Description and characteristics of the sheep of the Katum 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 production direction. They quickly adapt to new living conditions, are unpretentious in care. They don't need to pay much attention. The farmer needs only a little to master the information about this breed in order to come to grips with its breeding.
History of the breed
The Katum sheep were first discussed in 2013. In the agricultural enterprise "Katumy", located in the Vsevolozhsky district of the Leningrad region, the farmer Lebedev O.S. decided to crossbreed animals. The purpose of his work was to breed a special beef breed of sheep that would not need a haircut. So the Romanov coarse-wool sheep was crossed with the American catadin breed.
The animal got its name in honor of the place where it was originally born. The breed glorified the Katumy of the Leningrad Region. However, breeders continue to work on getting the characteristics of the new bred animal.
Appearance and characteristics
Katum sheep are large in size. They have sturdy body construction. They are smooth-haired animals with well-developed musculature, medium-sized tail, deep chest with wide coverage. Their hairline is characterized by the absence of wool. Only hair is present on the skin. Only in cold weather a small undercoat appears, which sheds with the onset of spring. Therefore, shearing is not necessary for Katum sheep.
Among the distinctive features of the breed are:
- male weight - up to 110 kilograms, female - no more than 80 kilograms;
- color - reddish, fawn, piebald;
- coat - soft to the touch, short in length;
- life expectancy - 10 years;
- flexible character;
- the risk of developing diseases is low, the body is stable;
- severity of reproductive function - the ability to give birth to 2-3 lambs per lambing every 6-7 months throughout life.
Quite often, Qatum 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 rapidly and gain weight. Puberty occurs early. Therefore, the reproductive capacity of rams lasts a long time.
These animals tolerate even severe frosts well 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 disease. The constant presence of warm water in the animal's diet ensures a reduction in feed costs.
The meat of this animal is especially tasty and soft, similar to veal. No bad taste. Served ready-made, both hot and cold. The age of the animal does not in any way 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;
- the ability to save 30% of feed when installing drinkers with warm water;
- fertility;
- excellent adaptive sensitivity;
- meat of good taste in the absence of a layer of fat.
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 identify 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 erected a shed or barn, which serves as a shelter from the weather, protects from rain and snow. It is especially important to take care of the warmth when lamb is expected or present.
Like any sheep, katums need pasture. They need a large walking area. It should be calculated that each animal can graze not to the detriment of its relatives. It is important to understand whether the land allotted for this can feed all the ruminants. Moreover, during the dry season, a larger area for feeding is required than in rainy weather. Animals eat different grasses, but clover and a variety of meadow greens suit their taste best.
It is better to fence off the plot of land allocated for pasture. To protect the sheep from predators, it is worth building a 1.5 meter high fence.
What are they fed
The pasture does not always leave the animal full. Sometimes the herb isn't enough. Moreover, it does not grow in meadows all year round. Then the farmer has to provide animals with additional quality feed. It is necessary to stock up in advance with hay, which should include alfalfa and clover. These herbs are more nutritious and beneficial for the Qatum sheep. One animal weighing 45 kilograms eats about 500 grams of hay. Farmers also buy special-purpose compound feed. Grain should be discarded. Food should not be stored for more than a month, especially in a closed and unventilated room, otherwise mold will form, and this is dangerous to animal health.
Sheep need salt feeding. It is worth installing a lick salt somewhere in the pen so that the animal, being in the pasture, receives all the necessary minerals for the body. Ruminants will determine their own rate. The salt compressed block will be licked by animals only when needed. In addition, this is how preventive measures are taken to combat possible diseases.
Reproduction
To breed a thoroughbred animal, it is worth crossing sheep and rams of the same color. A purebred herd gives good genetics for future offspring. In addition, this makes it possible to consolidate the breed characteristics. At the end of the 7-month period after birth, the lamb is ready for mating, which is carried out both on a pasture, in a natural setting, and in a special enclosure. Lambing occurs after 5 months. Qatum sheep give birth easily and without complications. The offspring are born strong and viable.
Treatment and prevention of diseases
The sheep should be checked 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 anthelmintic, you should contact your veterinarian, and then take it on schedule. To avoid infectious diseases, they are vaccinated. This manipulation can preserve the health of an entire 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 SPH “Katumy”. They are bred in three districts of the Leningrad region: Boksitogorsky, Vsevolozhsky and Priozersky. This is practically the only beef breed of animals that is free of fat.
