Dorper Sheep

Ovis aries

Developed in 1930s South Africa by crossing Dorset Horn rams with Blackhead Persian ewes to create a hardy meat breed for arid regions; it is a fast-growing, non-selective grazer that sheds its short wool-hair coat rather than needing shearing.

Species: Ovine
Family: Bovidae
Climate requirements: Highly adapted to hot, semi-arid and arid conditions with strong heat tolerance and low water requirements, thriving in Kenya's Kajiado and Narok rangelands while also tolerating cooler highland zones.

Husbandry

Care & Economics

Husbandry guide: Raise on rotational grazing with well-drained paddocks and secure night shelter against predators; graze during cooler early morning/late afternoon hours and supplement with hay or concentrate in dry season. Lambs can reach market weight (30-40kg) within 4-6 months, gaining roughly 200-300g/day on good pasture, with ewes typically lambing at around 150% (frequent twins) and able to lamb three times in two years. Provide clean water ad libitum (4-6 liters/day for adults) and a basic vaccination and deworming schedule (enterotoxemia, PPR, regular anthelmintic rotation) since internal parasites remain the main health risk. Stocking density on semi-arid pasture is generally 4-6 sheep per hectare depending on rainfall.
Economic importance: Dorper is Kenya's most popular commercial meat breed due to its fast growth, high carcass yield and easy-care coat, giving smallholders reliable income from mutton sales and a strong crossbreeding sire for upgrading local flocks.

Genetics

Breeds

No breeds recorded yet.

Animal health

Diseases

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Nutrition

Feeds

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Veterinary

Drugs & Medication

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Value chain

Products from this Animal

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