Sheep is one of the most popular varieties of farm animals among foreign and domestic farmers . Breeds of sheep over centuries and millennia have been bred very different. Recently, dorpers - highly productive, unpretentious to feed and at the same time very hardy animals, have gained enormous popularity abroad.
A bit of history
Dorper is a breed of sheep bred in 1930 in the deserts of South Africa. Dorsets and Persian sheep were chosen as her parent breeders. Both of these varieties are characterized by high productivity and unpretentiousness. From dorsets, the dorper inherited the ability to frequent lambing, and from the Persian lamb - "baldness" and an unusual color. The first benefits of this South African breed were appreciated by Australian farmers. Later, Dorper began to be exported to the UK and the United States. Some time ago, these lambs appeared in Russia, however, so far in small quantities.
general description
Dorper is a very beautiful breed of sheep. One of the distinguishing features of these lambs is the unusual contrasting color. The dorper’s head is black, and the body is white. Therefore, these sheep look much more spectacular than most other varieties. Another major feature of the breed is the lack of hair. Some individuals have it, but very sparse and short. To learn this breed, among other things, you can also by kolosti. Dorper lamb horns do not.
The main advantages of the breed
Lack of wool is both an advantage and a disadvantage of dorper. On the one hand, the farmer has the opportunity to save on a procedure such as shearing. On the other hand, these animals can only be bred for meat. But in any case, in the content and breeding of dorper - lambs are very profitable. Indeed, due to the appearance of a large number of synthetic materials, wool is not in such great demand today as it once was. At the same time, meat is a product on the market that is invariably popular. For dorper, it is very tasty and has no characteristic smell.
The advantages of this breed include also:
Precocity. The uterus of dorper reaches puberty as early as 6-7 months of age. Baranchikov can be used as producers from 5 months.
The rapid increase in the herd population. The lambing of sheep of this breed, subject to good feeding, occurs twice a year. At the same time, one uterus almost never brings one. Most often in a litter two or three lamb. Sometimes the uterus gives birth to 4-5 cubs.
Endurance. Since this breed was bred for an area with very difficult climatic conditions, it can be bred in almost any region of the globe. For Russia, this breed is just perfect, as it is not afraid of the summer heat and winter frosts.
Unpretentiousness concerning food. The absence of rich pastures in the vicinity of the farm has absolutely no effect on the development and weight gain of these sheep. If there is no pasture , dorpers calmly switch to fallen leaves or simply begin to eat bushes and trees in much the same way as goats do.
Productivity indicators
Dorper - a breed of sheep is very precocious and rapidly gaining weight. This, of course, can also be attributed to its advantages. Dorpers are born very small. After all, as already mentioned, the litter is usually not one, but two or more babies. The weight of a newborn lamb averages only 3-3.5 kg. However, in the future, the kids begin to gain body weight at a record speed - almost half a kilogram per day. In adulthood, the weight of sheep dorper can reach about 50, sheep - 90 kg. These are actually very good indicators. The best sheep of this breed sometimes reach a weight of 75 kg. For sheep-champions, this figure often reaches 140-150 kg.
Breeding Features
Shearing sheep of this breed is an unnecessary procedure. In addition, the Dorper is very unpretentious. However, the farmer, of course, will have to spend money and create these sheep a comfortable living environment. In the summer, dorpers spend more time on the pasture. For wintering animals equip a spacious, bright, well-ventilated room. Inside it is divided into group stalls. For one individual in the room should be 1.5-3 m 2 area. Separate stalls are enclosed for uterus with lambs (2.5 m 2 per sheep and 0.7 m 2 for cubs). Among other things, it is recommended to arrange heating and ventilation in the shepherd. All cracks in the walls, windows and doors should be closed. Like all meat sheep, dorpers are sensitive to drafts.
In the stalls are placed feeders and drinking bowls, shot down in the form of long troughs. Their sizes should be such that the sheep do not push when eating.
Feeding
Dorpery can be grazed on any pasture, both natural and artificially sown. To the quality of feed, unlike representatives of most other breeds, these meat sheep are undemanding. But to get a better result, it is best, of course, to graze these lambs on the forbs and additionally give them concentrates and root crops. This will provide fast weight gain and maximum fertility.
In winter, dorper sheep are fed 3-4 times a day. The basis of the diet during this period should be roughage - hay and straw. In addition, animals can be given silage, root crops, bran, grain.
It is advisable to put water in the stalls for the sheep slightly salted or with mineral additives dissolved in it. One individual per day should account for 6-7 liters. In winter, it is advisable to heat the water.
To replenish mineral substances in the body of animals, lump salt is laid out in stalls. Also, various kinds of vitamin mixtures should be added to the feed. Of course, you should not give the sheep moldy grain or rotten root crops. The water intended for drinking should also be fresh.
Breeding
Since dorper cubs are born very small, the lambing of sheep of this breed usually pass without complications and quickly. Of course, in the stall where the uterus will be kids, it should be clean and dry. Feed lambs with offspring should be as good as possible. If vitamins are not enough in the milk of the uterus, the lambs can get sick. In addition to ensuring high-quality feeding, during this period, the farmer does not need to take any more action. The maternal instinct in dorper lambs is well developed, and they care for the lambs very well.
Young growth of this breed is developing rapidly. A few hours after birth, the lamb is able to jump and run around the stall. Therefore, separate uterus with litter is kept for no more than 2 weeks. You can finally take away the lambs from the mother at the age of three months.
Sheep diseases and their prevention
Dorper - a breed of sheep, among other things, is also very resistant to various infections. However, the hygiene rules in the shepherd still follow, of course, follows. The dorper room should be arranged in such a way that it is convenient for personnel to carry out periodic cleaning. Of course, these sheep, like any other, should be given the necessary preventive vaccinations. All newly acquired individuals are pre-quarantined.
Like other breeds, in case of violation of the content technology, dorpers can develop diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, brucellosis, infectious mastitis, smallpox, etc. Due to the bites of wild animals, graders can become infected with rabies during grazing. If symptoms of a contagious disease are identified, the animal is isolated from the herd and then consulted by a veterinarian.
If the manure in the stalls is not cleaned at the right time, sheep may develop hoof rot. Dorper animals are very active and mobile. In addition, they, like goats, like to climb "on top". As a result, sometimes they experience fractures of the extremities and sprains. In all these cases, of course, you will also need the help of a veterinarian.
Dorper in Russia
In our country, a variety of sheep species are bred. Dorper in Russia appeared recently. And unfortunately, this breed is not yet very popular with farmers. The Russian climate is not very favorable, these animals tolerate well, but they gain weight quickly on domestic feeds. However, they are very expensive in our country.
In addition, it is quite difficult to purchase a breed such as Dorper sheep in Russia. Specialized farming forums on the Internet even contain information on cases of fraud associated with the purchase of sheep of this breed.
Apparently, in connection with this, domestic livestock breeders still prefer not to purchase young dorper and not adult sheep, but to write frozen sperm of ram-producers from abroad. It is introduced in Russia most often by Landrace. It is also a very early and rather unpretentious meat sheep.
Price for young animals
Although in Russia dorpers are practically not bred, farmers still have the opportunity to buy such young animals. For example, these sheep are sometimes sold by intermediaries from South Africa. A ram dorper costs about 70-80 thousand rubles. For a sheep, they can ask for 50-60 thousand. Surely many farmers would like to know about how much a lamb of this breed costs. Young animals of such sheep are sold today, including some domestic breeding farms. Lambs of this breed are sold mainly in live weight (approximately 800-1000 rubles / kg).