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Some damara sheep pics - new pics!
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<blockquote data-quote="Keren" data-source="post: 647566" data-attributes="member: 3195"><p>Truer words never were spoken. </p><p></p><p>The trends that have been going through the Aust. meat sheep industry lately are playing havoc with many good breeds. They are breeding for extremes ... extreme frame score and muscling, the Poll Dorsets that get to the shows lately are bigger than shetland ponies. Rams are needing two men to get them shorn. And they are eating like horses too. The Dorpers are just one of many breeds having fertility and femininity issues. Although they are not as bad as the merino lol Temperament has been swept under the rug. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I've been on the receiving end of agression from both ewes and rams. Mainly when they are yarded, they just tend to turn around and run through you. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I found them to be hard on the fences too. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Both, for some reason I always found the black head ones to do better, the lambs were heavier at weaning. </p><p></p><p>I ended up getting four damara ewes. I tried to pick out ewes that were a little bigger, sturdier made and showed better muscle than the others. But I also kept in mind what you said and looked for the ones that carried the extra meat while still conforming to that breed standard of long legs, long lean body. Of the four, three are very tall, long, leggy ewes while still being more solid than the others. The fourth one doesnt quite show that breed character, she's a framey ewe but is deeper bellied, slightly shorter bodied, more squat without the long, rangey look to her. But I couldnt pass her up when I looked over the top of her and she's so thick and wide over the top you could eat your dinner off her. Brilliant eye muscle. The ram they are joined to is a very long, tall and rangy ram but great muscling on him, so I think that should improve her lamb in that regard. </p><p></p><p>I've seen some damara dorper crosses and they looked like good sheep ... whether the temper is any better than the straight dorper I dont know. </p><p></p><p>I'm reasonably happy with the temper of these ewes ... they are flighty but they havent seen humans for months. I'll see if they tame down with feed and handling. The Van Rooys didnt. I was pleased that while the damaras were scared, they didnt jump out even when pressured and separated from others, whereas the Van Rooys did jump.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Keren, post: 647566, member: 3195"] Truer words never were spoken. The trends that have been going through the Aust. meat sheep industry lately are playing havoc with many good breeds. They are breeding for extremes ... extreme frame score and muscling, the Poll Dorsets that get to the shows lately are bigger than shetland ponies. Rams are needing two men to get them shorn. And they are eating like horses too. The Dorpers are just one of many breeds having fertility and femininity issues. Although they are not as bad as the merino lol Temperament has been swept under the rug. I've been on the receiving end of agression from both ewes and rams. Mainly when they are yarded, they just tend to turn around and run through you. I found them to be hard on the fences too. Both, for some reason I always found the black head ones to do better, the lambs were heavier at weaning. I ended up getting four damara ewes. I tried to pick out ewes that were a little bigger, sturdier made and showed better muscle than the others. But I also kept in mind what you said and looked for the ones that carried the extra meat while still conforming to that breed standard of long legs, long lean body. Of the four, three are very tall, long, leggy ewes while still being more solid than the others. The fourth one doesnt quite show that breed character, she's a framey ewe but is deeper bellied, slightly shorter bodied, more squat without the long, rangey look to her. But I couldnt pass her up when I looked over the top of her and she's so thick and wide over the top you could eat your dinner off her. Brilliant eye muscle. The ram they are joined to is a very long, tall and rangy ram but great muscling on him, so I think that should improve her lamb in that regard. I've seen some damara dorper crosses and they looked like good sheep ... whether the temper is any better than the straight dorper I dont know. I'm reasonably happy with the temper of these ewes ... they are flighty but they havent seen humans for months. I'll see if they tame down with feed and handling. The Van Rooys didnt. I was pleased that while the damaras were scared, they didnt jump out even when pressured and separated from others, whereas the Van Rooys did jump. [/QUOTE]
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