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Katahdin Sheep Breed Information

The Katahdin sheep breed originated from crossing the Wiltshire Horn, Suffolk and St. Croix breeds of sheep. The Katahdin sheep breed was developed in Maine and is named after the mountain in Maine where Michael Piel created the breed, the highest peak in the state. The Katahdin hair sheep was the primary breed in North America to reach standards of the sheep industry in terms of carcass quality. They are easy to take care of and farmers appreciate the low maintenance nature of this popular meat breed. The Katahdin sheep breed is highly adaptable to a variety of climates and conditions, as is the case with many hair sheep. A unique fact about Katahdin sheep is that the breed has the ability to naturally resist internal parasites - a desirable trait which not only improves the overall health of flocks of sheep, but also can significantly reduce costs for shepherds. This trait also makes the Katahdin an excellent choice for farmers hoping to produce organic lamb on their farms - a challenge with the prevalence of parasites in sheep and a key reason why the St. Croix breed was crossed in to develop the Katahdin hair sheep breed. Today the Katahdin sheep breed has emerged as one of the most prevalent sheep breeds in the United States.

Katahdin Sheep Information

MATURE BODY WEIGHT
Ram 175-250 lb.
Ewe 120-160 lb.

Video About Katahdin Hair Sheep

Learn about Katahdin Sheep - a popular sheep breed on one farm in South Georgia.

Katahdin Ram, "Banjo" - photo courtesy of Foxmoor Farm