Dorper lambing calculator download

Many breeders have written about how easy the dorper is to care for. Raising dorpers continues to be a pleasure for jennifer and i. Ewes and rams are considered purebred at 1516ths 93% dorper. A producers guide to production feeding for lamb growth. Both the flystrike chemical planner and the app allow you to view the main chemical groups and the relevant wool, local slaughter and export interval date for each chemical group. Reproduction efficiency and health traits in dorper, white. I would get the ram lambs weaned by 100 days of age. Worth mentioning is that weaning rates of dorper and white dorper lambs during the current study are higher than estimates by zishiri et al. However it does happen once in a while that a dorper will have scurs. This includes ewes that fail to get pregnant andor raise a lamb. These types of sheep pregnancy calendars required you to count the days until your sheeps due date. The dorper is a south african breed of domestic sheep developed by crossing dorset horn and the blackhead persian sheep. A threeyearold ewe from his white dorper stud recently had her second set of twins, giving birth to triplets in between. For producers wanting to improve the performance of their meatproducing enterprise, a good understanding of the current health of the business is essential.

We purchased our first dorper ram in 1997 and began a large crossbreeding program. If producers want to overwinter ewes for spring lamb production, then local breeds such as rangeraised, finewool ewes are an excellent choice. We are dedicated to produce excellent quality dorper breeding sheep for the show ring and commercial flocks. The sound of newborn lambs bleating for their mothers is just wonderful. You will also be able to enjoy pictures taken in our region, the central texas hill country, throughout the different seasons. They stay in the group and usually start lambing at right around a year old. Except for lambing in cold weather our sheep are wintered outside. Although the dorper breed was declared indigenous to south africa. These lambing rates compare favorably with some of the moderately. Performance of dorper sheep under an accelerated lambing. C o m proctivity est ractices 3 and protein intake for 3 to 5 days preweaning and then begin to increase energy intake 3 days postweaning improving it to a. It can sometimes be stressful for the anxious flockmaster or flockmistress as they await the birth of the years lambs and hope that there are no difficulties.

Choosing breeds for producing profitable market lambs. Using a fullblood dorper ram with our current flock of ewes which includes fullblood, purebred and percentage dorpers allows us to produce fullblood, purebred and percentage dorper lambs. Description of growth and feed efficiency of dorper lambs. Twin dorper lambs are generally between 7 to 9lb at birth, dorper ram lambs can weigh 100 lbs. Lambing dates can generally be anywhere from 144151 days from first bred date. Since the dorper breed is a meat type sheep, breeders can concentrate on meat quality and those breed attributes that increase profitability. Dorpers keep cost down while producing hardy, fast growing lambs with excellent carcass characteristics.

The sheep pregnancy calculator is a much simpler process to use than the customary sheep gestation chart. Dorpers are regarded as earlymaturing, and ewes lambed at an age of. Accelerated lambing is a more intensive system based on prolific ewes and high production that aims to produce market lambs and cash flow throughout the year. Sometimes, also called the sheep gestation calculator. For the past 3 years i have kept pretty much all the ewe lambs to grow my flock, so they dont ever get officially weaned. Pikkies springduin white dorper stud dates back to 1979, while his platklip dorper stud was started in the early 1990s. That dorper style is also evident by their heavy, boxy frame that is wide from the ground up. Productive performance of dorper sheep request pdf. More information about dorper sheep may be obtained at. Ewes were ex posed to three fixed 30d joining periodsyr to lamb during februarymarch first season, june july second season and octobernovember third season. Dorper sheep meat sheep white dorper lambs full blood dorper. Breeds of sheep are generally classified according to the breed assets.

It is now farmed in other areas as well, and is the second most common sheep breed in south. Dorper hair sheep of west african descent polypay continued on next page. It also takes into account any death losses that occur before marketing or retention. National research council nutrient requirements of sheep from nutrient requirements of sheep, sixth revised edition 1985, subcommittee on sheep nutrition, committee on animal nutrition, board on agriculture, nation research council, national academy press, washington, d. Breeds of livestock dorper sheep breeds of livestock. Feed conditions, day length, time of year, ewe condition are all factors which will influence rebreeding. This lambing calculator is based on a 147 day gestation period. I bred my fullbloods to shock for spring 2012 lambing. Located in central texas, our flock is made up of fullblood registered dorper sheep. The site uses simple language and pictures to illustrate the various topics. What is the gestation period for dorper sheep answers. Gestation in sheep varies from 142 to 152 days with the average being 147 days. Hikers saw that this neglected sheep could barely stand, so a shelter begged for experts to save him duration. In south africa, under extensive conditions, dorpers are consistently producing 150180% lamb crop.

