[milly molly]

Their are some easy care ewes available near me I'm considering but really keen on Dorpers but a bit too pricy ATM , I know of a dorper ram lamb available near too, question is if I cross the easy care with the dorper till I get some dorper girls will the offspring still be self shedding?

Mandy

[roddycm]

A dorper should shed, but they don't all shed so you need to ask the breeder what theirs are like. In breeding for the show ring some breeders have deprioritized the self shedding issue despite dorpers being hair sheep! So just double check, as long as it's a shedding line you should have no issues!

[Tim W]

Dorpers will;

Improve carcase yield and conformation
Increase fat (not always a bad thing)
Decrease shedding ability by roughly 15 to 20% (shedding score analysis)
Increase foot problems by lots

I used some Dorper genetics in the mix and went from 2 cases of footrot + 20 cases scald to 120 cases foot rot and uncountable scald in 1 generation
Remove the Dorper influence and the problem disappeared

They are bred for an arid environment and suffer in our wet climes (and I am predominantly on free draining chalk)

[roddycm]

This is true, their feet were made for dry hard wearing ground in south Africa not rainy old blighty although I am sure that will change as British breeders select for better feet...

[Tim W]

This is true, their feet were made for dry hard wearing ground in south Africa not rainy old blighty although I am sure that will change as British breeders select for better feet...

the trouble being that the breeders I have visited tend to use a regular footbath instead of selection as (and I quote) 'they are too valuable to cull' 

[milly molly]

Thanks guys, as half my paddock is underwater ATM you've given me food for thought, will speak to the breeder


Mandy