The breed has been exported and small flocks can be found in other countries, including Norway, Denmark, the UK and USA. Twin births do occur and mothers are capable of rearing them. The sheep has a wide range of colors which are all equally acceptable and desirable. But ewes have small horns.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'learnnaturalfarming_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_2',169,'0','0'])); Best tolerance against internal parasites. Damaras are Different The key difference between damaras and other sheep breeds is this – Damaras are a wild natural breed, so every characteristic from colour, temperament, mothering ability and flocking instinct is focussed on “SURVIVAL”. The Damara came to Australia in 1996 and has adapted well to most areas. Kaokoland Damara Sheep Rams 13 months old - Piet Coetzee +264811242242 (Namibia) The breed originated from the Hamites of Eastern-Asia and Egypt and moved down to the present day Namibia and Angola. All rights reserved. It was only in the middle of the 20th century that commercial farmers became aware of the unique characteristics of the Damara, realizing that the Damara can thrive in a wide range of environments without expensive support systems. 160 days, 1–2 offspring; weaning 4–5 months; maximum age: 15 years Phone: -27-12-6671129 Fax: -27-12-6671827. It feeds on grass, bush and shrubs and can almost be classified as a browser. Project initiated April, 1994 - Initial web site opened February 22, 1995. The sheep belong to one of the fat-tail breeds. It's also a key to its robust nature and their ability to thrive in these harsh conditions. It drops down in the neck, rising to the withers from where it declines slightly to rise again over well-developed loins. The ewes appear feminine, whereas the rams are more robust and masculine. The Damara sheep has a high level of immunity to sheep sickness and a resistance to internal and external parasites. A fulltime farmer and blogger who love to share all his farming experiences. Photographs: Damara Breeder's Society, 1993. The indigenous Damara sheep are highly adaptable and selected by nature for exceptional fertility and foraging ability. Orphan lambs are a rarity in the breed because of the outstanding mothering ability. The nose tends to be slightly Roman in females and more prominent in rams. The Damara Herero, Namaqua and the Kam Karrin Hottentot tribes farmed and traded with what has become the Damara sheep of today. The Damara Herero, Namaqua and the Kam Karrin Hottentot tribes farmed and traded with what has become the Damara sheep of today. The mothering ability of the breed is exceptional. The top-line over the head is arched. It has been a success in the pastoral areas and is admirably suited to fill the demand from the Middle East for live sheep exports. The ears are of moderate size and mobile. Can a Dog run through an Invisible fence. The Damara breed is well suited for the modern-day farmers to decrease the input and production costs. The name of the breed was derived from the specific region where the sheep were originally encountered (then known as Gross Damaraland). The Damara sheep has a high fertility rate, strong maternal instincts and potential to grow well under unfavorable conditions. The Damara can therefore thrive in a wide range of environments without expensive support systems. The name is derived from the Damara area of Namibia where the largest number of animals is found. Their are very few Damara sheep in NZ. The breed originated from wild Asian sheep such as the Moufflon, Argali and Urial and its ancestors entered Africa through Europe, moving south along the east coast of the continent. It reached Southern Africa some two thousand years ago, where it spread to northern Namibia and the southern parts of Angola. The hooves are small and well shaped. The focus in breeding is mostly on meat production, but they are also very hardy and with good mothering instincts (inherited from their Damara breeding). Sheep loss had the expected significant negative effect on sheep production in Botshabelo. Damara meat is juicy and tasty, with a fine texture, and is not mottled with fat. The name Aseel or Asil or Asli are all the same chicken. The Damara is a fat-tailed sheep that grows short, coarse hair. The ewes appear feminine, whereas the rams are more robust and masculine. Also, a strong supporter of sustainable farming practices. Lambing weights are around 4kg to 4.5 kg. Damara sheep can raise a lamb on the fat reserves stored in the ewe's tail.The tail acts like a camel's hump storing fat. This makes it very suitable for the communal areas of Namibia where extreme conditions are usually the norm rather than the exception. The Damara sheep is predominantly a horned sheep. document.write('animal-science-mail-form'); The male sheep called a Ram. Hair is mostly short with a tendency to a fine layer of woolliness developing under the hair during winter. Please mail your original copies with our email form The mature Damara ram weighs at 50kg (110 lb) and ewes weigh 35 kg (75 lb) This places the Damara in the same feeding category as goats. The Damara's fat tail is a distinguishing feature. They can be either horned or polled. The Damara sheep is a functionally efficient animal. The ewes produce enough milk even to raise twin lambs which will occur in 5 to 10% of the births. The eyes are large and brownish in color, protected by well developed eyebrow-ridges. Research has indicated that up to 64% of the diet of the Damara sheep can consist of browsing material. The reproductive lifespan of Damara sheep is around 9 years. Information on adding new breeds or updating existing information. Damara Sheep Journal. Hello, I am Siddartha Reddy . Wattles (belletjies) are sometimes found under the throat. There are very few 'fat tailed' sheep breeds at all, in NZ. The confiscated Damara Sheep were resettled at the Omatjenne Research Station, near Otjiwarongo, Namibia. It has the typical characteristics of a desert breed, namely long legs, fat tail, short hair and a respiratory rather than a cylindrical conformation. The sheep are very alert and can spot a predator from afar. The AFRINO