College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, College of Human & Environmental Sciences, Ag Education, Communications & Leadership, Master of International Agriculture Degree Program. Considered one of the most fertile of all sheep breeds, the Dorper can lamb at intervals of just 8 months, which means that you can achieve three litters every two years because the Dorper can breed at any time of year. In 1950, the South African Dorper Breeders Association was formed. The Dorper ewes range from 150 to 200 pounds( 50 80 kg)mature weight. Dorper sheep farming is a result of the breed being developed in South Africa. Dorper sheep have a distinctive appearance: black heads and white bodies. The Dorper sheep put on wool in cold climates and shed in warm weather. The Dorper ewes from this cross were excellent mothers that could be bred in any season. Their bodies are covered in both short hair and coarse wool. Katum smooth-haired sheep: description, advantages and disadvantages of the breed . By the age of two months, the weight of the lamb reaches 40 kg, and at four months, small burly men weigh about 55 kg. Dorper sheep keep dying. Sheep Breeds. $ 100.00 - $ 350.00. Their skin is of such high quality that it is sought after in the leather-making industry. The Dorper sheep was bred in South Africa in the 1930s. The lambs grow quickly, reaching a weight of 80 to 90 pounds in four months. The Dorper is a popular species of sheep. A Dorper is a fast-growing meat-producing sheep. In a flock containing a large number of maiden ewes, the lambing percentage will be in the region of 120% as these ewes usually drop single lambs. [2] Other breeds such as the Van Rooy are also believed to have contributed to the development of the White Dorper breed. You can expect to pay anywhere between $200 and $500 per sheep. A fulltime farmer and blogger who love to share all his farming experiences. While young, growing grass may be tasty to Dorper sheep,it may lack nutrients. Although they are hardy and can survive difficult conditions, they also do well in green pastures. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The breed was bred in the 30s of the last century in South Africa. Dorpers are known to adapt well to feed conditions which offer farmers an alternative method to finish lambs in times of drought. Dorset sheep can be used for both wool and meat. The Dorper sheep has a white body and a black head. All lambs are vaccinated twice to protect against significant diseases. The name 'Dorper' is a coupling of the first syllables of the parent breeds Dorset and Blackhead Persian. Important! During a phase D2 growth test at Tweedie, the average daily gain was 160 g per day in the test while the average daily gain per day of age was 203 g per day. The Dorper is an easy-care animal that produces a short, light coat of wool and hair that is shed in late spring and summer. They grow really fast. Dorper thrive in climates similar to those found on our ranches in central Texas. However, the breed is a meat breed, not a wool breed. To provide the population of the country with meat, a hardy sheep was needed, capable of existing and feeding weight in arid regions of the country. Texas Hill Country Dorper Association The difference in color is therefore merely a matter of preference for each breeder. The breed is regarded as having the ability to graze and browse which suggests it will consume plants seldom eaten by other sheep. The Dorper has a thick skin, which is highly prized and protects the sheep under harsh climatic conditions. Collagen is the material that forms the leather. Although the breed does require the same care as others, the Dorper is not known to get ill. The weight of a sheep reaches 120 kg, the weight of a ram is 180. . From an American point of view (the point is located precisely in the state of Texas). The fleece regrows in Autumn when the temperature becomes cooler. Want to learn more about farming? Lambing rates of 180% can be achieved per lambing. With a flock of fullblood and commercial Dorper sheep we have sheep to fit any operation. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. From an American point of view (the point is located precisely in the state of Texas). --> There are two main subspecies of dorpers: the former have a black head, with the same dark upper part, neck, and the latter are pure white and have no dark color at the genetic level. It will also produce up to 9 pounds of medium-grade wool annually. It . It was developed in South Africa and is now the second most popular breed in that country. Methods for determining the age of rams and sheep by teeth, What is the name of the bighorn sheep, life cycle, behavioral features, How and how to wash sheep wool (fleece) at home, Karakul breed of sheep: features, description, How can you use sheeps milk with benefits, cheese from sheeps milk, How to properly feed sheep: in winter, breeding rams, after lambing, young animals, feed norms, Application of the vaccine