Damara Sheep

[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]

I'm looking at getting damara sheep to graze around the bush round our house to reduce the fuel before the fire season. Does anyone know if electric fencing would keep them in and will they debark trees like goats? Do they eat little trees or would they concentrate on the brachy grass we have mainly plus the secca stylo bushes? Also would they be herdable by border collies or better to lead them like goats with a bucket of food? Plus does anyone have any for sale in FNQ? We live near Kuranda in FNQ. Thank you!

[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.