Katum sheep: description and characteristics of the breed, features of the content

Due to the lack of constant demand for sheep's wool, breeders decided to develop a new breed. This is how the Katum smooth-haired sheep appeared. These are animals of the meat direction of productivity. They quickly adapt to new living conditions, unpretentious care. They don't need much attention. The farmer only needs to learn a little about this breed in order to come to grips with its breeding.

History of the breed

Katum sheep were first mentioned in 2013. In the SHP "Katumy", located in the Vsevolozhsk district of the Leningrad region, the farmer Lebedev O.S. decided to produce animal crossing. The purpose of his work was to develop a special meat breed of sheep that would not need a haircut. So the Romanov coarse-wooled sheep was crossed with the American Katahdin breed.

The animal got its name in honor of the place where it was originally born. The breed glorified the Katums of the Leningrad region. However, breeders continue to work on getting the characteristics of a new bred animal.

Appearance and features

Katum sheep are large in size. They have a strong body structure. These are smooth-haired animals with well-developed muscles, a medium-sized tail, a deep chest with a wide coverage. Their hairline is distinguished by the absence of wool. The skin contains only hair. Only in the cold appears a small undercoat, which sheds with the onset of spring. Therefore, Katum sheep do not need shearing.

Among the distinctive features of the breed are:

• male weight - up to 110 kilograms, female - no more than 80 kilograms;
• color - reddish, fawn, piebald;
• wool - soft to the touch, short in length;
• life expectancy - 10 years;
• compliant character;
• disease risk is low, body is stable;
• expressiveness of reproductive function - the ability to give birth to 2-3 lamb per lamb every 6-7 months throughout life.

Quite often, Katum sheep give birth to twins or even triplets. Moreover, this state of affairs is considered the norm for this family of smooth-haired. Lambs grow quickly and gain weight. Puberty comes early. Therefore, the reproduction of rams is preserved for a long time.

These animals perfectly tolerate even severe frosts, if they are kept in good conditions under a canopy where there is no snow and where rain does not fall.The body of Katum sheep is resistant to infectious diseases, and hooves are not susceptible to diseases. The constant availability of warm water in the animal's diet reduces feed costs.

Sheep of the Katum breed are very obedient and phlegmatic. These are calm animals that do not need enclosures. Even a small amount of provisions will allow the ram to maintain a stable weight.

The meat of this animal is especially tasty and soft, similar to veal. There is no bad aftertaste. Served ready-made, both hot and cold. The age of the animal does not affect the taste of its meat.

Pros and cons of the Katum breed

Among the advantages of this kind of sheep are:

• disease resistance;
• speed in weight gain;
• opportunity to save 30% of feed when installing drinkers with warm water;
• fertility;
• excellent adaptive susceptibility;
• good tasting meat with no fat layer.

Katums are not picky about food and know how to save food supplies. As for the shortcomings, the breeders have not yet been able to determine them, as the study of the breed continues.

Rules for keeping and caring for sheep

When preparing for winter, first of all, you need to remember that these animals are built a canopy or barn, which serves as a shelter from bad weather, protects from rain and snow. It is especially important to take care of warmth when lambing is expected or available.

Like any sheep, katums need pasture.They need a large area for walking. It should be calculated that each animal can graze not to the detriment of its relatives. It is important to understand whether the plot of land allotted for this will be able to feed all ruminants. At the same time, in the dry season, a larger area for feeding will be required than in rainy weather. Animals eat a variety of grasses, but clover and a variety of meadow greens are most suitable for them.

Plot of land allocated for pasture, it is better to protect. To protect the sheep from predators, it is worth building a fence 1.5 meters high.

What do they feed them

Pasture does not always leave the animal full. Sometimes grass is not enough. In addition, it does not grow in meadows all year round. Then the farmer has to provide the animals with additional high-quality feed. It is necessary to stock up on hay in advance, which should include alfalfa and clover. These herbs are more nutritious and beneficial for Katum sheep. One animal weighing 45 kilograms eats about 500 grams of hay.Farmers also buy special purpose compound feed. Grains should be avoided. Feed is not stored for more than a month, especially in a closed and unventilated area, otherwise mold will form, and this is dangerous for animal he alth.

Sheep need s alt supplements. It is worth installing a lick s alt somewhere in the paddock so that the animal, while on the pasture, receives all the necessary minerals for the body. Ruminants will determine their own rate. The s alt pressed block will be licked by the animals only when needed. In addition, preventive measures are being taken to combat possible diseases.

Reproduction

To breed a thoroughbred animal, it is worth crossing sheep and rams of the same suit. A purebred herd gives good genetics for future offspring. In addition, it makes it possible to consolidate the breed characteristics. After a 7-month period after birth, the sheep is ready for mating, which is carried out both in the pasture, in a natural setting, and in a special paddock.After 5 months, lambing occurs. Katum sheep give birth easily and without complications. Offspring are born strong and viable.

Treatment and prevention of diseases

Sheep need to be inspected periodically. Although they are resistant to diseases, they can catch a respiratory infection. Therefore, you need to monitor their condition, check for nasal discharge.

In animals, helminths may be present in the stool. For an anthelmintic, you should contact your veterinarian, and then take it on schedule. To avoid infectious diseases, vaccination is done. This manipulation can save the he alth of the whole herd. The vaccine is needed in the fight against tetanus and enterotoxemia.

Checking the skin will protect the animal from external parasites.

Breeding area

Katum rams and sheep in the breeding stock are kept in the farm "Katum". They are bred in three districts of the Leningrad region: Boksitogorsk, Vsevolozhsk and Priozersk. This is practically the only meat breed of animals that does not have fat.

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