against sheep pox and goat pox, instructions, Treatment of worms in sheep: drugs, detection, treatment, Difference between ram and sheep, lamb and lamb, sheep records, Features of the Ile de France sheep breed: description, breeding features, Feeders, drinkers, mangers for sheep self-production, How to build a building for keeping sheep: site selection, area calculation, Symptoms and treatment of foot rot in sheep, How to use lamb fat to cure a cough for adults with bronchitis, How to properly breed sheep: puberty and cycle in sheep, mating, how to find out when a sheep is in heat, How to process the skin of a ram, sheep wool: features, steps, application, Castration of sheep: why it is necessary to do it, at what age, methods and description, Sheep meat-wool breed Tashlinskaya: description, origin, breeding. If you believe the reviews of breeders, then a standard non-insulated corral as a shelter, when growing dorpers in the middle zone, will be more than enough, and if you add to this the low demands on feed, you get an almost ideal animal for breeding. Thanks to this feature, the muscular texture stands out against the background of other breeds it is devoid of sharp-smelling layers of yellowish fat. Dorper rams are typically ready to breed at five months. Originally this breed was developed for the more arid areas of the Republic but today they are widely spread throughout all the provinces. Dorper sheep are very adaptable with a high ability to flourish, grow, produce and reproduce in irregular and low rainfall environments. Beginning in the 1930s, a group of South African sheepmen set out to create a breed of easy-care, shedding sheep capable of thriving in South Africa's harsh, arid climate while still producing fine-grained, succulent meat. Use: Dorper sheep are a large, hardy meat sheep breed from South Africa. However, people don't often. Currently the Dorper sheep is the second most common sheep breed in the . The Dorper was developed in South Africa during the 1930's by crossing Horned Dorsets with Black Headed Persians. Dorper sheep will be of interest to those farmers who wish to breed these animals in order to obtain a large amount of tasty meat, since this variety belongs specifically to the meat direction. The breed has the characteristic black head (Dorper) as well as white heads (White Dorper). Dorper sheep keep dying. The Dorset has white wool and the Persian has a black head. The Dorper skin is the most sought after sheepskin in the world and is marketed under the name of Cape Glovers. An alternative option for nutrient mixtures are cereals from a mixture of different cereals, peeling vegetables. The sheep are at their natural breeding peak at this time so this correlates with most lambing occurring in July and August. Considered even-tempered sheep, Dorpers are easy to work with. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Articles about sheep health and cattle health. The outflow of this was the even colour distribution of today Dorpers. The difference in color is therefor merely a matter of preference for each breeder. Although Dorper ewes are known for their ability to lamb several times per year and are not seasonally limited, they, unfortunately, tend to drop only one lamb at a time. Purebreds can trace their lineage all the way back to South Africa. If you are raising organic meat, the Dorper is a good choice because they are more tolerantofintestinal parasites than some other breeds. The excessive milk production of the ewe helps ensure early growth for your lambs. The breed does require the same care as other sheep to remain healthy and disease-free but is not known for getting ill. Phone: -27-12-6671129 Fax: -27-12-6671827. It was actually created through the efforts of South African Department of Agriculture for developing a meat sheep breed suitable to the more arid regions of South Africa.. A lot of farmers have found that the breed responds better to fiber than grains and they will do well with good quality hay. 2022 Editions. Because of this, they are not categorized as having good wool. All are recently drenched & have been supplemented with lucerne and grain. The taste properties of sheep meat are at a high level and it is considered dietary. Well, the second is Border Leicester, a serious breed. Although this breed was developed originally for the more arid areas of the . Subscribe to our email newsletter for regular tips and tricks on homesteading wherever you are. ADATAR. They have also spread to wet and lush areas of New Zealand, where they have also flourished. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. While Dorpers have many great qualities, the number of lambs they produce can be a negative aspect. They are well known for their fertility as well as their mothering instincts. It also means that you can combine Dorpers with other breeds that are more selective, leaving the Dorper to feed on what is left. The breed has a thick, well muscled carcass and extended period of fertility.