Small Katahdin

[aggieterpkatie]

Well, that explains my farmer guy....he doesn't really supplement feed except for right after the lamb is born. His sheep are mostly pasture raised.

He found out that he was spending over $5000 a year on feed, feeding hair sheep that thrive better on pasture. So now he feeds about $1000 worth of grains only for flushing and his herd produced more lambs, had better health, kept in better condition if he fed less feeds.

So, now he saves money and has bigger and more lambs, maybe the lambs are bigger from getting that rich milk for a longer period?

Well, I'm sure they grow well being on milk that long. Honestly, I can't say if they grow bigger or faster on milk vs. grain, because both provide good nutrition. But if it works for him, great! You really have to detail your operation to what works best for you area and animals.

 

[Aped]

Whoops haven't checked her in a while. My katahdin was 3 months when I got her but I have no idea when she was weaned. I would assume at 2 months. She was grazing with the lamb flock when I went to pick her up. All the lambs were being kept separate from the adults at this point.

I know she hasn't grown because I made a mental note that she was the same size as my nigerian buck and she is still that size. I also have a pic from the day I got her to compare to.

I don't think she has any nutritional deficiencies. She's eating and pooping just fine. Tramples me down for grain just like my goats and she pretty much owns the hay feeder. She's perfectly healthy and active... and small to my eyes anyway. I guess I will just wait and see if she is a slow grower.