Facts About Katahdins For Sale

By Christopher Wilson


One of the most common breed of sheep today is the Katahdin. Since it was first created, this breed has gained a lot of popularity and is currently bred in every continent. Most people are attracted to this breed because of its several attractive features. One of the main reasons they are reared is for their meat but in some people keep them mainly for breeding purposes. Here is useful information about katahdins for sale.

For one buying the Katahdins with the intention of breeding, the most crucial aspect to take into consideration is health of the animal. If by any mistake one starts an unhealthy flock, there is failure to be expected from this. From sight, healthy sheep are alert to their environment and bright. They tend to flock together due to their flocking instinct. If one sheep separates from the flock, it may be an indication of being unhealthy.

Sheep can be made unhealthy from a number of medical conditions. For instance, signs of disease include, respiratory problems, sore mouth lesions, pink eyes, presence of abscesses, limping, and poor body condition. Sheep with such symptoms are not suitable for breeding and should not be purchased. If one finds a breeder whose a majority of the sheep have these signs, it is advisable to buy from a different source.

There are several defects and medical issues that can render a sheep unsuitable for breeding purposes. One of the key features to pay attention to is the mouth. The upper and lower jaws of a healthy animal are expected to be well aligned with the incisor teeth flushing together with the upper jaws. One will be needed to carefully open the mouth of the sheep to determine this.

It is a common case for sheep to have overshot or undershot jaws where the lower or upper jaw is longer. This defect is common in sheep and is inherited by the offspring from their parents. Grazing on short pasture becomes a problem if the animal has short jaws. Nonetheless, the jaws are allowed to vary slightly as a small variation in length does not pose much of a problem

The condition of teeth of katahdins usually depend on the diet they are fed and the land where the sheep live. Animals that are fed rough and course diet tend to grind their teeth away faster than those that eat soft pasture and feed. In sheep, the incisors are less important than molars. The molars can be evaluated by feeling the outside of the jaws.

When inspecting an animal then one should also consider its feet and legs. A healthy animal is expected to have straight legs set on the body squarely. Sheep with flaws on the legs and feet should not be bought for breeding purposes since they are prone to breaking under hard production conditions.

Finally, one should be careful about the breeder from whom they buy the sheep. The reputation of the breeder should precede them in the market. They should have been in operation for a couple of years and with a good reputation. One must also confirm on their licensure status as this is a major requirement.




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