Phone: -27-12-6671129 Fax: -27-12-6671827. The breeding cycle lasts from 16 to 59 hours. The breed is regarded as having the ability to graze and browse which suggests it will consume plants seldom eaten by the Merino. All representatives of dorpers are large, harmoniously built animals with a massive and slightly elongated body. Contact Us. They are shedders so do not require shearing; hardy, so are not prone to many illnesses or diseases; and they are non-selective grazers, which means that they will even graze on fields that would otherwise be left empty. According to approximate estimates of scientists, the first sheep on Earth appeared about 6-7 thousand years ago, and they began to spread around the globe from the territory of Turkey. Providing a information network for breeders. Its hornless with a relatively long body length and has a short and light wool covering, requiring little shearing. All fences that the sheep are housed behind are built to a high standard, and also helps to keep guard dogs along to protect from predators. The Dorper lamb grows rapidly and attains a high weaning weight which again is an economically important characteristic in the breeding of mutton sheep. NOTE: The form can also be used for Comments, Suggestions, and Corrections. SUBSCRIBE https://www.youtube.com/c/HighMountainHomestead?sub_confirmation=1 Storey's Guide to Raising Sheep https://amzn.to/3EhO3gO The Backyard S. The Dorper has thick skin, which is highly prized and protects the sheep under harsh climatic conditions. The Dorper Lamb breed was developed in the . Reproductive Efficiency - Dorpers are very fertile and prolific. History: In the early 1930s, meat-sheep raisers in South Africa set out to create a mutton breed that didn't require shearing and could produce high-quality, fast-growing lambs under harsh conditions. A good manager can organize his program so that lambs can be dropped at any time of the year. Originally this breed was developed for the more arid areas of the Republic but today they are widely spread throughout all the provinces. They offer many great benefits, including the need for minimal shearing, the ability to mature very quickly, and being very even-tempered. If you choose to raise Dorset Horn sheep, you are helping ensure the survival of future generations of this incredible animal. It will also produce up to 9 pounds of medium-grade wool annually. Dorset fleece is light in color, dense, and free of dark fibers. The Dorper breed was developed through the crossing of the Blackhead Persian ewe with the Dorset Horn and this resulted in the birth of some white Dorper lambs. Among the shortcomings of the breed, the most noticeable are: the impossibility of keeping on elevated places (because of their love for heights, they often fall from the upper tiers, haylofts, etc. Additionally, this thick skin protects the Dorper in tough weather conditions. The breeders did not think about the name of the specified breed of sheep for a long time and simply combined the names of the parental forms: the first syllable from dorsethorn, and the second from Persian black-headed. Although this breed was developed originally for the more arid areas of the . This means that they will usually get along with people and other animals, although it also means that they have sensible respect for some animals. It was developed in the 1930s by crossing Blackhead Persian and Dorset Horn sheep.. Purebreds can trace their lineage all the way back to South Africa. The breed was developed for the arid extensive regions of South Africa. From an American point of view (the point is located precisely in the state of Texas). It is generally accepted that sheep require up to 20 square feet of shed per adult sheep. The low-maintenance requirements and the hardy nature of the breed . The grazing behavior and diet selection by Dorper sheep, as well as other related aspects (pasture intake, walking habits and trampling), is reviewed. After the Dorper breed was established in 1942 in South Africa, various breeders continued to focus on breeding white sheep and crossed Dorset Horn x Blackhead Persian and Dorset Horn x Van Rooy to develop a separate breed known as "Dorsian". What sheep can be milked, why not all sheep are milked, sheep milk products . You may be able to get lower prices if you buy an entire flock at one time or any large number of Dorpers. So replace with few bits of corn or oats. Fertility, great feed conversion, and adaptability to weather conditions have helped the Dorper sheep breed rise in popularity among sheep farmers. Pet Keen is reader-supported. It offers excellent health benefits as well. Half-Circle Six Ranches has been producing quality "Ranch Raised Dorpers" for over 26 years now. Both rams and ewes have beautiful horns, the horned dorset rams . It may also have some additional white coloring on the body. However, breeding the Dorper with woolier breeds will result in this characteristic if you require it. Not only do they adapt to different conditions but will adapt to different people and characters. with the obligatory consideration of the characteristics of the diet. Pre-potency - Dorper sheep cross well with commercial ewes of other . This protection can take the natural form of trees and canopies or a more stable shed. While Dorpers have many great qualities, the number of lambs they produce can be a negative aspect. The Dorper is well adapted to a variety of climatic and grazing conditions. Because they are bred for meat, not wool, they do not produce lanolin, which ensures that they do not have a gamey flavor like many other breeds. You will have to research the flock that you have to ensure that its a dominant characteristic. Search our database of over 11517 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. Tools for Managing Internal Parasites in Small Ruminants: Copper Wire Particles We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. They are hardy animals. 