Do Dorper sheep need to be sheared? 

The Dorper sheds its fleece avoiding the need for labor intensive shearing. Complete fleece shedding are influenced by a number of factors. The hair / wool ratio will be a factor also the shedding ability of the dam and sire and their genetics. The animal is characteristically meaty with a  covering of hair and wool  with a  clean underline. 

 

Why are the full-blood sheep expensive?

There a very few full-bloods sheep there fore it is the supply and demand that establishes the prices.

Are Dorper sheep resistant to disease?

If in a problem area vaccinations are more important as with any sheep.

Do Dorpers respect fences?

Well-constructed fences are very important. Dorper sheep will search for feed if pasture gets short. They do respect electric fences if a high enough voltage is used.

How long do Dorper sheep live?

In  Canada as in South Africa longevity is dependant on the range conditions. Very short grass results in more tooth wear than longer grass. Many animals are still in use at 8-10 years.

Do Dorpers have horns?

With prominent poll genes the Dorper breed is bare-headed. Females and most rams are polled. Some rams may have scurs and a few may have light horns which at weaning can be stunted.

How big are Dorper sheep?

Dorper size is deceptive due to their short legs. Ewes will mature at 175-200 pounds and Rams over 225.

Are the lambs vigorous at birth?

Dorper lambs are born hungry with lots of energy. It is not uncommon to see lambs nursing within 10 minutes of delivery and trying to hop around  within an hour.

Is the meat palatable?

A research done in the  United States  found Dorper sired lambs significantly more tender and palatable than those sired by a common sire breed, when tested mechanically and with a taste panel. Their hide is a sough after product which is used in making fine leather products.

Are Dorper sheep registered?

Two categories exist for White Dorpers and Dorpers. Those animals of 100% South African blood are full-bloods. Sheep that are a result of the grading-up program are Canadain purebreds when ewes are 7/8 and rams15/16 pure. This is accomplished by using  Dorper rams of your color selection on non-Dorper ewes and the resulting generations of increasing Dorper blood. Three crosses are needed to reach the 7/8 and four are needed for the 15/16e.

 

How old are they before breeding?

The  recommendations are to wean rams at 100 days to prevent them from breeding their dams. If large in size, they can be bred to a limited number of ewes at 6-7 months of age. Ewes should weigh 100+ and be 7 months of age. They will be more fertile if bred at 9-10 months of age.

How many ewes can a ram serve?

On Normal conditions ram lambs can serve 15-20 ewes and mature rams can cover 75 ewes. The Dorper is polyestrous (can breed continually, with no defined season). Their breeding intervals can be as short as 8 months or 3 times in 2 years.

How hardy are Dorper sheep?

The Dorpers have the ability to thrive in harsh conditions such as in Canadian winters.

How economical are Dorpers sheep?

The Dorper are an economical breed because of their excellent feed utilization and conversion, as in wool breeds around 20% of feed is converted into wool production there fore  feed is converted into producing fine meat instead of wool.

If you have any other questions please feel free to email me at Vwatson@eidnet.org