Registered Katahdins

Katahdin sheep are a hair sheep that Michael Piel developed in Maine by crossing Wiltshire Horn, Suffolk, and Saint Croix in the 1970s.  They are named after Mount Katahdin, the highest peak in Maine.  The purpose of the breed is to efficiently produce meat.  Katahdin lambs grow rapidly to an acceptable market weight with heavy muscled, relatively lean carcass, and will have a mild flavor.  Katahdins have demonstrated hardiness and adaptability performing well in hot and cold climates with diverse feed, forage and management systems.

Why did we choose Katahdins?

• No shearing!  Katahdins do not have traditional wool.  They do grow a winter wool coat, but they completely shed in the summer.  
• No tail docking.  Because Katahdins completely shed their wool coats, there is no reason to dock the tails.  In fact, it is against the breed standards.
• Natural parasite resistance/tolerance.
• Excellent maternal traits.  Katahdins are fertile, prolific, easy lambers, exceptional mothers, good milkers, yeilding a high percentage of lambs born and heavy litter weights at weaning. 
• Katahdins are docile and easy to handle.