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Ewe Lambs for Sale: For 2009 we over wintered 105 ewes and our plan was to breed the top 20% to a Katahdin ram. The other 80% of our ewes were to be bred to a "woolly" ram for our retail meat market. Unfortunately, we screwed up this year! We did not separate our rams as early in July as we usually do, as we had a severe heat wave and figured they would not breed. Surprise - of course, some of our best ewes bred. Therefore we only have twelve registered ewe lambs available for sale as breeding stock this year. (We don't know who "dad" is on the others.) The ram we used this year for most of our breeding, was "Packy" an RR from Mark Dennis - an excellent Katahdin breeder in Louisiana. Mr. Dennis has selected for years for fast growth, and larger size (You can see a picture of this ram on our ram lambs for sale page). We also used one of Packy's sons for breeding some of the ewes. This boy is out of our all time most prolific ewe and one who has consistently produced very parasite resistant lambs. Our ewe selection for breeding stock production is based primarily on the ewe's recorded prolificacy over her lifetime (and that of her daughters), her maternal ability (bonds well, protective, good milk production), and a history of raising parasite resistant lambs. If a ewe does not consistently produce twins and raise them to market, she will not pay for herself! For a more in-depth description of our selection criteria please click here. Our ewes have their lambs out on pasture, they are not confined to a barn or jug. Thus they MUST bond with and protect their lambs from birth. We do have coyotes and this maternal care is essential. We do not use rearing methods that can be deceptive to buyers. i.e. we do not "feedlot" our best animals so that they will look fat at sale, and then are a disappointment to the buyer when they are put out to pasture and expected to perform. We only deworm our lambs once, in their first year. If they need more than that, they are not sold as breeders and their mothers are moved to meat production only or culled out of the flock. Our adult Katahdins are only dewormed once a year, if needed. Last year only six of our adult Katahdins out of over 100 needed deworming at all. As you can see, we are selecting heavily for the parasite resistance that makes the Katahdin breed so valuable to those of us in the South. Our registered ewe lambs are $300. Yes, you can get cheaper ewe lambs from people who raise sheep primarily to train their border collies, or people who buy and sell at a sale barn to make a few dollars on "turn over" of the animals. Our goal is to raise only quality Katahdin hair sheep which will produce. We cull our flock constantly to improve genetics. We never buy from a sale barn where it is far too easy to bring in disease. We never take our sheep to dog trials, shows, or fairs. Our flock has been closed for five years except for the addition of two new rams for bloodline improvement from a well know and reputable breeder. We have NEVER had foot rot, abortion storms, or any other diagnosed communicable diseases. Most of the ewe lambs for sale were born in January. They will be ready for sale in April and May. As indicated above, we only have 12 registered ewe lambs so you may want to contact us early if you are interested in some of our stock.
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