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. Mid-American Dorper Breeders Association Muscles are clearly visible on the hips and back of the back, which is largely due to the short and sparse coat (for the most part it consists of outer hair and undercoat). Australian History of Dorpers. The Dorper is a popular species of sheep. The breed has a thick, well muscled carcass and extended period of fertility. This is important when raising a breed for the market. We are currently looking for high resolution pictures of any of the breeds. 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 consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If you are raising organic meat, the Dorper is a good choice because they are more tolerantofintestinal parasites than some other breeds. --> The Dorper sheep is a fast-growing meat producing sheep. 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. Dorpers were bred to produce a high quality carcass under a wide range of conditions, thus have the reputation of rapid weight gain, excellent carcass conformation and good fat distribution. This diet should be supplemented with clean grass hay. Rams reach sexual maturity at an early age; rams have been observed to start working by five months. The most visible characteristics of any breed of animal are the conformation data, however, from the point of view of farmers, it is much more important to learn about the productive qualities, as well as the general advantages and disadvantages of the representatives of the selected breed variety. They can easily be managed to produce three lamb crops in two years. 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. Over time this adds to their hardiness. 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. College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, College of Human & Environmental Sciences, Ag Education, Communications & Leadership, Master of International Agriculture Degree Program. D1173 AMHERST. Hallsville, MO 65255-0259, Telephone: 573-696-2550 To achieve this goal, sheep of several existing breeds were selected: Dorset Horn, Persian blackhead and fat-tailed sheep. Dorper sheep can be a great option for those wanting to raise mutton as they fetch a great price at the market. Dorper or White Dorper White Dorpers are being used for the commercial prime lamb and low maintenance commercial ewe flock. Disclosure. It is now farmed in other areas as well, and is the second most common sheep breed in South Africa. You see, this sheep doesn't need shearingit sheds its fleece once a year. Purebred Dorper sheep are rarely found in Russia, since the high cost of young animals often scares off modern farmers. Adaptable and flexible breeding also allows for more control over assessing and preserving rangeland health in harsh drought years without massive . The wool simply falls off the skin and onto the ground where it breaks down into the soil over time. If you are seeking a breed that produces multiple lambs per breeding cycle, this is not the breed for you. Shedding happens from the bottom up so many breeders will elect to shear their Dorpers backs to keep their appearance neater. Dorper thrive in climates similar to those found on our ranches in central Texas. This is one reason, in addition to a high lambing percentage and the fact that the Dorper sheep shed of hair makes maintenance easy, that this is one of the top breeds for meat production. You may have never heard of them, but Dorper sheep are an amazing breed. They are non-selective grazers and can benefit you by grazing where other livestock will not. The number of breeders increased steadily over the years to a peak of 910 members during 1984/1985. Dorper lambs have inherent growth potential (ability to graze at an early age). Brown hair around the eyes, white teats, white under the tail and white hoofs are undesirable. Dorpers are the fastest growing breed in many countries. Australian Dorper and White Dorper Association Inc, Dorper Sheep Association of Czech Republic, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dorper&oldid=1130165072, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2013, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2011, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 December 2022, at 22:27. The breed does require the same care as other sheep to remain healthy and disease-free but is not known for getting ill. 9 DIY Reptile Enclosures You Can Build Today (With Pictures), What Smells Deter Cats from Peeing? In the early 1950s, a controversy arose concerning black markings vs. a pure white sheep. Also, do not feed them grain as it will cause them to become too fat and it is not economical. The Dorper sheep are easy to recognize due to their black heads. The sheep has a characteristic wide face and long body and comes in white. During the early 1930s, South African farmers exported a surplus of mutton and lamb, from the fat tailed indigenous breeds, to Londons prestigious Smithfield Market. Ewes have been running with Dorper ram. 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. To do so, they crossed British Dorset Horn rams with fat-tailed Blackhead . Last seen: 01/07/2017 - 16:28 Joined: 01/07/2017 - 15:01 Please Help! Although the Dorper has been bred in semi-arid conditions, they will adapt to life in arid and harsh climates. The Dorper skin is the most sought-after sheepskin in the world[citation needed] and is marketed under the name of Cape Glovers. Although the breed does require the same care as others, the Dorper is not known to get ill. Both of these will affect the total you will pay. Dorper sheep pros. 