In females, horns are completely absent, in rams they rarely grow and usually are two or three centimeter tubercles. Lameness and foot lesions in Dorper sheep | Posted June 2011 Written by: Jillian Lawrence, University of Sydney Intern and Libby Read, District Veterinarian . Mutton Production: The Dorper is primarily a mutton sheep and meets these requirements exceptionally well. Instead, the meat offers a mild, delicate, and delicious flavor. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. It even does well in the wet areas of New Zealand and Tasmania. This means that they are not given the choice of what to eat, or which sections of a plant, and are expected to feed on the grass and plants in the vicinity. The weight of a sheep reaches 120 kg, the weight of a ram is 180. At 21 weeks, it can gain weight more than 70 kg. BREEDING DORPER SHEEP. They should be allowed to graze during the spring, summer, and fall months on the green, growing pasture. Dorpers sheep are highly regarded as a prime lamb producing breed as they are fast maturing with the ability to produce a high-quality carcass with excellent conformation and fat distribution. Long Breeding Season - Dorpers are non-seasonal or have an extended breeding season. It was created by crossing the Dorset Horn with the Blackhead Persian. A Dorper lamb will reach a high weaning weight quite easily. The Dorper is hardy and can thrive under range conditions where other breeds can barely exist and the ewe can raise a lamb of reasonable quality under fairly severe conditions. D1150 ECHUCA. It is considered easy to care for with a short coat that sheds in late spring and summer. Since that time the DSSA has managed and maintained a registry of pedigree and breeding information for both sires and dams, maintaining high genetic integrity. 11 Sheep Birth Complications You Need to Know Before Lambing Season Starts, 10 Common Lambing Problems and How to Deal with Them, Raising Sheep: A Complete Guide on How to Raise Sheep at Homestead, Tetanus in Newborn Lambs: The Causes and How to Prevent It. Australian History of Dorpers. The Dorper is a South African breed of domestic sheep developed by crossing Dorset Horn and the Blackhead Persian sheep. One of the reasons that the Dorper is such a popular breed is because they are hardy and healthy animals. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Member Name: AMHERST DORPERS Contact Name: MARCUS RYAN Phone Number . Lambing intervals can be eight months. The Dorper sheep can grow 110 pounds in five months. Say No to Chemicals and plastics. Although this breed was developed originally for the more arid areas of the . The South African Meat Board took on the challenge of producing a meat sheep breed that would produce a higher quality carcass and yet, thrive under arid to semi-arid conditions. Can be safely used to improve other breeds. They can be put out to graze on pastures that would otherwise be left unused, which means that they can convert a poor asset into a profitable field. Dorper Studs - Victoria. Keep the water trough filled with clean, fresh water. The main reason for almost any problems is the lack of attention of the owner to the livestock and ignoring the rules of hygiene, in particular, when cleaning the permanent dwelling of animals. The Dorper adapts well to a variety of grazing conditions. The early Dorpers were white with black spots/patches all over the body. [2] Other breeds such as the Van Rooy are also believed to have contributed to the development of the White Dorper breed. Banding Sheep for Castration: When Is It Necessary and How to Band Sheep Correctly, What to Consider When Raising Sheep and Goats Together, 7 Tips to Consider When Buying Sheep or Lambs, Footrot in Sheep: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment. An alternative option for nutrient mixtures are cereals from a mixture of different cereals, peeling vegetables. **J&R Pierce Family Farm is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to allow sites to earn advertising fees by linking to products on Amazon. The breed also has very thick skin to deal with the cold weather, and this makes it one of the most popular breeds for producing sheepskin. However, breeding the Dorper with woolier breeds will result in this characteristic if you require it. The coats of wild sheep, like that of most animals, does not grow continuously. However, the breed is a meat breed, not a wool breed. The Dorper is an easy-care animal that produces a fleece of little wool that is shed late spring-summer. The breed has a thick, well muscled carcass and extended period of fertility. To provide the population of the country with meat, a hardy sheep was needed, capable of subsisting and fattening in the arid regions of the country. If such females give birth to a large number of lambs, then be prepared for artificial feeding. Dorpers prefer fiber to grains and they respond well to good quality hay. Adult breeding rams can cost around $6000, while young ones can cost as much as $1500. The breed is also very hardy when it comes to living in different climates. While its one of the most popular breeds in South Africa, it is now commonly raised in several other countries. This is not common and should not be expected. This coat combined with their thicker-than-average skin allows the Dorper to be kept outside throughout the year. Some breeders preferred a white sheep, called the Dorsian, while others chose to select for confirmation rather than color and use the black markings as their trademark. Sheep 101, The Maryland Small Ruminant Page Member Details. Organisation of Field Days and education programmes. This extended cycle allows for higher reproductive rates. They are very resilient when it comes to parasite resistance and they grow very quickly with the food at hand. PO Box 259 1. Purebred Dorpers are less expensive than full blood, while Dorper and White Dorper cost around the same amount. As for drinking, water should be in the stalls at all times, moreover, if the pasture is far from the premises, then drinkers should be placed there as well. Over time this adds to their hardiness. Drawbacks of the Dorper Sheep Breed. It is now farmed in other areas as well, and is the second most common sheep breed in South Africa.[1]. