Damara Sheep

[Tegs]

Gentle natured, purebred Damara ram for sale. “Trevor” is a proven breeder and is an ideal working ram or mild mannered lawnmower - $100. We also have 3 lambs (2 weathers, 1 ewe) almost ready for the freezer. Finnish fattening them up or keep them as pets - $50 each.

[ppp]

hi tegs

I'm quite interested.. we were talking about looking for dorpers though.. can you tell us more about damara 's?

[Tegs]

Hi PPP,

Damara's are a shedding sheep just like the Dorpers however they seem to be a little bit hardier. However the trade off for them being so hardy is that they seem to take a little bit longer to grow if you are looking at them for meat production. The reason we are selling our ram is because we have just purchased a Dorper ram to try and increase the "meatiness" of the lambs. If you ask a Doper breeder which meat they prefer they will always say the Doper is far superior but ask a Damara breeder the same question and they will tell you that Damara meat is by far the best. It all comes down to personal preference I suppose. Take at look at both the Damara and Doper association web sites, we have found them very informative.

I hope this helps

[ppp]

thanks for that.. I have rightly had it pointed out that our fences aren't (quite) finished.. we've come a long way.. don't hold them for me, but hopefully I'll get back to you...

[Tegs]

Hi PPP,

When you are ready to get some sheep feel free to contact me. We are in the process of moving across to Dorpers and should some have some Doper x Damara lambs in about six months.

Good luck with your fencing

[ppp]

thanks re luck, not sure it's luck though.. just a case of getting on with it.
by the way, can you let me know approx where you are just so I can approx travel time for when the time might come?

thanks

[emurphy]

Is Trevor still for sale. I have small hobby acreage and would like him to breed with my girls who are young. I would like him to be friendly and tractable and not chase me and but me when I go in the paddock Is he all of that? Please write back emurphy@bne.catholic.edu.au
Edwina

[floot]

I own Damara sheep in the dry tropics.. ie they go from wet season and mud nearly straight into drought on an annual basis. I now have a flock of 25 which is self-sustaining on our property and recently put a lamb into the freezer. It is excellent eating. I will attest that he was well bred, well fed and butchered beautifully. There are two ways to produce quality meat and it has everything to do with nutrition and careful slaughtering.

Dorpers were developed in South Africa the dry bottom end of the African continent. Damaras have been bred all over the African continent. I first got onto them when I asked an employee of mine what sort of sheep they had in the Congo.

Much of the joy of Damaras is in their handling, they are remarkably easy to handle. Also, they eat the same forage as goats and do very well. Damaras do not pressure fences. I WILL REPEAT MYSELF. Damaras do NOT pressure fences. They have such a flock commitment, I believe from reading, that you cannot call any composite Damara under about 70% 'damara' because they lose that flocking ability. Also, if you are on a small place like me. I can 'handle' a 65kg ram. I am not shrinking violet but a 100kg dorper would be beyond me.

Your question pertained to the rams. Any domestic animal in a farm situation can be troublesome up to dangerous, especially, if they are 'tame'. It is in the nature of the hormones and gender.. not breed or species.

We have a lead ram called 'Rambo'.... if the girls are on season, he will try and confront you. I would advise you never tame a working ram, their instincts and familiarity will come back to hit you. Best you always keep him at arms length. There are always exceptions. We have owned a stallion that the kids could play with .. etc etc..

Teela, I live in the tropics, as you know... we get from 800 to 1800mm of rain in a season. I have never seen signs of footrot. I dont think I am an exception, I know 2 others with damaras up here and none of them have mentioned it and they are both better stockmen than I am.

The big plus I see about Damaras is their manageability. They are the easiest animals I have ever owned and I am very new to sheep.

Cheers,

[sarah i]

Does anyone know if Damaras debark trees and eat small trees or are they mainly grass eaters? Just thinking of grazing them in the bush around our house. Also will electric fences keep them in? Just thinking of getting 4 or so. Plus anyone know where we can get some in FNQ near Kuranda?
Thanks, Sarah

[Tegs]

Hi Sarah,

Any sheep will debark trees if they lack minerals in their diet. We provided mineral supplements to our sheep and have no de-barking issues. They will do quiet well on rough grasses and will love the stylo bushes! We have kept sheep with electric fencing with some success the key is to train them first. Keep them in a secure pen/ paddock and run the electric fencing INSIDE the pen/ paddock. The damaras tend to test an electric fence and the shock of the zap can spook them straight through the fence. Once they are familiar with an electric fence they will respect it. We have found the easiest way to move our animals is to lead them. By feeding them a small amount everyday it makes moving them a breeze. They will follow that food bucket any where. Also comes in handy if they ever get out

Hope this helps.