Dorpers are regarded as earlymaturing, and ewes lambed at. The white dorper sheep are a very fast growing, heavily muscled sheep that have a high feed conversion and are extremely easy keepers. Tools and calculators for sheep and grazing management. Out of the 2 or 3time mothers of hair sheep breeds, you can start to expect twins thru quads. These types of sheep pregnancy calendars required you to count the days until your ewes due date. The white dorper sheep was selected and foundation animals were first acquired in 2004. The dorper is a hardy south african composite breed, derived from a cross between the blackheaded persian and the dorset horn.

Our 3 dorper sheep 1 ram and 2 ewes are from cedar view dorpers perth. We selected the white dorper breed for muscling, heartiness, forage utilization, excellent meat qualities and good mothering instinct. She is also very active in the working stock dog world, raising and training border collie dogs, some of which have qualified for and competed in, the national sheepdog finals and the national cattledog finals. Since the dorper breed is a meat type sheep, breeders can concentrate on meat quality and those breed attributes that increase. The 32 system is usually characterized by a fixed mating and lambing schedule, such as may matingoctober lambing, january matingjune lambing, and september matingfebruary.

By careful genetic selection they display consistency and quality true to the dorper sheep breed standards. Jun 18, 2018 except for lambing in cold weather our sheep are wintered outside. In a short time we realized the unbelievable growth traits and hardiness of the dorper were for real and purchased fullblood ewes. These iambs were removed from their mothers at one day of age, their body masses recorded and individually penned.

On our farm, where there is a much better quality of grazing, we are getting 200% lamb crop after the first lambing. Ram iambs scheduled to form the wether group were castrated by means of elastic rings within 24 hours after birth. Facts about lambing with hair sheep breeds countryside. Performance of dorper sheep under an accelerated lambing system 277 weight, type of birth was the single most important source of variation ac counting for 19. Lambing rate of dorper ewes in south africa was 141percent shoeman and burger, 1992 and has not been reported in the united states.

A rich heritage and modern farming methods meet at rainbow meadow farms. The lamb feedlotting industry in australia is poised for considerable expansion on the back of strong export demand for lamb. No shearing, less drenching, excellent weight gain on pasture, excellent mothering ability, and the list goes on. The dorper registry regulations allow for a breedingup program. The dorpers require little grain i do give some through the very harsh winters, and maintain condition on poorer pasture. The dorper sheep breeders society of sa was founded in 1950. The lamb on the left won san angelo, the lamb on the right was the ft.

With a flock of over head of fullblood and commercial dorper sheep we have sheep to fit any operation. The dorper lamb grows rapidly and attains a high weaning weight which again is an economically important characteristic in the breeding of mutton. I have had two sets of quintuplets out of 1,000 ewes lambing. However, it has evolved to date with limited industry support and a scarcity of evidence based guidelines. Since the onset of puberty depends largely upon body weight, ewe lambs should be provided adequate levels of nutrition to reach at least twothirds of mature weight before breeding. In october of 1996 the first event was held in cameron, texas with attendees from mexico, canada, south africa and several regions of the united states. A total of 78 dorper iambs, comprising 26 ewes, 26 rams and 26 wethers were used. Preventive chemical application is an important part of flystrike management in sheep. To calculate the sheep gestation using this calculator, just select the date of first mating and click the calculate button. Croix bred in summer, winter, or spring in the southeastern united states j.

This particular gestation calculator will enable you to determine the due date for your pregnant ewe female sheep. Just like people, individual pregnancies can vary, gestation periods of 8 to 159 days are not unheard of. Average weight for a dorper or white dorper ewe is 160220 pounds. American dorper sheep breeders society po box 259 hallsville, mo 652550259 telephone. Increasing your lamb crop series accelerated lambing cycles. The most common system of accelerated lambing is three lamb crops in two years, resulting in an average lambing interval of 8 months or 1.

A live weight of about 36 kg can be reached by the dorper lamb at the age of 3 4 months. It was developed in south africa and is now the second most popular breed in that country. While visiting our site, you will find a short description of the breed and photographs of some of our sheep. Much of the countrys sheep and grain growing regions are well placed to capitalise on feedlotting as they have. Dorper sheep rams at gsp dorper sheep and border collies. American dorper sheep breeders society members can have their fullblood 100% south african genetics and american purebred upgraded to 94% dorper genetics sheep officially inspected under the breed. B red for its lean, tender meat, its broad frame and ideal muscling, the dorper is a very good forager, tolerant to a broad range of conditions, capable of breeding yearround with increased lambing percentages. The breed was created through the efforts of the south african department of agriculture to breed a meat sheep suitable to the more arid regions of the country. Dorpers are nonselective grazers, easy keepers and to top it all off they are hair sheep. Ewe lambs that breed and lamb as yearlings generally have a greater lifetime production than ewes that have their that first lamb as 2 year olds. Two years alone in the wilderness escape the city to build off grid log cabin duration. This ensures a high quality carcass of approximately 16 kg. They are very adaptable and perform well in a wide range of australian environmental conditions. Australian dorper and white dorper sheep are true easy care sheep, returning maximum returns to the producer for minimal inputs in term of labour, resources and money.

