail to meet the quality of breeding stock are taken to our local livestock auction. We sell both registered and non-registered Katahdin ewe and ram lambs.
One of our Katahdin ewes raising triplets.
Joining National Sheep Improvement Program(NSIP) and the Eastern Alliance for Production of Katahdins is a long term commitment we made to advance the genetic merit of our flock. We have greatly increased our recorded data to help insure the best breeding stock in being retained. We are focusing our breeding on maternal traits, growth rates, and increasing our lamb weaned percentage. Every animal in our breeding program is enrolled and active in NSIP. This program provides us with critical data in assessing lamb for breeding purposes. We plan to incorporate Fecal Egg Count data with our 2021 lamb crop to assess for parasite resistance.
Please visit our Sheep for Sale page to inquire about available sheep and fill out the contact us form. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to share our genetics with other Katahdin breeders. Our Katahdin sheep are a great option if you are looking for rams, replacement ewes, or starting your herd. We are always open to visitors on the farm and enjoy discussing Katadhin with new breeders and experienced breeders as their are always opportunities to learn new things involving sheep.
Click Here: Mad-Kettle Farm Sheep for Sale
Please visit our Sheep for Sale page to inquire about available sheep and fill out the contact us form. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to share our genetics with other Katahdin breeders. Our Katahdin sheep are a great option if you are looking for rams, replacement ewes, or starting your herd. We are always open to visitors on the farm and enjoy discussing Katadhin with new breeders and experienced breeders as their are always opportunities to learn new things involving sheep.
Click Here: Mad-Kettle Farm Sheep for Sale
Our Current Registered Ram(s)
Fred, MZN 19279
Our new ram brings some big time growth rates. We are excited about the growth potential of his offspring.
MZN 19279, was bred at Glenbrook Farm by Matt Nolt. Fred is unrelated to our flock and will be exposed to a majority of our ewes this fall. He is a well balanced ram with tremendous growth EBVs and strong maternal traits. Fred truly looks the part of a stud ram. He is thick all over and we are looking forward to seeing his offspring.
NSIP Data:
NSIP Data:
- Birth Weight: 0.32
- Weaning Weight: 3.56
- Post Weaning Weight: 7.629
- Maternal Weaning Weight: 0.65
- Post Weaning Fecal Egg Count: N/A
- Number of Lambs Born: 0.18
- Number of Lambs Weaned: 0.13
- Hair Index: 107.13
Barney, WRI 20065
Our newest herd sire is from Rolling Spring Farm in Southwest Virginia.
WRI 20065, was bred at Rolling Spring Farm by Lee Wright. Barney was exposed to 17 of our ewes this fall. WRI 20065 is a well balanced with solid EBVs for growth and maternal traits. This young rams development has been fantastic and is starting to show his meaty build. We are excited about adding his genetic line into our flock.
NSIP Data
NSIP Data
- Birth Weight: 0.35
- Weaning Weight: 2.57
- Post Weaning Weight: 4.05
- Maternal Weaning Weight: .74
- Post Weaning Fecal Egg Count: -43.04
- Number of Lambs Born: 0.12
- Number of Lambs Weaned: 0.14
- Hair Index: 107.82
