Description
Dorper sheep for sale are what most South African meat sheep farmers look for first. The Dorper was bred here to turn tough veld into a good slaughter lamb, and it still does that better than almost any other breed: fast-growing lambs, fertile ewes and no shearing.
DRM Livestock supplies Dorper lambs, older lambs, yearling ewes, pregnant ewes and breeding rams, with delivery arranged to your farm anywhere in South Africa. Tell us what you need and we will send you a written quote with current prices and transport.
Dorper Sheep for Sale: What We Supply
We supply Dorper sheep in 5 categories, so you can buy exactly what your flock needs rather than whatever happens to be in the pen.
| Category | Age or stage | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Dorper lambs | 1 to 3 months | Growing out, or raising your own replacements |
| Older Dorper lambs | 4 to 11 months | Growing out for slaughter, or future breeding stock |
| Yearling Dorper ewes | 12 to 15 months | Building or growing a breeding flock |
| Pregnant Dorper ewes | In lamb | Adding ewes that lamb soon after arrival |
| Dorper breeding rams | Adult | Improving growth and carcass in your lambs |
Prices for our Dorper sheep for sale are on request, because they depend on the category, the number of animals and the market at the time. Every written quote includes current prices, availability and transport to your farm, usually within one working day.
Why Farmers Choose Dorper Sheep
The Dorper was developed in South Africa in the 1940s by crossing Dorset Horn rams with Blackhead Persian ewes, to produce a hardy meat sheep for the drier parts of the country.
- Meat: a long, deep, well-muscled body and lambs that reach market condition young.
- No shearing: the hair-and-wool coat sheds naturally.
- Fertility: ewes can breed through much of the year, and twins are common with good feeding.
- Hardiness: Dorpers handle heat and dry veld well, and graze and browse a wide range of plants.
- Mothering: good milk and strong mothering instincts.
For breed standards and registered breeders, visit the Dorper Sheep Breeders’ Society of South Africa.
Where Dorper Sheep Do Best
Dorpers are farmed in every province, and do especially well in the Karoo, the Northern Cape, North West, the Free State, Limpopo and the Eastern Cape. They suit extensive veld farms as well as more intensive systems with planted pastures or feedlots.
Dorper rams are also widely used on other ewes to improve the growth and carcass of slaughter lambs. For more on the breed, read our complete guide to Dorper sheep in South Africa.
Choosing the Right Dorper Sheep
Not all Dorper sheep for sale suit every farm. Match the animal to the job you need it to do.
Dorper lambs and older lambs
Lambs are the most affordable way into Dorpers. Look for active, well-grown lambs with bright eyes and no signs of scours. Older lambs can be grown out for slaughter or kept as future breeding stock.
Yearling Dorper ewes
Choose ewes with a long, deep body, sound feet, a correct mouth and a soft udder with two good teats. Size is not everything: the best ewe is the one that lambs every season on your veld.
Pregnant Dorper ewes
Pregnant ewes give you lambs within weeks or months. Feed them well in late pregnancy, and plan transport around their lambing dates.
Dorper rams
Look for a ram with sound legs, a broad loin, a full hindquarter and two firm, even testicles. Have him checked for breeding soundness before mating. Our guide to choosing Dorper ewes and rams goes into this in detail.
What to Check Before You Buy
Before you commit to any Dorper sheep for sale, from us or anyone else, check:
- Mouth: teeth should meet the pad squarely. Undershot or overshot jaws are a fault, and worn or missing teeth shorten a ewe’s working life.
- Feet: watch the sheep walk, and check for overgrown hooves and signs of footrot.
- Condition: feel over the backbone and ribs. Wool and hair can hide a thin sheep.
- Eyelids: pale inner eyelids can mean a heavy wireworm burden.
- Udder on ewes: two functional teats and no hard lumps from old mastitis.
- Testicles on rams: two, firm and even, with no lumps. Ask for a breeding soundness examination by a vet.
- Paperwork: the seller’s registered mark, a document of identification, vaccination history and, where required, a veterinary movement permit.
Delivery and Paperwork
Our Dorper sheep for sale are delivered to farms across South Africa, including the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and North West. Transport is quoted separately, because it depends on the number of animals, the distance and the route.
Sheep are cloven-hoofed, so they fall under the current foot-and-mouth disease movement controls. They may only move with the correct documents and, in affected areas, an official veterinary movement permit. We handle the identification documents with every sale and work with the state vet on movement requirements. Check new sheep for lice and sheep scab, and treat them if needed before they join your flock. On arrival, keep new animals apart from your flock for at least 28 days and give them time to settle before you work them.
How to Order Dorper Sheep
- Tell us what you need: the number of animals, the category (lambs, older lambs, yearling ewes, pregnant ewes or rams), and your farm location.
- Get a written quote: we send current prices, availability and transport costs, usually within one working day.
- Confirm and pay: only into our business account, against an official invoice from DRM LIVE STOCK (Company No. K2023207798).
- Delivery: we arrange transport and paperwork to your farm.
Read more on our how to buy page, or request a Dorper quote now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Dorper sheep cost in South Africa?
It depends on the category, the number of sheep and the market at the time. Our guide to Dorper sheep prices gives current reference points, and we send current prices with every written quote.
Do Dorper sheep need shearing?
No. Dorpers have a hair-and-wool coat that sheds naturally.
Are Dorper sheep good for beginners?
Yes. They are hardy, fertile and need no shearing. They still need good grazing management, a health programme and daily checks.
How often do Dorper ewes lamb?
Dorpers can breed through much of the year. Most farmers run one mating season a year, and some manage three lambings in two years with good feeding.
Do you deliver Dorper sheep to my farm?
Yes. We arrange delivery across South Africa. Transport is quoted separately, based on the number of sheep and the distance.
Do the sheep come with documents?
Yes. Every animal comes with a document of identification, and we work with the state vet on any movement permits required under the foot-and-mouth controls.
Looking for Dorper Sheep for Sale? Request a Quote
If you are ready to buy Dorper sheep, request a quote with the number and type of sheep you need and your farm location. For more on running a flock, read our guide to Dorper sheep farming in South Africa, or compare the Meatmaster. Not sure which breed suits your farm? Read our comparison of Dorper vs Meatmaster. For current lamb, mutton and breeding stock prices, see our guide to sheep prices in South Africa. To keep your flock healthy, read our guide to common sheep diseases in South Africa.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.