Dorper sheep

Muddyroads · Nov 4, 2018

We've chosen to use Dorpers as terminal sires on our Dorset ewe lambs. Initially bought a few couples with Dorper cross lambs and was impressed by them. Aseasonal breeding is important to us also.
Our first ram was not a great specimen and developed bad feet, though strangely has improved in his second year. We have since bought 2 from Springboks (nice to see you on here!). We've had a few all white crossbred lambs, but most have varying amounts of black on them.

Woolless · Nov 5, 2018

NZDan said:
Chevease is an Easycare x Cheviot than has been interbred I think the aim was to breed a Shedding cheviot type sheep.
I wonder is there a place for a shedding hill sheep? There are obviously a lot of shedders all ready in the hill breeds may be with a little selection a whole flock could be produced.

I think shedding hill flocks are an obvious route to go. Why gather to clip when most wool off hill ewes is worth a pittance?

Woolless · Nov 5, 2018

Muddyroads said:
View attachment 735116 View attachment 735118 View attachment 735120 We've chosen to use Dorpers as terminal sires on our Dorset ewe lambs. Initially bought a few couples with Dorper cross lambs and was impressed by them. Aseasonal breeding is important to us also.
Our first ram was not a great specimen and developed bad feet, though strangely has improved in his second year. We have since bought 2 from Springboks (nice to see you on here!). We've had a few all white crossbred lambs, but most have varying amounts of black on them.

Well, I don't know what the performance is like but if my kids see these pics, there will be a Dorper tup here ASAP!

unlacedgecko · Nov 5, 2018

NZDan said:
Plenty of Blackie, Cheviot, and welsh shedders with out crossing as well. Maybe an opportunity for an enterprising breeder.

Not the best photo, but an improved welsh (welsh x cheviot) dry ewe lamb shedding in April. Normally get 1 or 2 every year out of a mob of 300.

unlacedgecko · Nov 5, 2018

Woolless said:
I think shedding hill flocks are an obvious route to go. Why gather to clip when most wool off hill ewes is worth a pittance?

Tbh, unless one is keeping Merinos, I don’t get why anyone has woolly sheep...

Muddyroads · Nov 5, 2018

Woolless said:
Well, I don't know what the performance is like but if my kids see these pics, there will be a Dorper tup here ASAP!

That's exactly how they started with us, except that it was my wife who saw the lambs and decided we had to have them. In fairness, they do lamb easily and grow well.

Al R · Nov 5, 2018

unlacedgecko said:
Not the best photo, but an improved welsh (welsh x cheviot) dry ewe lamb shedding in April. Normally get 1 or 2 every year out of a mob of 300.

View attachment 735154

I can’t remember the exact number but I put 190 Glamorgan’s in for the shearers and roughly 25-30 didn’t need shearing, they don’t usually have wool either, it’s more hair.

NZDan · Nov 5, 2018

Al R said:
I can’t remember the exact number but I put 190 Glamorgan’s in for the shearers and roughly 25-30 didn’t need shearing, they don’t usually have wool either, it’s more hair.

More of them needed then.

Al R · Nov 5, 2018

NZDan said:
More of them needed then.

Yes but an ideal breed to cross shedders onto if some self shed anyway as opposed to a texel or mule or Romney....

Jim bean · Nov 5, 2018

No offence to muddy roads but those lambs show why white face dorpers are the way to go.

Muddyroads · Nov 5, 2018

Jim bean said:
View attachment 735514 No offence to muddy roads but those lambs show why white face dorpers are the way to go.

Do you think the white ones have better conformation?

dogjon · Nov 6, 2018

Dont know if they have better conformation but some of the White Dorpers seem to have more leg under them. Think I was told it was due to Van Rooy (sp?) genetics or something. Not a fan of the short stumpy legs but in the small sample I tried I thought the black headed ones had slightly better feet.

Jim bean · Nov 6, 2018

I don't know about the conformation ,black ones might well be better and have better feet. When you come to sell them in a market the black wool ones won't sell well because of the way they look.

Muddyroads · Nov 6, 2018

I certainly wouldn't argue with you. We have to produce what our customers want, but in fairness to the black and white Dorper cross lambs, I haven't had any problem selling them here. I guess it's a case of knowing your market.

Nithsdale · Nov 6, 2018

Woolless said:
I think shedding hill flocks are an obvious route to go. Why gather to clip when most wool off hill ewes is worth a pittance?

It's exactly the route I intend to go if I can get the hill I'm after/waiting on

Nithsdale · Nov 6, 2018

Muddyroads said:
I certainly wouldn't argue with you. We have to produce what our customers want, but in fairness to the black and white Dorper cross lambs, I haven't had any problem selling them here. I guess it's a case of knowing your market.

You're lucky, then.

I'd get hammered here, live, if I had those lambs to sell.
Real shame, as they look very good (I'm glad you have no issue selling them)

Muddyroads · Nov 6, 2018

We sell a small amount direct, with the majority going to a local wholesale butcher. Where I'm hoping to make a bit extra is through selling some of the skins though, as they are quite different, even compared to Jacobs.

Springboks · Nov 7, 2018

Muddyroads said:
View attachment 735116 View attachment 735118 View attachment 735120 We've chosen to use Dorpers as terminal sires on our Dorset ewe lambs. Initially bought a few couples with Dorper cross lambs and was impressed by them. Aseasonal breeding is important to us also.
Our first ram was not a great specimen and developed bad feet, though strangely has improved in his second year. We have since bought 2 from Springboks (nice to see you on here!). We've had a few all white crossbred lambs, but most have varying amounts of black on them.

Hi they like the sort of lambs that would be the same size as the ewes by 4 months .

Bones · Nov 7, 2018

Nithsdale Farmer said:
It's exactly the route I intend to go if I can get the hill I'm after/waiting on

What way would you go about creating your shedding hill ewe,?

Nithsdale · Nov 7, 2018

Bones said:
What way would you go about creating your shedding hill ewe,?

Only wool shedder which has ever sparked my interest is the White Dorper.

I'd breed up from my Lleyns.

Dorper sheep

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