Awassi sheep originated in the Syro-Arabian desert. South African / Namibian Sheep Description: A fat tail sheep with varying colours, either solid colour or patchy. Although Damaras have been in New Zealand for a number of years, they are still considered very rare. The Damara sheep is a fat-tailed indigenous sheep breed originating from the Asiatic mouflon (Ovis orientalis or O. gmelini), that has over centuries tracked across Africa from Asia. Damaras are now widely found in South Africa, where in the short time they have been farmed, they have gained an enormous popularity. They produce a high quality hide that is used in products such as furniture or fashion. They are early maturing, and can average a lambing every eight months, with a high proportion of twins. They are quite resistant to most sheep diseases and parasites, in fact, most farmers who farm them say they most every have to deworm their sheep … In many ways they have the temperament and requirements of goats, without the nuisance factor. Inspection by arrangement. The … They can be either polled or horned. Although they are well suited to arid conditions, they are also found in a range of other habitats ranging from minus 20 degrees of cold and snow in Canada, through to high rainfall tropical forests in New Guinea. Unlike other breeds of sheep, Damaras have not undergone color selection and so come in every color and color combination possible. Have run with alpacas, llamas and pigs and good at pinching food from any of them. They are a 'hair sheep,' growing only a short woolly coat in the winter, which is shed in the spring. However, currently there are approximately 1200 flocks of pedigree Swaledale sheep … The Dorper sheds its fleece during the warmer months – late Spring/Summer. Enquiries to Willowbank Farm – www.willowbankfarm.co.nz. Some of the other old sheep breeds in South Africa are Damara sheep, Pedi, Black Persian sheep, and Zulu sheep. (119 to 127 kilograms), though they can grow to over 300 lbs. Sheuneni Kurasha is a farmer specialising in stud breeding in boran cattle, boer goats and damara sheep, as well as dairy farming. Also Wiltshire x Wiltipol rams. Ewes, or female bighorn sheep, typically weigh 30 to 40 percent less than the rams, according to the National Bighorn Sheep Cen… do nothing to improve the damara frame – they tend to be tall and rangy like greyhounds. Damaras are the ultimate easy care sheep. It is named after the region where it was originally found and is a very hardy breed. I wouldnt be buying the most expensive least known about sheep in NZ until I had experience with sheep husbandry for a couple of years Temperament is also important to me. We see a huge potential for these sheep genetics in the future of agriculture, and are committed to continuing to develop a flock based on the best of New Zealand's genetics. The sheep in New Zealand have been imported as embryos, from various Studs in Australia. They are excellent mothers and should never require assisted lambing. Beautiful corn /lucerne hay fed animals with good temperament and self shedding. We are happy where possible to meet intending purchaser's requirements, but recommend any early enquiries. … Far less evidence of ticks, but no obvious change in susceptibility to buffalo fly. Merino sheep are medium sized animals with very beautiful appearance. For feedback, kindly get in touch on … Rocky Mountain bighorn rams have massive horns that weigh more than all of the bones in their bodies. (14 kg). Dorpers are known as a low maintenance, easy care breed which can adapt easily to a variety of conditions, are non-selective graziers and are one of the only breeds that thrive in harsh conditions. From these the smallest were selected, and later a tiny jack from English parents was introduced, followed a few years later by a small coloured sire. Rams are typically 5 to 6 feet tall (1.5 to 1.8 meters) from head to tail, and weigh 262 to 280 lbs. The Meatmaster sheep is another South African-developed meat breed, bred from the Damara, Dorper, Van Rooy and Ile de France breeds. In particular, it is renown for being one of the highest milk producing sheep in the world.. The Willowbank Farm Miniature Donkey Stud was established in 1976, with the importation of approximately forty donkeys from Australia. Smooth sleek skin/hair. A calm temperament with a vigorous appearance is the ideal. Has the ability to store fat in its tail and uses it as a backup energy source during dry periods. Oct 17, 2015 - Many homesteaders raise sheep because they are a cheap investment, have a docile temperament, reproduce quickly, and are fairly self-sufficient animals. A clean shedding sheep can usually be produced by the third cross using a Wiltshire ram over Coopworth or Dorper or similar ewes. The most impressive thing about the Damara is not one thing, but the combination of such a large number of factors being found in one breed. These are the result of an embryo importation program which began in 2008. Global warming and lifestyle farming will push this breed and its composites into the future. These are among other animals that have improved the living standards of many South African farmers. The sheep should be symmetrical and well-proportioned. American Dorper Sheep Breeders’ Society PO Box 259 Hallsville, MO 65255-0259 Telephone: 573-696-2550 Fax: 573-696-2030 E-mail: ADSBSoffice@centurytel.net Figures Available birth weight figures for single lambs are between 3.7-6.4 kg (average 4.7 kg) and for twin lambs 2.7- 6.0 kg (ave 4 kg). The Damara stud was founded in 2006. A set of horns can weigh 30 lbs. She is always the first at the fence to talk to me. Coloured sheep may occur in all breeds and some people like to cross breed for certain traits, so the Black and Coloured Sheep Breeders Association of Australia is of interest to some breeders, spinners and weavers - the NSW branch has a website, as does the Vic branch and they have a Facebook page. The Damara sheep originated with the Himba people of Namibia, and are characterised by their colourful hairy (not wool) coats, fat tails and ability to thrive in … Some exotic diseases also cause skin irritation to sheep. They come in a wide range of colours, and most have unique coat patterns. Katahdin Sheep work very well in a variety of production situations as a low-maintenance, easy care sheep. It is highly prepotent, and stamps its mark strongly on any cross breeding programme that may be entered into. “The animals’ stable temperament and small size means that the children can take an active part in the day-to-day management of the stud,” says Carina. They are what what is known as a 'fat-tail' variety of sheep, but are probably better described as being 'fat-rumped.' Finally, the first 4-Horn sheep in Australia! Nothing could be further from the truth - as it's YOU that has the problem and not the sheep. legged, good shedding, thick bodied, calm temperament sheep, with most of the good features of damara and improvements in the faults in dorper. Damaras are the ultimate easy care sheep. Learn about the Barbados blackbelley sheep and how they may be an ideal breed for the small acreage or beginning farmer. They have been exported to places such as New Caledonia, and there has been an increasing interest over the last few years. 