Dorper Sheep
About
The Dorper breed was developed in South Africa in the 1930's with the cross breeding of the Blackhead Persian ewes with a Dorset Horn ram. This breed was created for the production of meat, as opposed to other sheep that were originally bred for wool but also used for meat. Originating in South Africa, this had made the Dorper sheep produce a high quality carcass under extensive conditions, thus have the reputation of rapid weight gain, excellent carcass conformation and fantastic fat distribution.
There are two types of Dorper sheep; they can be either Black Dorper – white body with black head and neck, or white (commercial) Dorper, which, as the name suggests, is white all over. However, not all Dorper sheep follow a uniform pattern with their coloring, with purebred Dorpers staying true to their form, but unless pure animals, can have patches or be almost totally black sheep.
Our flock on the farm are Black Dorpers, and can be seen with their black heads and white bodies.
The Dorpers, whether white or black, is a solid sheep that is small compared to most sheep breeds. It is bare along its belly and legs and also around the breech. Most well-bred Dorpers are 100% self-shedding, although this may not become apparent until the sheep has reached its’ second season of shedding. This means that there is no need to sheer this breed.
Breeding
The Dorper is one of the only breeds of sheep that is polyoestrus. This means that they are capable of producing young 3 times in 2 years, as opposed to most other breeds that will produce young once per year, usually in late winter/early spring.
Prone to producing twins, they are very protective mothers and if in good condition, they will successfully rear twins with ease. This is why you will often find many of our ewes with two very healthy lambs throughout the year.
We do sell stock from time to time and details can be found on our for sale page. However Dorper is a meat breed much in demand by restaurants and the public alike and sells out very quickly.
We tend to rear / supply hogget and mutton when available.
The Dorper breed was developed in South Africa in the 1930's with the cross breeding of the Blackhead Persian ewes with a Dorset Horn ram. This breed was created for the production of meat, as opposed to other sheep that were originally bred for wool but also used for meat. Originating in South Africa, this had made the Dorper sheep produce a high quality carcass under extensive conditions, thus have the reputation of rapid weight gain, excellent carcass conformation and fantastic fat distribution.
There are two types of Dorper sheep; they can be either Black Dorper – white body with black head and neck, or white (commercial) Dorper, which, as the name suggests, is white all over. However, not all Dorper sheep follow a uniform pattern with their coloring, with purebred Dorpers staying true to their form, but unless pure animals, can have patches or be almost totally black sheep.
Our flock on the farm are Black Dorpers, and can be seen with their black heads and white bodies.
The Dorpers, whether white or black, is a solid sheep that is small compared to most sheep breeds. It is bare along its belly and legs and also around the breech. Most well-bred Dorpers are 100% self-shedding, although this may not become apparent until the sheep has reached its’ second season of shedding. This means that there is no need to sheer this breed.
Breeding
The Dorper is one of the only breeds of sheep that is polyoestrus. This means that they are capable of producing young 3 times in 2 years, as opposed to most other breeds that will produce young once per year, usually in late winter/early spring.
Prone to producing twins, they are very protective mothers and if in good condition, they will successfully rear twins with ease. This is why you will often find many of our ewes with two very healthy lambs throughout the year.
We do sell stock from time to time and details can be found on our for sale page. However Dorper is a meat breed much in demand by restaurants and the public alike and sells out very quickly.
We tend to rear / supply hogget and mutton when available.
