Yellow Wolf Farm
Harmony, NC
(336)709-6541
Harmony, NC
(336)709-6541
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Dorper & Katahdin Sheep
We raise Katahdin and Dorper cross sheep for several reasons. First, the meat is gourmet quality. Unlike the meat from wool sheep which can be gamey, meat from hair sheep breeds is mild and sweet and very tender. Plus we really like the breeds. They are good moms and have calm dispositions and are easily handled.
Top Left-this is what we breed for. This is a 5 month old EWE lamb, raised entirely on mom's milk and grass.
Top Right- 5 month old ram lamb and his percentage Dorper mom.
Bottom Left- part of the flock on pasture-ewes and yearling ewes.
Bottom Right- 5 month old percentage Dorper ram lamb raised entirely on mom's milk and grass.
The Breeds-although we started with Katahdins, we will now be breeding percentage and full blooded White Dorpers. Dorpers are stockier, meatier and wider. They are a heavier sheep and they produce a larger ribeye area and have a better dressing percentage then Katahdins. Dorpers also grow and finish much faster then Katahdins.
What We Breed For- We breed for sheep that can thrive on pasture-and that is all. We do not want sheep that have to be continually medicated and fed in order to survive and grow. We cull heavily for sheep that are resistant to parasites and sheep that have good feet. Ewes must be excellent moms-they must lamb on pasture unassisted and bond with their lambs unassisted. We never lock up our sheep and lambs so that they can bond. If this instinct is not in the genes, then that sheep does not need to reproduce!
Management- Sheep are always on pasture 352 days of the year. They have trees for shelter in the summer and access to an open fronted barn in the winter. When the grass is gone, they are given free choice, high quality hay. Brood ewes are given corn and cotton seed meal from the last 6 weeks of gestation through the first 4-6 weeks of lactation depending on their nutritional needs , weather/season and the availability of pasture. Once the pasture is back in, none of the sheep are fed at all. We rotate pastures to make best use of the forage and to break up the parasite cycles. We NEVER give antibiotics or feed any kind of medicated feed.
Sheep are worked every other month and we check eyelids using the FAMACHA method. Only sheep that show signs of anemia are dewormed. Sheep that continually show that they need deworming will be culled. We normally have to deworm no more then twice a year. Hooves are trimmed and records are kept on which sheep are having foot probelms. Sheep that are continually noted to have foot problems are culled as well.
Records are kept on how any lambs ewes have, weight of lambs at birth and weight of lambs at weaning. Lambs should reach a target weight of 100-120 lbs by 8 months.
Top Left-this is what we breed for. This is a 5 month old EWE lamb, raised entirely on mom's milk and grass.
Top Right- 5 month old ram lamb and his percentage Dorper mom.
Bottom Left- part of the flock on pasture-ewes and yearling ewes.
Bottom Right- 5 month old percentage Dorper ram lamb raised entirely on mom's milk and grass.
The Breeds-although we started with Katahdins, we will now be breeding percentage and full blooded White Dorpers. Dorpers are stockier, meatier and wider. They are a heavier sheep and they produce a larger ribeye area and have a better dressing percentage then Katahdins. Dorpers also grow and finish much faster then Katahdins.
What We Breed For- We breed for sheep that can thrive on pasture-and that is all. We do not want sheep that have to be continually medicated and fed in order to survive and grow. We cull heavily for sheep that are resistant to parasites and sheep that have good feet. Ewes must be excellent moms-they must lamb on pasture unassisted and bond with their lambs unassisted. We never lock up our sheep and lambs so that they can bond. If this instinct is not in the genes, then that sheep does not need to reproduce!
Management- Sheep are always on pasture 352 days of the year. They have trees for shelter in the summer and access to an open fronted barn in the winter. When the grass is gone, they are given free choice, high quality hay. Brood ewes are given corn and cotton seed meal from the last 6 weeks of gestation through the first 4-6 weeks of lactation depending on their nutritional needs , weather/season and the availability of pasture. Once the pasture is back in, none of the sheep are fed at all. We rotate pastures to make best use of the forage and to break up the parasite cycles. We NEVER give antibiotics or feed any kind of medicated feed.
Sheep are worked every other month and we check eyelids using the FAMACHA method. Only sheep that show signs of anemia are dewormed. Sheep that continually show that they need deworming will be culled. We normally have to deworm no more then twice a year. Hooves are trimmed and records are kept on which sheep are having foot probelms. Sheep that are continually noted to have foot problems are culled as well.
Records are kept on how any lambs ewes have, weight of lambs at birth and weight of lambs at weaning. Lambs should reach a target weight of 100-120 lbs by 8 months.
