Dorper is a breed of sheep. Description, characteristics and features of the content

Sheep are one of the most popular varieties of farm animals among foreign and domestic farmers. Breeds of sheep for centuries and millennia were derived very different. Abroad, in recent years, great popularity was obtained by dorpers - highly productive, unpretentious to feed and at the same time very hardy animals.

A bit of history

Dorper - a breed of sheep, bred in 1930 in the deserts of South Africa. Parental for her breeders were chosen dorset and Persian sheep. Both these varieties are characterized by high productivity and unpretentiousness. From dorsetes, dorpers inherited the ability to frequent lambing, and from the Persian lamb - "baldness" and unusual color. The first advantages of this South African breed were estimated by farmers of Australia. Later, dorpers began to be exported to the UK and the USA. Some time ago these sheep appeared and in Russia, though, in small quantities.

general description

Dorper - a sheep breed is very beautiful. One of the distinguishing features of these lambs is the unusual contrasting color. The head of dorpers is black, and the body is white. Therefore, these lambs look much more effective than most other species. Another main feature of the breed is the absence of wool. Some individuals have it, but very sparse and short. To learn this breed, among other things, it is also possible by the burr. There are no horns in dwarf lambs.

Main advantages of the breed

The absence of wool is both a virtue and a disadvantage of dorpers. On the one hand, the farmer has the opportunity to save money on carrying out such a procedure as shearing sheep. On the other hand, it is possible to breed these animals only for meat. But in any case, in the content and breeding of dorpers - lambs are very profitable. After all, because of the appearance of a large number of synthetic materials, wool today does not enjoy such huge demand as it once was. At the same meat - the product on the market is invariably popular. In dorpers it is very tasty and does not have a characteristic smell.

The advantages of this breed include:

• Early maturity. Uterine dorpers reach puberty as early as 6-7 months of age. Barants can also be used as a producer from 5 months.

• Rapid increase in livestock herd. Sheep of this breed of sheep, provided it is fed well, occurs twice a year. At the same time, one cub often does not bring the uterus. Most often in the litter two or three lambs. Sometimes the uterus gives birth and 4-5 calves.

• Endurance. Since this breed was derived for a terrain with very severe climatic conditions, it can be planted practically in any regions of the globe. For Russia, this breed is just perfect, as it is not afraid of summer heat and winter frosts.

• Uncomfortable with regard to food. The absence of rich pastures in the vicinity of the farm absolutely does not affect the development and weight gain of these sheep. If there is no pasture , dorpers safely pass to the fallen foliage or simply begin to eat shrubs and trees in about the same way goats do.

Performance Indicators

Dorper - a breed of sheep very early maturing and quickly gaining weight. This, of course, can also be attributed to its advantages. The dorpers are born very small. After all, as already mentioned, in the litter is usually not one, but two or more kids. The weight of a newborn lamb is only 3-3.5 kg on average. However, in the future, babies begin to gain weight with a record speed - almost half a kilogram per day. In the adult state, the weight of lamb dorper can reach about 50, rams - 90 kg. This is actually very good performance. The best sheep of this breed sometimes reach a weight of 75 kg. At rams-record holders this indicator often reaches up to 140-150 kg.

Features of breeding

Shearing of sheep this breed - the procedure is superfluous. In addition, dorpers are very unpretentious. However, of course, they will have to spend money and create comfortable lodging conditions for these lambs. In summer, dorpers spend more time in the pasture. For wintering, animals are equipped with a spacious, bright, well ventilated room. Inside it is divided into group stalls. One person in the room should have 1.5-3 m ^{2 of} area. For queens with lambs, separate stalls (2.5 m ² per sheep and 0.7 - for calves) are enclosed. In addition, it is recommended to equip the sheep-house with heating and ventilation. All cracks in the walls, windows and doors should be sealed. Like all meat sheep, dorpers are susceptible to drafts.

In the stalls are placed feeding troughs and drinkers, shot down in the form of long troughs. Their dimensions should be such that the sheep do not jostle during the meal.

Feeding

The grazing of dorpers can be done on any pasture, both natural and artificially sown. To the quality of feed, unlike the representatives of most other breeds, these meat sheep are undemanding. But to get the best result, it is best, of course, to graze these sheep on a herbage and additionally give them concentrates and root vegetables. This will ensure rapid weight gain and maximum fertility.

In winter, Dor-dovens are fed 3-4 times a day. The basis of the ration during this period should be coarse fodder - hay and straw. In addition, animals can be given silage, root crops, bran, grain.

It is desirable to put water in stalls to lambs slightly salted or with mineral admixtures dissolved in it. One person per day should have 6-7 liters. In winter, it is desirable to warm the water.

To replenish the animals in the mineral substances in the stalls lay out the lump salt. Also in the diet is to add a variety of vitamin blends. Of course, you can not give the sheep a moldy grain or rotten root crops. Fresh should be and intended for drinking water.

Reproduction

Since the young dorpers are born very small, lambing of this breed usually passes without complications and quickly. Of course, in the stall where the uterus is to be nursed, it must be clean and dry. Feed the sheep with the offspring should be as good as possible. If the milk of the uterus is not enough vitamins, lambs can get sick. In addition to providing quality feeding, during this period the farmer does not need to take any more actions. The maternal instinct of the Dorchester lambs is well developed, and they take care of the lambs very well.

The young growth of this breed is developing rapidly. A few hours after birth, the lamb is able to jump and run on the stall. Therefore, separately the uterus with a litter is kept no more than 2 weeks. Finally, you can take the lambs away 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 all sorts of infections. However, the rules of hygiene in the sheepfold all the same, of course, should be followed. The room for dorpers should be arranged in such a way that it is convenient for the staff to carry out periodic cleaning. Of course, these sheep, like any other, should make the necessary preventive vaccinations. All newly acquired individuals are previously placed in quarantine.

As with other breeds, durpers with the violation of content technology can develop such diseases as foot and mouth disease, brucellosis, infectious mastitis, smallpox, etc. Due to the bites of wild animals during grazing, dorpers can become infected with rabies. When symptoms of any infectious disease are identified, the animal is isolated from the herd and then referred to the vet.

If the manure in the stalls is not cleaned in time, hoof can develop in sheep. Dorpers are very active and mobile animals. In addition, they, like goats, like to climb "on top". As a result, sometimes they have fractures of limbs and sprains. In all these cases, of course, also need the help of a veterinarian.

Dorpers in Russia

A variety of breeds of sheep are bred in our country. Dorpers in Russia appeared only recently. And unfortunately, this breed is not very popular with farmers yet. The Russian is not very favorable climate, these animals tolerate well, the weight on domestic food is gaining rapidly. However, they are very expensive in our country.

In addition, it is quite difficult to acquire such a breed as the Dorpas sheep. At specialized farmers' forums on the Internet, there is even information about cases of fraud related to the purchase of sheep of this breed.

Apparently, in this regard, domestic cattle breeders still prefer to buy not young dorpers and not adult sheep, but to write frozen semen of rams from abroad. Introduce it in Russia most often Landrace. It is also very early and fairly unpretentious meat sheep.

Price for young

Although in Russia dorpery practically are not divorced, with a great desire to buy such young growth farmers have the opportunity all the same. For example, these sheep are sometimes sold by intermediaries from South Africa. The ram-doper costs about 70-80 thousand rubles. For a lamb, 50-60 thousand people can be asked. Probably many farmers would like to know about the cost of this lamb's lamb. Young animals of such sheep are now selling, including some domestic breeding farms. Lambs of this breed are realized basically on a live weight (approximately 800-1000 rub / kg).