Pasture lambing is done in spring in warmer weather and shelter is provided by wooded areas. Lambing records from 1984 to 1989 comprising 699 ewe lambing years were used. The lambing calculator is simple to use instead of the customary sheep gestation chart. We have traveled and sold sheep from coast to coast and to many foreign countries. Registered with the american dorper sheep breeders society. The dorper is the second largest breed in south africa and has spread to many other countries throughout the world.

Sheep have an average gestation period of 147 days. Breed standards american dorper sheep breeders society. Dorpers a pleasure to raise dorper sheep sales by half. University studies and dorper breeders have noted the vigor and will to live that the dorper lamb has. Ewes carrying multiple lambs tend to have shorter gestations while male lambs and heavy birth weight lambs are usually carried for. Two fullblood rams on offer at the agribition sale november 29th 2014. Data up to the spring of 2018 are actual lambing percentages from surveyed farms and are provisional for the spring of 2019 and estimated for 2020. This is strictly personal experience and observation after 15 years with dorpers. W e would like to share with you our operation and fondness for the dorper sheep, a relatively new breed of sheep on the north american continent.

Dorper sheep sales by half circle six ranches dorper. Both dorper and white dorper sheep thrive under range conditions where other breeds barely survive. This video is about nomuula dorpers and white dorpers moonbi nsw. Cost of production cop, measured in cents per kilogram, is an indication of the outlay required to produce each kilogram of meat for beef, sheep and goat. Nomuula dorpers and white dorpers moonbi nsw youtube. The dorper lamb grows rapidly and attains a high weaning weight which again is an economically important characteristic in the breeding of mutton sheep. In some areas rams are not removed from the flock and may ewes will lamb on an 89 month schedule.

It provides information on the most important aspects of intensive lamb finishing specifically relating to growth, found to be backed by published evidence. The purpose of sheep 101 is to teach 4h and ffa members, students, teachers, beginning shepherds, and the general public about sheep, their products, how they are raised, and their contributions to society. A lambing percentage of 150% can frequently be obtained with dorper sheep and white dorper sheep. The author of this article, ulf, is a frequent contributor to the cornell small farms program and can provide advice on your question. Judi mault, owneroperator of lazy j ranch, breed and raise full blood dorper sheep. The most common breeding program is annual lambing in which autumnmated ewes lamb in the spring.

Dorpers for sale twin ridges registered dorper sheep. However, to produce lambs for more lucrative markets, ewes are bred in early autumn or late summer to lamb in winter eg, january for the easter lamb market in march or april or bred in late spring to lamb in autumn eg, september for the christmas lamb market. So the ram lambs get weaned when are sent down the road. She is also very active in the working stock dog world, raising and training border collie dogs, some of which have qualified for and competed in, the national sheepdog finals. Lambing percentage is the percentage or number of lambs that you will market or retain from each ewe in the flock. These lamb out in just a few days and lamb either in a barn or nearby pasture. They are able to lamb three times in two years, and have lots of rich milk for raising. National research council nutrient requirements of sheep. Performance of dorper sheep under an accelerated lambing system. The dorper is an easy care animals that produces a fleece of little wool that is shed late spring summer.

The dorper lamb, being a meat sheep, grows rapidly, usually reaching a weaning weight of 80 pounds in 12 to 14 weeks. Lambing percentages in south africa of 150% are not uncommon, as well as an average fecundity of 160%. From a ewe on her second lambing, expect twins andor triplets. Dorper sheep sales by half circle six ranches dorper sheep. Dorper sheep, males and females are supposed to be polled, that is without horns. Stages of lambing warninggraphic photos red rope farm. The first business meeting was held and a board of directors was elected. Although white dorper ewes were less prolific, csizmar et al. Lewis white dorpers management, health and breeding. Breeding to the breed standard pays off farmers weekly. If it is assumed that the lambing percentage is 150% and that management is at such a level that ewes can lamb about three times in two years, a dorper ewe will produce 2. We selected this breed because of its outstanding characteristics, which include its overall field performance and temperament, its use in cross breeding programs without adding color to the progeny, coupled to the superior quality of the resulting meat product.