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big brown horse
Hoof In Mouth
Thanks for sharing Bee. You mean they won't have to eat considerable amounts of alfalfa while lactating?Beekissed said:Katahdins are quickly becoming known as a dual purpose breed of sheep also, as they are very "milky". Of course, no quality wool to speak of but this is a plus to some folks, as they won't need shearing. Nice meaty frames and quick growing lambs due to the high milk production.
Katahdins are very heavy milkers for a meat breed, easy lambing capabilities, no seasonal only breeding times and known for multiple births. Parasite resistant, cold and heat hardy, like to browse as well as graze, low winter feed consumption and milk just fine on good quality legume hay and graze.
This is good news as I have a Katahdin ewe too!
The lady that is selling me my E. Friesian cross was the first person to introduce dairy sheep to the state of WA. That was only 12 years ago!! It was only 5 years ago that a couple of commercial sheep dairies sprouted up.
How did you find that out about the Kats? I am running into brick walls when it comes to finding info on dairy sheep or milking sheep in general. :/
My biggest question is does their milk differ much from breed to breed other than the amounts? Is there a huge taste difference between sheep breeds? If not why am I struggling to get an all dairy cross herd?
I brought up the fact that my border cheviot was a dual breed known for milk etc. and I got shot down over "there" for even thinking of milking her. :/ It is so frustrating. (Eta: also I got zinged for saying she had useable wool that is well known for its "hand spinning" qualities.)