Comparison of the flocking behavior of Katahdin and Rambouillet sheep breeds in an extensive range environment using GPS technology

Authors: Wilson, Carrie; Taylor, Joshua; Wilmer, Hailey; Spiess, Jonathan

Submitted to: Animal Biotelemetry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/13/2025
Publication Date: 2/21/2025
Citation: Wilson, C.S., Taylor, J.B., Wilmer, H.N., Spiess, J.W. 2025. Comparison of the flocking behavior of Katahdin and Rambouillet sheep breeds in an extensive range environment using GPS technology. Animal Biotelemetry. Volume 13,Issue 7, pg 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40317-025-00404-6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40317-025-00404-6

Interpretive Summary: Due to interest in the suitability of the farm-flock Katahdin hair sheep breed for extensive range sheep production systems, the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station is currently evaluating the performance of the Katahdin breed in a range environment. Part of this evaluation includes a behavioral component to measure the "flockability", a measure of the animal's flocking behavior, since this is critical for survival on range. Katahdin and Rambouillet ewes were fitted with GPS collars over the course of two summers and distance of individual ewes from each breed from the study flock centroid (middle) were compared to evaluate if the breeds differed in their ability to stay with the flock. Additionally, the total daily distance traveled by each ewe was compared for breed differences. Although differences were observed for each breed, they did not follow a consistent trend. The results of this study showed the Katahdin exhibited similar flockability to the Rambouillet, showing opportunity for the inclusion of the Katahdin breed in extensive range flocks.

Technical Abstract: There is considerable interest in the suitability of the farm-flock Katahdin hair sheep breed for large-scale extensive range sheep production systems. Flocking behavior or “flockability”, a measure of gregariousness, is critical for sheep to thrive and produce in extensive, herded management systems. An evaluation of the Katahdin breed in a Western U.S. range environment compared to the traditional range-adapted Rambouillet breed is underway. The objective was to compare the flockability of range-reared Katahdin ewes to Rambouillet ewes during the summer grazing season using GPS collars. Flockability was measured by how far a ewe was dispersed from the centroid of the study flock and the total daily distance traveled compared to the study flock. Complete GPS coordinates were available from 23 Rambouillet and 29 Katahdin ewes in 2023 and five Rambouillet and five Katahdin ewes in 2024. For both years, study groups were managed in bands of 800 – 1,000 ewes with lambs grazing extensive rangelands. During the day, the Katahdin breed had a farther dispersion from the study flock centroid for one of the study groups (P < 0.05), the Rambouillet breed was more dispersed for one study group (P < 0.05), and the breeds did not differ for one study group (P > 0.05). The daily distance traveled was farther for the Rambouillet breed in two study groups (P < 0.05) when compared to the Katahdin breed, but did not differ for the other study group (P > 0.05). When individual ewes were compared to the study flock centroid and the overall study total daily distance traveled, both breeds had ewes that were either closer or farther away (P < 0.05) or ewes that traveled farther or shorter distance (P < 0.05). The Katahdin breed was similar in flockability to the traditional, range-adapted Rambouillet breed, indicating the Katahdin breed is well-suited for grazing in an extensive range environment. This study indicates the Katahdin breed exhibits favorable behavioral characteristics to flock and herd well in herded, large range flock management systems and provides an opportunity for Western U.S. producers interested in incorporating this breed into their flock.