2 yr old Dorper as a pet?

4 posts

Member for

9 years 3 months
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 12/07/2014 - 16:45

2 yr old Dorper as a pet?

 

Hi, I am on 20 acres and have a 12 mnth cow, 12 mnth steer and 2 goats as pets and have been asked if i would like to have a 2 yr old dorper as my friend no longer wants her. Apparently she was with a ram and had a lamb but the ram killed the baby so the friend got rid of the ram and now has decided to get rid of this sheep as well (not sure how long ago all this happened).

 

Im happy to take this sheep but im a little bit concerned how it will go by itself and if it will bond with my cow and steer & goats (the 4 of them are great mates) or will it get lonely being the only sheep in the paddock?

 

Also is there any problems I can come up against with sheep. Never owning them before I dont really know alot about them or how their temperaments are etc or if they are problems with fences etc. Any type of advice would be great.

Last seen: 09/17/2019 - 18:07
Joined: 11/23/2011 - 09:38

Hi Molly,

Regarding your fencing, if the fencing is suitable for the goats then you won't have a problem with a sheep.

On my property, goats, cattle, Kangaroos and Wallabies all graze along peacefully together. A fellow breeder up the road has horses, dorpers, goats and cattle all living and grazing side by side with no problems what- so-ever. So go right ahead and get the little female Dorper as she should be fine on your property. Ewes are not as agressive as rams

To protect your goats from worms because sheep and goats share the same types, upon arrival, give her an oral drench suitable for sheep at the correct dose for her body weight and confine her to a small yard for a few days, this will allow her to empty whatever parasites she is carrying in her gastrointestinal system, in the yard and not in your paddocks. Doing so, will stop your pasture becoming infested with any parasites, such as Barbers Pole worm or Black Scour worm, that she may be carrying.

The only husbandry procedures that you may have to do, are the same ones you would have to do with your two goats. That is, oral drench when necessary for worms, treat for lice if needed with a backline suitable for sheep and if needed from time to time, trim the hooves, as you would with the goats. Other than that, I can't see any problems. It is very kind of you to take her in.

Cheers,

Barb

Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 12/07/2014 - 16:45

Thanks Barb for your reply. I am getting the girl dropped off over the weekend so hopefully she will settle in ok. I will purchase some worming agent for her during the week as I only recently wormed all my animals a few months ago and I have been told this girl hasnt been wormed since last year. Fingers crossed all goes well, thanks again

Last seen: 09/17/2019 - 18:07
Joined: 11/23/2011 - 09:38

Hi Molly, glad to have helped. Hope the girl is settling in o.k.

Barb

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