The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: waterbuffalofarmer on October 23, 2015, 09:18:03 pm
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How much would be the average price to pay for a black headed Dorper ewe lamb? and which would be the best breeders to go with? I have seen prices between 175-200 ££s, is this the average? Would be good to know your opinions guys
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They suffer on their feet. Bad thing in West Wales
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Dorpers are a minority breed here in UK so scarcity means they will command the prices you quote I think
We used a few rams and they are terrible on their feet (bred in an arid climate, the opposite of Wales)
Think we had 4 rams of which 1 never bred because he couldn't walk at tupping time(had to be shot on farm eventually), the other 3 were culled after 1 season because they also had very bad feet problems
If I have a lame ewe now I can put good money on it being related to one of these rams somehow
Just my experience
They look pretty though with they distinctive black head and have good growth rates but poor shedding ability
There is a Dorper society website----go see some sheep if you want some, if you see a permanent footbath setup you will know why
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A friend who breeds champion Lleyns bought some for her son for Christmas a few years ago, got rid of them by the summer,
bad feet.
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They were not created with the UK in mind. These sheep are for more arid climes. I am sure in time a few dedicated breeders will make a line that is good on wet ground but that is still a work in progress. Gorgeous looking sheep though!
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We used a few rams and they are terrible on their feet (bred in an arid climate, the opposite of Wales)
Think we had 4 rams of which 1 never bred because he couldn't walk at tupping time(had to be shot on farm eventually), the other 3 were culled after 1 season because they also had very bad feet problems
If I have a lame ewe now I can put good money on it being related to one of these rams somehow
Just my experience
Was their bad feet down to footrot, scald or shelly hoof?
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You name it ---they managed to get it in the feet!
I think the problem lies in that they were bred in an arid climate & are probably not used to such wet conditions nor the good grub
Hence the wet encourages scald/rot and their feet do tend to grow a bit faster than other types too
But they do grow well (if you can keep them standing up)
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For the life of me I can't understand why we have over 60 breeds of sheep in this country (some declining rapidly) and people still want to stock sheep breeds from further a field. Can anybody please enlighten me as to the benefits excluding the 'novelty factor' ?? :huff:
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For the life of me I can't understand why we have over 60 breeds of sheep in this country (some declining rapidly) and people still want to stock sheep breeds from further a field. Can anybody please enlighten me as to the benefits excluding the 'novelty factor' ?? :huff:
Maybe a new thread?
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Thanks for the comments guys, I really appreciate it. They were for a long time a breed I found fascinating. I think I will admire them from afar ;D thanks again by the way guys, always good to hear your opinions.
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For the life of me I can't understand why we have over 60 breeds of sheep in this country (some declining rapidly) and people still want to stock sheep breeds from further a field. Can anybody please enlighten me as to the benefits excluding the 'novelty factor' ?? :huff:
Go to it, Shotblast! As passionate (OK, some folks might say "barmy") native breed conservationists it's great when someone else takes the baton and runs with it.
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For the life of me I can't understand why we have over 60 breeds of sheep in this country (some declining rapidly) and people still want to stock sheep breeds from further a field. Can anybody please enlighten me as to the benefits excluding the 'novelty factor' ?? :huff:
Maybe a new thread?
Your wish is my command :thumbsup: