Superb Dorper Breeding Sheep
The vast majority of sheep producing businesses in the US are family-owned-and-operated. Choosing us means that you support this nation's shepherds and their families, and you help sustain working farmland and farm communities.
Superb Dorper Breeding Sheep
There are a vast majority of family-owned-and-run sheep businesses in the US. Choosing us means that you support this nation's shepherds and their families, and you help sustain working farmland and farm communities.
Why Choose Dorper Sheep for Your Breeding Stock
The Dorper breed was developed in South Africa in the 1940's-1950's, and imported to the United States in the 1970's, specifically to meet the demand for a high-quality meat producer adaptable to heat and drought conditions.
Dorpers can be classified as one of the fastest growing small stock breeds worldwide, and they provide various benefits to the shepherd, including high production rates, rapid weight gain, excellent carcass qualities, and marketability. In addition, they are one of the few "Hair Sheep" breeds, which do not produce abundant lanolin and do not require shearing.
Strong and Adaptable
Dorpers are a highly adaptable breed of sheep. They can survive the Texas climate outdoors on the pasture.
Great Maternal Qualities
Ewes can be excellent mothers and heavy milkers. That is why lambs are vigorous and have a high survivability rate.
Long Breeding Season
Dorpers can be managed to produce three lamb crops in two years. Or, they can easily be managed to produce a lamb crop when you want it. At Terrapin Farms we manage our flock to produce lamb year round.
Reproductive Efficiency
Dorper sheep are fertile and prolific. Lambing rates of 180% are typical.
Non-Selective Grazers
Dorper sheep are superb converters of various types of forage. They can also be a great option for grazing or weed control operations.
Tolerant to Heat and Insects
Dorper sheep have a natural tolerance to high temperatures and insect populations. In fact, the Texas hill country is quite similar to the South African environment where the breed was developed. The Dorper Breed has a higher tolerance to copper compared to other breeds of sheep, therefore, copper can be used for a natural anti-parasite treatment.
Sheep Raised Well
At our farm, we aim to treat our animals as humanely as possible. We let them grow up in the pastures and have them stay in family groups their entire lives. Lambs meant for meat production are minimally handled (no castration, no tail docking, no ear tags). The tails of the ewes and studs are docked for sanitary purposes.
There are no automated milk bars or other "factory" techniques on our premises. We personally see to each animal's well-being. Throughout the year, we let them eat fresh grass or hay we’ve baled ourselves instead of raising them in feedlot conditions. In additional to grass, their nutrition is supplemented with a multi-grain, high mineral feed mix produced in Texas for our hill country environmental conditions (soil pH, etc..). By providing them with a balanced diet, adequate minerals, vitamins, and nutrients, we ensure our lambs live a healthy life.
80% of our breeding stock are type 4's and 5's as defined by the South African Dorper Breed Standards, and endorsed by the American Dorper Sheep Breeders Society (ADSBS).