sheep breed is known for its high quality meat with an even fat distribution over the carcass. These characteristics are of high importance especially in light of the articles written by dr Jan van Wyk of Onderstepoort in the July edition of “Rooivleis”. It is one of the oldest sheep breeds. The Damara sheep is predominantly a horned sheep, polls do occur, though more in ewes than in rams. the rams have well developed spiral horns which stand well away from the head. Jeevamrutham is made of two words - Jeeva and Amrutham. Feb 23, 2015 - Explore Jessica Doak's board "Damara sheep" on Pinterest. The sheep belong to one of the fat-tail breeds. The desired covering is short glossy hair. The ewes appear feminine, whereas the rams are more robust and masculine. The pastern-joint is fairly long, sloping and supple. Lambs do not accumulate fat at an early age and can therefore be marketed at a later stage and a higher body weight.Average marketing age is 7 -8 months under extensive conditions. Damara Sheep Breeders´ Society of South Africa. The fat tail is wedge-shaped, … With the exception of the tail and the rear rump there is no visible localized fat. Meatmaster Sheep Characteristics The Meatmaster sheep are medium sized animal with various wool color. Over the next few decades selective breeding improved the meat-producing qualities of the already well-adapted indigenous Damara without losing its main characteristics and adaptive traits for bushveldt savannah grazing. Comm… Copyright © 1995-2015 Oklahoma State University Board of Regents. At 30 to 36 weeks the Ewes can be mated, with first lambing at 52 to 58 weeks. --> The rams have spiral horns and are not polled. Embryos are also transferred to Australia and the breed is used as a base for a new breed called the Meat Master. Say No to Chemicals and plastics. The top-line over the head is arched. The fat on the carcass forms a 1mm to 2mm layer, which makes it ideally suited to today’s health-conscious consumer. The breed is now predominantly medium grey colour and is commonly known as the Swedish Pelt Sheep. Damara sheep have short glossy hair (resistant to grass seeds) long legs, fat tail, high fertility, hardiness and good mothering and herding instincts. It has the typical characteristics of a desert breed, namely long legs, fat tail, short hair and a respiratory rather than a cylindrical conformation. The mature Damara ram weighs at 50kg (110 lb). The breed can survive harsh environmental conditions,  breed vigorously and can sustain on low feed. Rams often have long hair along the throat down to the brisket. Please provide a description of this breed as well Typically alert, lively, long-legged, large deep bodies, short hair varying from black, brown, white or … They are found in northwestern Namibia (Kaokoland) and southern Angola where they were herded relatively free from external influences, by the local inhabitants (Himba and Tjimba). The breed is originated in Eastern-Asia and Egypt. Select Genes Ltd., Irene 1675, Republic of South Africa. We are currently looking for high resolution pictures of any of the breeds. The Damara sheep is a functionally efficient animal. The head is of moderate length and width. Damaras originated from Southern Angola and Namibia and were later selected in South Africa . Order: even-toed ungulates, family: bovids; breed of domestic sheep from Africa: Diet: Grasses and leaves: Habitat: A breed from the region Gross Damaraland in Namibia: Reproduction: Gestation period: ca. Damara meat tastes different and doesn’t have much fat. Breeds of Livestock, Department of Animal Science. Even during the drought situation, the Damara has achieved 100%  lambing. There are no significant lambing problems. These traits … They have long, oval and fairly deep body. The Black and White sheep breeds are so common in the sheep world. A well-known breed characteristic is its fat tail, which tapers to a point. They are a friendly breed and used to being shepherded by people, rather than by dogs. Fat tailed sheep arrived in South Africa between 200 and 400 AD. Damara Sheep Journal, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development, Republic of Namibia, Private Bag 13184, Windhoek, 9000, Select Genes Ltd., PO Box 494, Irene 1675, Republic of South Africa. The Damara sheep is a functionally efficient animal. Multiple births are common, with an average inter-lambing period is between 30 and 34 weeks. Reference: Damara Breeder's Society, 1993. The Damara breed is a member of the sheep family and as such does not differ exceptionally from any other breed of sheep with regard to many aspects investigated in the program. “The tail fat is of the highest quality, with a fine white texture. Damara sheep can survive in a harsh environment and under poor nutritional conditions. The lambs born will be active. The legs are long and strong, with well shaped hooves. Approximately a 1mm to 2mm layer of fat deposit in its carcass. The Damara sheep has a diverse diet. animal-science-mail-form When they're in good condition, the tails are fat and wide. For many years the sheep were in an isolated region of Namibia and thus remained free of influence from other breeds. Damara meat tastes different and doesn’t have much fat. Thanks for visiting our site, let’s make this world a better place to live. It then follows the line of a typical sloping rump. Rams weigh from … [Sheep Breeds || Breeds of Livestock || Animal Science Home Page || Comment ]. The Damara sheep are large animals with relatively long appearance. The body is long, oval and fairly deep. The legs are long and dry, but strong and well-placed. They are fat-tailed, meaning they lack wool which requires shearing. On the back of the ram's head is a well developed cushion. College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, College of Human & Environmental Sciences, Ag Education, Communications & Leadership, Master of International Agriculture Degree Program. The confiscated Damara Sheep were resettled at the Omatjenne Research Station, near Otjiwarongo, Namibia. See more ideas about sheep, goats, sheep breeds. The Damara sheep is a fairly large sheep in terms of shoulder height. Polls do however occur.