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. Tools for Managing Internal Parasites in Small Ruminants: Copper Wire Particles It has high fertility and maternal instinct, combined with high growth rates and hardiness. Disclosure. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. The young growth of the new breed is actively growing and developing, quickly gaining weight even in the hot conditions of the African savannah, and a one- or two-day lack of water does not affect the health of these animals. Because of their hardiness, they can adapt to situations that allow them to live virtually anywhere and require little to no shelter, unlike many other breeds of sheep. Upon reaching one month, young animals already weigh about 12 kg, and especially well-fed 25 kg. Adaptable and flexible breeding also allows for more control over assessing and preserving rangeland health in harsh drought years without massive . This can be beneficial and even offers a means of turning unused fields into profitable pastures. The Dorper sheep is a fast-growing meat producing sheep.The breed was developed for the arid extensive regions of South Africa.The Dorper is a South African mutton breed developed in the 1930s from the Dorset Horn and Blackhead Persian. White Muscle Disease in Lambs: What Is It and How to Prevent It? with the obligatory consideration of the characteristics of the diet. Dorper sheep originated in South Africa and were the result of crossing Dorset Horn with Blackheaded Persian sheep. Other breeds, including the Van Rooy, also played a part in developing the current breed. The Dorper is considered an even-tempered sheep. It does not, for example, need shearing. Sheep Dorper sheep breed: characteristics, breeding, photos . Most lambs can reach a market weight of 80 to 90 pounds at around four months of age. The name Dorper is a coupling of the first syllables of the parent breeds Dorset and Persian . The stud ewes are mated in single-sire groups from late February to late March. $3/lb 2021 USDA Market Average. A white sheep with black confined to the head and neck is the ideal. Select Genes Ltd., Irene 1675, Republic of South Africa. But even in spite of its high cost, dorper sheep are widespread among farmers. Developed in South Africa, it is the second most popular breed in the country. As well as being hardy and able to survive in almost any climate, the Dorper is fast-growing, reaches sexual maturity at a reasonably young age, and it has minimum requirements. . It is noteworthy that keeping sheep in unheated pens during the cold season will not cause serious problems with their health. Rambouillet Sheep Breed Information: Will This Dual-Purpose Breed Suit Your Farm? White Dorper genetics have also contributed to the development of the Australian White sheep breed.[4]. Dorper Sheep are low-maintenance and they require minimal interaction and work, in exchange for a good amount of meat per carcass. Last seen: 01/07/2017 - 16:28 Joined: 01/07/2017 - 15:01 Please Help! They gain weight rapidly at approximately a quarter of a pound per day. Essentially, this means that they will eat whatever grass, hay, plants, and shrubs are in their field. So if youre looking for a single lamb-producing breed that is easy to raise, the Dorper breed may be right for you. Some breeders spend around $15 (1000 rupees) ahead to bring a lamb from 35 kg to 45 kg, but get much more when they sell back. Fullblood means that the sheep can trace its heritage directly back to South African stock. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. I managed Nonning for 20 years, and we also own 'Kilmory' - a commercial cattle and White Dorper stud property - north of Lucindale, SA, that I have managed for the last 5 years. Roughly 40% of the fat in Dorper meat is from oleic acid, which is largely associated with a decreased risk for heart disease. Dorper sheep are a self-shedding sheep breed, meaning they do not require any manual . They start grazing at an early age and can tolerate just about any kind of grazing conditions, which sheep farmers will not find with most other common sheep breed options out there. The breed was introduced into Australia in 1996 and today the dorper is one of the fastest growing sheep breeds in Australia. Having been bred in South Africa, the breed is more than capable of dealing with semi-arid conditions, and it is less picky over its food than other breeds. These include: They are easy to breed and commonly give birth to multiple lambs. Important! Require high quality pasture for a high quality grass finish. The breed was developed for the arid extensive regions of South Africa. dorper facts: In the 1930s, the South African Department of Agriculture decided to develop a new sheep breed, which had good lambing percentages and produced a high quality carcass. The fibers of a Dorperskin are delicate, but the skin structure is tighter and denser than that of goatskins or wool skins. Two varieties of Dorper Sheep were created: the black headed Dorper and an all white variety, the White Dorper sheep. Sheep form very close bonds with one another and may even physically stick up for their close friends. In general, such sheep are found in various countries, because they are equally well adapted to both the hot conditions of their native Africa and the frosty winters of the northern regions. In addition, the Persians have very valuable skins used in the production of fine leather products. The Dorper sheep was created in the 1930s and is native to South Africa. In the winter season, the diet of animals changes somewhat and the number of feedings increases up to 3-4 times a day. Dorpers are great because they can be fed regular pasture but they will also eat browse, very similarly to goats. Overall, this breed is considered a good choice for any breeder or farmer, regardless of experience, that is looking for a hardy and resilient meat stock. Currently the Dorper sheep is the second most common sheep breed in the . Black-headed breeders constitute about 85% of the members of the Dorper Sheep Breeders' Society of South Africa. Both rams and ewes have beautiful horns, the horned dorset rams . The flavor of it is not reminiscent of mutton at all and will surprise even the pickiest of eaters. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Because the Dorper is largely a grass-fed animal, its meat is full of Omega-3s. 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