Dorper and Barbados sheep

[TheSheepGirl]

I am looking at some Barbados and some Dorper Rams today. Has anyone had any experience with these breeds before?

 

[judyc]

We have Dorpers. They are pretty darned calm for sheep. I had Dall Sheep before. (pretty darned squirrely) I have a couple of Kathadins, but Hubby doesn't care for them too much. The cross really grows well. The Dorpers add a nice rump.

I hear they are taking over Down Under.

 

[nissa_loves_cats]

I have owned 2 White Dorper rams which I have bred to my Shetland ewes, and from that breeding now have a small herd of excellent White Dorper percentage sheep.

The Dorper rams are very calm and easygoing. Especially compared to my little Shetland rams who tend to have a violent streak.

My current White Dorper ram, 'Wild about Harry', is friendly enough to come up to me and be petted.

The ShetlandxDorper cross works very well by the way. I was told that it would take several generations of breeding to Dorpers before I would have sheep who shed their wool annually. But with Shetlands (who have a tendency to grow wool in annual coats) I've had good shedding on the 50% White Dorpers.