Katahdin Sheep

A Brief History of the Katahdin Sheep

    The Katahdin breed began in the late 1950's when a man by the name of Michael Piel of Maine imported a small number of African Hair Sheep from St. Croix in the Virgin Islands. His intent was to develop a better sheep for meat production. His goal was selecting for hair coat, meat type, conformation, high fertility, and flocking instinct.
    After many crosses, in the early 1970's Michael selected 120 ewes from his flock and called them Katahdin sheep after Mt. Katahdin, Maine's highest mountain.
    In October 1975 he imported the Wiltshire Horn sheep from Wales to add size and bone to the Katahdin.
    In the mid 1970's the first satellite flock of Katahdins were created with a purchase of Katahdins by Paul and Margaret Jepson of Vermont. The Jepson's incorporated the St. Croix sheep into their flock in the early 1980's.
    Later the Wiltshire Horn genetics were lessened in the Katahdin breed as the presence of horns were not desired.
    As time has progressed on, the Katahdin sheep has become well established with over 75,000 registered Katahdins in North America. The breed has spread to Central and South America, Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom, and the Caribbean.

Why Katahdins:
  • Hair sheep require no shearing
  • Minimal parasite treatment required
  • Adaptable to many climates and climate changes
  • Katahdins are easy to handle
  • Great mothering instincts
  • Mostly unassisted birthing
  • High quality, muscled carcass
  • And many more!

Razeck Farms Sheep Credentials

  • Member South Central Katahdin Association since January 2009
  • Member Katahdin Hair Sheep International since January 2009
  • SFCP (Scrapie Flock Certification Program) August 11, 2008
  • Flock Number - LA067
  • Flock Prefix - RFA

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