Katahdin Hair Sheep: The Easy Meat Producer
Developed right here in the USA (Maine, to be precise), the Katahdin is a testament to practical, purposeful breeding. Named after Mount Katahdin, this breed was specifically created to be a hardy, adaptable meat sheep that sheds its winter coat naturally, eliminating the need for shearing.
Appearance & Size: Katahdins are medium-sized sheep, typically weighing 120-160 pounds. They have a smooth hair coat in the summer, growing a thicker, mixed coat for winter which then sheds out completely. They come in a variety of colors.
Temperament: We find Katahdins to be exceptionally friendly and docile sheep. They enjoy interaction and are often eager for a good scratch. Their love for grain is notable – they can get quite enthusiastic and even a bit pushy when the grain bucket appears!
Care & Use: Katahdins are prized for their natural resistance to internal parasites, making them well-suited for pasture-based management, especially in warmer, humid climates. They are excellent mothers, typically producing twins or triplets with ease and demonstrating strong flocking instincts. Their primary purpose is meat production, offering well-muscled carcasses without the work of shearing. They are a cornerstone of practical, low-input sheep farming.