How long are Damara sheep pregnant for?
Ewes have five month gestational period, lambs start grazing quickly. Ewes have strong mothering instincts, protective and can cycle again as early as eight weeks after lambing.
How long do Damara sheep live for?
These sheep have a lifespan up to twice that of other sheep breeds. Still producing lambs at 10+ years & older with still a full mouth of teeth.
Do you need to shear Damara sheep?
The Damara live and breed in harsh environments, under poor nutritional conditions and with restricted water. They don’t require shearing, crutching or docking and are very fertile all-season breeders. Ewes can have their first lamb before they are one year old and generally have three lambs in two years.
How soon can a sheep get pregnant after giving birth?
Answers: It is convenient to wait at least 3 months after the last parturition (lambing) before a ewe is bred again. A ewe comes into first heat at 7 to 8 months of age. A ewe should not be bred when she comes into her first heat.
Where did Damara sheep originate?
The Damara is a breed of domestic sheep and was originally from Eastern Asia and Egypt. The breed then moved down to the present day Namibia and Angola. For many years the sheep were in an isolated region of Namibia and thus remained free of influence from other breeds.
What are Damara sheep used for?
The Damara is a unique breed of meat sheep ideally suited to our Australian climate. The name ‘Damara’ comes from Damaraland in Namibia. A tribe there called the ‘Himba’ had them for thousands of years, and this is where the South African farmers bought their first Damara flocks.
Are Damara sheep self shedding?
Damara are a self shedding breed of sheep that look remarkably like goats however they do stand out in the crowd due to their fat tails.
How long do sheep take to give birth?
With adequate nutrition, sheep are fertile throughout the year. A healthy, well fed ewe can give birth up to 6 or more lambs in two years….Chapter 5. SHEEP BREEDING, PREGNANCY AND BIRTH.
| 21 days in December | 146 days |
|---|---|
| 30 days in April | |
| and 5 days in May. |
Are Damara sheep fertile?
The Damara sheep has a high fertility rate, strong maternal instincts and potential to grow well under unfavorable conditions. Twin births do occur and mothers are capable of rearing them. The breed is reproductive at an early age (even as early as 8 months if conditions are favorable). Ewes can reproduce any time of the year (poly-oestrus).
What percentage of Damara sheep have twins?
And twin lambs usually occur in 5 to 10 percent of the births. The ewes generally care well for their lambs, and sometime fight off predators when attacked. Today the breed is raised mainly for meat production. However, review full breed profile of the Damara sheep in the following chart.
What happened to the Damara sheep of Namibia?
In 1954, many Damara Sheep were confiscated from commercial farmers who were smuggling sheep through the “Veterinary Cordon Fence”, which was erected to separate disease-free areas of southern Namibia from those of the north. The confiscated Damara Sheep were resettled at the Omatjenne Research Station, near Otjiwarongo, Namibia.
How long does it take for a sheep to have lambs?
Highly fertile with polyoestrous cycles, reaching sexual maturity as early as six to seven months, Recommended first joining is 10-12 months. Capable of producing three lambs in two years. Ewes have five month gestational period, lambs start grazing quickly.