Katahdin Hair Sheep

Registered Katahdin Hair Sheep in San Diego County, California

McCarthy Ranchette LLC raises registered Katahdin Hair Sheep with an emphasis on health, hardiness, parasite resistance, maternal ability, efficient growth, sound genetics, and the practical traits that make Katahdins an exceptional low-maintenance sheep breed.

Our breeding decisions incorporate pedigree, structure, health, performance, genetic testing, and available NSIP data from predecessors. We are particularly interested in producing sheep that are well suited to our variable Southern California climate while continuing to improve the qualities for which the Katahdin breed was developed.


2027 Spring Lamb Waiting List Is Now Open

We are currently accepting interested buyers for our 2027 spring Katahdin lambs.

Joining our waiting list allows us to contact you as lambs become available and helps us understand what you are looking for.

JOIN THE 2027 LAMB WAITING LIST


About Katahdin Hair Sheep

Katahdins are a practical, adaptable hair sheep breed developed for efficient meat production without the need for routine shearing.

Unlike wool sheep, Katahdins naturally shed their winter coats. A well-shedding Katahdin does not require annual shearing, making the breed particularly appealing to small farms and producers interested in reducing some of the routine maintenance associated with wool breeds.

Katahdins are also valued for traits that can include:

Individual animals vary, which is why we evaluate these characteristics when making breeding decisions rather than assuming every sheep possesses every desirable trait simply because it is a Katahdin.


Our Katahdin Breeding Program

Our goal is to produce functional Katahdin sheep that contribute positively to the next generation.

We select for traits that matter in real-world flock management, including:

We use genetic testing and available performance information as tools to help us make more informed breeding decisions.

Registration alone does not determine whether we consider an animal breeding quality. We evaluate the whole animal and the qualities it may contribute to future generations.


Performance Records & NSIP

Some of our Katahdin breeding stock and their parents have performance information available through the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP).

NSIP uses performance records and genetic evaluation to help sheep producers make more objective breeding decisions.

When available, we consider NSIP parent information alongside the offspring's health, structure, pedigree, temperament, reproductive performance, parasite resistance, and other characteristics.

Some animals in our pedigrees have particularly strong performance indexes, and we use this information as one component of our breeding decisions.

Genetics & Disease Resistance

Genetic information is an important part of our Katahdin breeding program, but we do not believe any single genetic test tells the entire story of an animal.

We use available testing to help us make more informed breeding decisions.

Codon 171

Our breeding ram is RR at Codon 171, and many of our ewes also carry favorable Codon 171 genetics.

Codon 171 genotype is one factor associated with genetic susceptibility or resistance to classical scrapie.

Breeding ram lambs offered for sale are tested at Codon 171, and test documentation is available to the buyer.

TMEM154

We also incorporate available TMEM154 information into our breeding decisions.

Many of our Katahdins have TMEM154 genotypes that include haplotypes associated with reduced susceptibility to certain forms of Ovine Progressive Pneumonia (OPP).

We consider TMEM154 results as one part of a broader health and breeding program rather than as a guarantee that an individual animal will never develop OPP.

Parasite Resistance

Parasite resistance is an important consideration in our Katahdin breeding program.

Katahdins are well known within the sheep industry for the breed's potential for parasite resistance, but resistance varies among individual animals and bloodlines.

We therefore consider available performance information, individual history, fecal testing when appropriate, body condition, and other indicators when evaluating breeding animals.

Our goal is not to claim that our sheep never require parasite management. Our goal is to select animals that demonstrate qualities consistent with a healthier, more resilient and manageable flock.


Flock Health & Biosecurity

Biosecurity is an important part of our sheep program.

Our flock undergoes regular veterinary laboratory testing as part of our efforts to monitor flock health and reduce the risk of introducing or spreading significant infectious diseases.

Our testing program has included screening for:

Testing is only one component of biosecurity. We also consider the health history and source of animals entering our program, maintain appropriate management practices, and continue to monitor the health of our flock.

We are happy to discuss our current testing program and available results with serious buyers.


Our Katahdin Flock

We maintain Katahdins representing genetics selected for the traits we value in our program.

Some of our bloodlines include animals with NSIP performance records, favorable Codon 171 genotypes, and TMEM154 information.

As we continue developing our flock, we retain animals that we believe can improve the next generation rather than breeding solely to increase numbers.


Purchasing a Katahdin Lamb

We want buyers to understand our process before committing to a lamb.

Waiting List

Joining our waiting list does not guarantee or reserve a lamb.

The waiting list allows us to learn what you are looking for and contact you as appropriate lambs become available.

Availability depends on our lamb crop, sex, registration eligibility, breeding quality, and the needs of our own breeding program.

We reserve the right to retain lambs for our flock when we believe they are important to the future of our breeding program.


Sheep Need Sheep

Sheep are flock animals and require appropriate companionship.

For that reason, we require our lambs to leave in pairs at minimum unless the buyer already owns compatible sheep.

If you are new to sheep, we are happy to discuss appropriate combinations based on whether you are looking for breeding animals, companions, or both.


Going-Home Age

Our Katahdin lambs generally leave for their new homes at approximately 10-12 weeks of age, depending on their individual development and weaning.

The health and readiness of the lamb always take priority over a predetermined calendar date.


Pickup

Buyers will receive an estimated pickup timeframe as their lambs approach weaning age.

Once a lamb is ready to leave, pickup should be arranged within two weeks of notification unless other arrangements have been agreed upon in advance.

If a lamb is not picked up within that period and other arrangements have not been made, we reserve the right to make the lamb available to another buyer.

Limited delivery within Southern California may occasionally be possible by prior arrangement. Availability and any associated delivery charge will depend on location and scheduling.


Before Your Lamb Goes Home

Before leaving McCarthy Ranchette, lambs receive age-appropriate care based on their individual needs and our flock-management program.

Depending on age and circumstances, this may include:

Katahdins are naturally short-tailed hair sheep, and we do not routinely dock their tails.

We will provide applicable records and information to help you continue appropriate care after your lamb arrives home.


Registration

Our Katahdins are registered with Katahdin Hair Sheep International (KHSI).

Registered lamb pricing includes applicable KHSI registration and transfer into the buyer's name.

Registration certificates are mailed to the buyer after the registration and transfer process has been completed.

Registration eligibility is based on current KHSI requirements and the qualifications of the individual animal. Registry requirements can change, so future eligibility cannot be guaranteed solely on the basis of current rules.


2027 Katahdin Lamb Pricing

Registered Ewe Lambs — $550

Registered ewe lambs include applicable KHSI registration and transfer.

Registered Breeding Ram Lambs — $550

Ram lambs offered as breeding animals are evaluated before being sold for breeding purposes.

Codon 171 testing is included for breeding ram lambs, with test documentation available to the buyer.

Companion Wethers — $250

Wethers are castrated males intended as companions rather than breeding animals.

Wethers may have more limited availability within our Katahdin program and are generally offered when circumstances make wethering an appropriate choice for an individual ram lamb.


Interested in a McCarthy Ranchette LLC Katahdin?

We encourage prospective buyers to learn about Katahdin sheep, understand the responsibilities of keeping a flock, and consider what type of animals best fit their property and goals.

Whether you are looking for registered breeding stock, animals with particular performance or genetic information, or companion sheep, joining our waiting list is the first step.

It allows us to learn what you are looking for and contact you when potentially suitable lambs become available.

JOIN THE 2027 SPRING LAMB WAITING LIST

We look forward to helping you determine whether a Katahdin is the right fit for your flock.