2019 and 2020 drop. The Damara is a hardy sheep breed from Africa. Cover or fleece. She will follow me round like a puppy dog. The chemicals registered for lice treatment on sheep can be used on fleece-shedding sheep. Angora goats as fibre producers are lower maintenance than Merino sheep, not requiring tail docking or mulesing, although they do require shearing twice a year and wigging and crutching at 4 months fibre growth. The Dorper is known to be resistant to parasites and diseases which also reduces the need to drench and use treatments for protection. Finally they have a temperament a friend of ours described as “fractious” – the mules of the sheep world. Damara Sheep. Of interest, as Damaras went into decline from an estimated flock size of 100,000 in Queensland to less than 50,000 and Dorpers increased in favour, Damara cross ewes were and are used as a desirable dam for breeding up programs by many Qld meat sheep producers with outstanding results and high market acceptance of their “meat master” lambs. No shearing, no crutching, no tailing, and resistant to fly strike. Body lice (Bovicola ovis) infestation can occur on fleece-shedding and haired sheep, causing irritation and rubbing. Damara; African 4-Horn; African 4-Horn Sheep. They are excellent foragers and browsers, doing equally as well on poor unimproved pastures, as on good grasses. The world record litter size for sheep is held by a Romanov ewe that bore nine lambs (most sheep have one or two). By Dr Clive Dalton Set of sheep yards to handle 1500 sheep built at the Whatawhata Hill Country Research Station by Farm Manager Joe McLean in 1980s. They can be hardy and adaptable, but prefer dry conditions. If your sheep is unwell, take its temperature rectally, which normally should be 38.3 to 39.9, and if it is elevated call your vet. The Khoikhoi community are the people who brought the ancestors of Afrikaner sheep breeds into South Africa from the Middle East. Cassie is our leading Damara lady; she shows her age a little but still produces fantastic lambs. Sheep die very quickly, so speed is essential in treating the sick sheep. And the association is an active organization point for Swaledale sales, shows, breeding and products. Once in good numbers throughout their home countries, South Africa and Australia, the Damara now faces extinction through indiscriminate cross breeding. Peronally, if I was new to sheep I would be getting a tried and true breed or cross breed to start to learn about sheep and sheep care. It was based on an initial two rams and three ewes, to which other animals from different importations have been added. Enquiries to Willowbank Farm – www.willowbankfarm.co.nz. It was registered with the New Zealand Sheepbreeders' Association in 2010. Damara and Damara x Wiltshire Rams for sale. They produce a high quality, fat free meat, ranking highly in tenderness and taste tests. Sheep in modern…, Krinkhout Stud: Damara Sheep, Northern Cape Lob-Eared Speckled Goats (Kaapse Skilderbokke) Groblersdal and Marble Hall, in Limpopo. Our herd blends South African and Texan genetics in an approximately 3:1 ratio, with a touch of Australian blood. Temperament is dramatically improved – in general, much quieter weaners. Meatmaster Sheep. If you are sick of steak, add some easy care damara, dorper or meatmaster sheep to your enterprise. Damaras are a breed of sheep that migrated down from North Africa, and ended up in Namibia. Both of these are indigenous to South Africa and Namibia. There has been little regulated or recorded breeding, but recently flocks have registered with the New Zealand Sheepbreeders' Association, which will see the establishment of a sounder genetic base for the breed. Katahdins have generated a great deal of interest from all parts of North America. We have members from Mexico to Northern Canada and have exported to Ecuador, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, United Kingdom, Chile, and Central America. And the horned version has long and spiral horns, which grow close to the head. Credited to its history is this breed’s ability to lamb throughout the year and also to thrive in the arid and semidesert conditions of southern Namibia [ 5 ]. Awassi is an extremely hardy breed, with a very calm temperament, used for a range of products to include milk, meat and wool. They have been exported to a number of countries and have done particularly well in Australia. No shearing, no crutching, no tailing, and resistant to fly strike. Damara ram approx 11months old quite temperament He was part of a flock we brought and believe hes related so need to move him on 5in1 and drenched 4 weeks ..., 1255833458 This ancient Russian sheep does grow a coat of wool, though it is naturally shed in the summer. Before treating for lice, confirm that they are present and ensure that other possible causes of rubbing have been ruled out. They were based on the MAF Bulletin 353 Sheep are smart animals If you try to keep sheep and you don't have decent handling facilities (pens or yards), then you will soon start to hate them and declare that they are stupid animals. They have a strong flocking instinct, which makes for ease of handling. More information Damara Sheep ~ the fat-tailed variety. Pick up from Currency Creek , South Australia. The polled version has no horns, or has a very small stubs, known as scurs. Genomics isn’t a panacea that will offer answers to all questions. 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