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. While young, growing grass may be tasty to Dorper sheep,it may lack nutrients. It also brings remarkable fertility, with the ability to breed every eight months and to produce a high number of twins. Its skin covering which is a mixture of hair and wool, will drop off if not shorn to keep it tidy. Also, a strong supporter of sustainable farming practices. Collagen is the material that forms the leather. The cost of Dorper sheep varies with purebred Dorpers being less expensive than fullblood Dorpers. The skin comprises a high percentage of the income (20%) in South Africa. Cross-breeding with this breed can cause a change in coloring and spots. Meat of excellent quality. Sheep need up to 5 gallons of fresh water per day. As with many cross breeds, the Dorper concentrated the best qualities of each breed. Sheep For Sale; Merchandise. Purebred Dorpers are less expensive than full blood, while Dorper and White Dorper cost around the same amount. One acre of land will generally house between three and six sheep. Important! At 21 weeks, it can gain weight more than 70 kg. The Dorper Sheep Breeders Society of South Africa was founded in 1950. Learn Natural Farming is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. It is a hardy animal, does not require shearing or crutching, and is less prone to suffer from flystrike. A Dorper lamb will reach a high weaning weight quite easily. But even in spite of its high cost, dorper sheep are widespread among farmers. Once you submit your order, full details for payment will be sent to you by email or sent via text using the phone number you are to provide . Katum smooth-haired sheep: description, advantages and disadvantages of the breed, Average weight of a sheep: a live adult, how much does a lamb carcass weigh, Who is considered the ancestor of domestic sheep: theories of origin, Fine-wool sheep breeding: the most famous breeds, breeding, Sheep milk cheese: types of cheese, how to make at home, Sheep breeding in the countries of the world, Areas of application of lamb fat, how to choose when buying, benefits and harms. Each of them had a good set of positive qualities that should have been beneficially combined in a new animal, which eventually happened. Dorper has gained much popularity mainly because of its resiliency and hardiness. Dorper sheep are native to the hot deserts of South Africa. Select Genes Ltd., Irene 1675, Republic of South Africa. 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. The Dorper is now well adapted in South Africa to a variety of climatic and conditions. These hair sheep breeds are self-shedding and require minimal effort to maintain. (With Pictures). Considered even-tempered sheep, Dorpers are easy to work with. Sheep form very close bonds with one another and may even physically stick up for their close friends. This can be eliminated by breeding with White Dorpers and will also better create the shedding characteristic. Click here to search for a member. Nutritional Effects on Parasites American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control The Dorper has a long breeding season which is not seasonally limited. Bred in the 1930s in South Africa, it was designed to thrive in challenging climates. A South African breed developed in the 1930's from Dorset Horned and Blackheaded Persians, Dorper sheep are prized for their mild-flavored meat, their hardiness under extreme climate conditions, and above all, their capacity [] Starter flocks are available and are an affordable way to get started with the Dorper sheep breed. It reputably does well in various range and feeding conditions and is also suited to intensive feeding. It is a medium-sized animal that is thick and well-muscled. This is one of the ways that this breed requires minimal work. The Dorper sheep is a breed of domestic sheep from South Africa. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Project initiated April, 1994 - Initial web site opened February 22, 1995. The Dorper has a thick skin which is highly prized and protects the sheep under harsh climatic conditions. In this case, the basis of the daily diet are hay and straw, grain, bran, silage and root crops, which are usually harvested for feeding animals in the cold season. Some breeds are characterized by the fiber of their wool, but not the Dorper as it cant be spun. . A breeding project was finalized in 1946 and the Dorper earned a prominent place in the history of South African agriculture. It is also not as prone to flystrike or parasitic infestation. For example, due to untimely cleaning of manure, they may develop hoof rot, not to mention the possible fractures or dislocations of the limbs with an inconvenient layout of the stall design. It has high fertility and maternal instinct, combined with high growth rates and hardiness. 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 Dorper sheep put on wool in cold climates and shed in warm weather. The breed was created through the efforts of the South African Department of Agriculture to breed a meat sheep suitable to the more arid regions of the country. The lambs grow quickly, reaching a weight of 80 to 90 pounds in four months. Originally bred in early 1940s, Dorper sheep are a cross from Dorset horned rams and Blackhead Persian ewes. Parent breeds included ultra-hardy, fat-tailed Blackhead Persian hair sheep and wool-bearing British Dorset . The Dorper sheep was bred in South Africa in the 1930s. $160 each or $3,000 for the lot. Dorper, Damara, Merino and X-Breed Lambs/Sheep 8x Ewes, 11x Wethers & 1x Young Dorper Ram. They are a good breed for beginners as well as experienced handlers, but they are a stocky breed and can be challenging to set up. It costs you nothing extra, and all recommended products are ones that I personally vouch for. Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. Dorpers are great because they can be fed regular pasture but they will also eat browse, very similarly to goats. In females, horns are completely absent, in rams they rarely grow and usually are two or three centimeter tubercles. This is especially important for pregnant females, as they are always deficient in nutrients and vitamins. Othersheep breedssuch as theVan Rooyare also believed to have contributed to the development of the White Dorper sheep breed.