Katahdins are a shedding breed of sheep developed during the 1980’s.  They are considered a “meat sheep” with excellent maternal qualities.  A medium to heavy size, they are excellent for smaller sized homesteads, organic farmers and commercial producers;  They fit in anywhere from cold to hot climates being very adaptable.

We farm NW of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and it is good grazing country with some barley or oats grown for feed.  Our land is edging boreal forest and our summer short so hay is put up for winter feed.  Snow is not necessarily deep but can be at times so I appreciate the availability of heavy equipment to move it out.  The Katahdin breed has proven extremely hardy growing a thick dense coat and living for the most part, by choice, outdoors in sheltered areas.  Shedding is done in the Spring where places to rub on can help the removal of the winter coat leaving them with a clean fine short hair coat for summer.  Any colour or combination is acceptable, and the tail is left on.

Since ram lambs can breed at about 4 months it is advisable to have a good strong fenced area to move them into when weaning at around 3 months.  Only a very few are kept intact and we don’t sell them for breeding till their second year.

Testing was done again in 2026 for Maeda Visna (OPP) a viral disease that has no cure and causes much economic loss and we are happy to say that ALL the ewes in their second year, were NEGATIVE.  Since we are a closed ewe flock and no deaths recorded over the last year, the lambs from them are negative also. Lambs are too young to be tested.

Breeding stock is mostly sold from the year’s lamb crop.  Rams kept intact can be selected from those that outshine their siblings.   Ewe lambs also hand picked for breeding passing on their dams mothering skills.   Since breeding commences in April, the lambs won’t be ready for leaving till closer to July onwards.  Only those lambs that meet the standards of conformation are kept for purebred sales with registering done by Franklyn Farm.

Those that don’t meet the standards are used for meat.

All lambs are vaccinated with Glanvac 6 twice as per instructions on the package.  We would prefer new owners of our sheep, continue vaccinations with either Glanvac 6 or any other 8-way usually given at about 6 weeks and again at 8 weeks and thereafter annually usually about 4 weeks before lambing is due to start in order to give some protection in the colostrum which is the first milk needed by lambs within their first 5 hours to get the full benefit.

We use Livestock Guardian Dogs to keep the coyotes and other predators back which are very evident around us.  We could not keep sheep without these incredible dogs.

Love to see visitors if they let us know first and encourage anyone getting into sheep raising to check out a few producers first.  There are many books on raising sheep and opinions vary in the many forums online.  It helps if you feel that the farm you buy from can give ongoing help and mentor you through the first few years.