Farm Talk

Livestock

July 6, 2010

Hair sheep interest on the rise in Mo.

CNHI

Parson, Kansas — Hair sheep are becoming more popular in Missouri, especially in the southern parts of the state, according to Jodie Pennington, a small ruminant educator with Lincoln University Extension.

Although Boer goats set the standard for muscle among the goat breeds and have received lots of publicity in recent years, some Boer goats require more management than some other breeds of sheep and goats.

“Some producers wish to minimize time and management with their small ruminant enterprise. Hair sheep appear to fit this niche of requiring less management than some of the other breeds of sheep and goats,” said Pennington.

Breeds of hair sheep mainly originated in the dry desert lands of South Africa or the tropical areas in West Africa and in the Caribbean. The origins of the breeds determine the characteristics of the breed.

A breed from South Africa (Dorper), offers the ability to survive under harsh, dry desert conditions. The breeds from the Caribbean and West Africa, (Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix), thrive under the rigors of heat, humidity and parasites.

The Katahdin, which was developed in the United States, is somewhat unique in that it can thrive under diverse environmental conditions. It is suitable for hot, humid environments with significant parasite challenges. It was initially developed in Maine, where the northern climate makes it able to adapt to colder climates.

“Hair sheep are not a cross between breeds of goats and sheep. The primary difference between hair sheep and wooled sheep is the ratio of hair to wool fibers,” said Pennington. “Hair sheep have more hair fibers, and wooled sheep have more wool fibers.”

Wooled sheep breeds include the Suffolk, Hampshire, and Rambouillet.

Shearing is not necessary with hair sheep, although there are differences in shed ding ability of individual animals. Some hair sheep will appear shaggy since not all of the hair will be shed.

Hair sheep also do not need their tails docked, although some producers elect to dock their tails for appearance. Most wooled sheep have their tails docked for improved health and sanitation.

According to Pennington, there are advantages to raising hair sheep rather than sheep with wool and some of the more muscular breeds of goats.

Hair sheep tend to have a high level of reproduction, with a lambing rate of 150 to 200 percent. Additionally, they are good mothers who care for their young, tend to have a natural resistance to internal parasites and other pests and have a good livability rate.

There are some disadvantages with hair sheep too. For example, growth rates of the lambs will not be as great as the gain for breeds of wooled sheep since they are not as large. Hair sheep breeds are usually not as suitable for the club lamb market as more stylish breeds of sheep. They also do not do as well in cold weather as wooled sheep.

For more information, contact Jodie A. Pennington, region small ruminant educator, at the Newton County Extension Center in Neosho at (417) 455-9500.

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