The Katahdins
Katahdin hair sheep · Delaware
Full disclosure: we're brand new to sheep. Katahdins are our first flock, so we're still learning the breed and getting to know their personalities — one quiet afternoon at a time. We've had one lamb so far, and we're hoping for more soon. From the little ones out in the pasture to the whole crew loitering outside the barn, they've got different coats and different faces and one thing in common: they're farmily now, here in The First State. Why sheep? Because this property is best suited for them — and because my husband finally picked an animal he actually likes, which is saying something for a man who doesn't like most animals.
A little about Katahdin sheep
Katahdins are a hair sheep breed developed in Maine. Their shedding coats are a big part of what makes them different from wool breeds. Here are a few answers to the questions people often have about them.
Do Katahdin sheep need shearing?
Generally, no. Katahdins grow a hair coat with a seasonal undercoat that sheds naturally. The amount of fiber and how completely it sheds can vary from sheep to sheep, but routine shearing usually isn’t needed. Less shearing does not mean no chores, unfortunately.
Where did Katahdin sheep come from?
Michael Piel began developing the breed in Maine in the 1950s, crossing hair sheep from St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands with other sheep, including Suffolk. He named the breed after Mount Katahdin.
Do Katahdin sheep have horns?
Most Katahdins are polled, which means naturally hornless, although horned sheep can occur. Their coats also come in different colors and patterns, including white, brown, and patches of both.
What are Katahdin sheep raised for?
As a breed, Katahdins were developed primarily for meat production rather than a conventional wool harvest. That is a general breed fact, not a description of what every farm does with its sheep.
Are Katahdins easy to care for?
Their shedding coats can simplify one part of sheep care, and the breed is known for hardiness. But they still need suitable feed and pasture, clean water, secure fencing, shelter, and regular attention to their health and hooves.
Katahdins can be relatively tolerant of internal parasites, but that does not make them parasite-proof. Individual sheep and local conditions differ. A veterinarian or local Extension service can help with a flock-specific health and parasite-monitoring plan.