The Dorset Breed

Centuries ago, Merino sheep were brought from Spain into Southwest England and were crossed with the Horned Dorper Sheep of Wales, which produced a desirable all-purpose sheep--- the Horned Dorset sheep, the ancestors of the present day Dorset. The result was  an all-purpose sheep with  medium-soft wool and muscled carcasses.

The ewes are prolific, heavy milkers, known for their maternal traits. But Dorsets are best known for their ability to produce a lamb crop any time during the year.

 

Horned Dorsets were imported to the states. We currently have one Horned Dorset ewe which is now considered a rare breed. Back in 1860 a gene mutation developed the Polled Dorset, the dominate type of Dorset sheep in by the 1950's. 

In 1970's, the Dorset breed drastically changed again, and two sub-groups of Dorsets have emerged, the Show Dorset (which we had until the spring of 2010) and the Production Dorset (which we now raise and prefer).  The Show Dorset were created by using Columbiana blood to get the size that you see in show flocks.

Unlike the Show Dorset, the Production Dorset remained the same, retaining the Dorset traits of breeding, prolificacy, true breed type, mothering abilities, milking capacity, and heavy muscling.  Today, the Production Dorset are easy-keeping sheep that produce lambs for all seasons and markets, making them one of the most versatile breeds.  

And, yes, in our flock, we have one black Border Lester ewe –Ba Ba Black Sheep.

Note: Please note that we are footrot free. Please make sure that you have clean feet and that you wear clothing that has not been around other sheep or livestock. We will ask you to disinfect your shoes and/or wear plastic shoe covers.

Breeding Stock & Shepherd Consultation
For Polled Dorset breeding stock, see www.urbanshepherds.com or  contact us.

 

Stop Mowing & Start Grazing

Mowing with sheep is something that could save you money and labour. Whether you want to reduce your expenses associated with mowing or you are looking to put your land in a CAUV to reduce your taxes, sheep labour is your solution. In addition, you will be reducing pollution, maintenance, use of herbicides, and gas and oil requirements, fertilizing while they graze, and producing lean, healthy local food and wool products. Sheep are a great interim solution for vacant city lots. Sheep can operate in conditions, like steep terrains along powerlines, that men and machines cannot easily access. In tightly spaced vineyards, sheep come in before bud break and leave the site ready for the growing season. Sheep do not compact the soil or disturb the indigenous species. They provide a holistic land management and brush and weed control through grazing. Sheep can eliminate thistle, brush, noxious weeds, and other invasive plants and restore native grasses. They are low maintenance, very entertaining, and do their job well.

Many property owners, from residential to commercial and industrial, are currently using sheep to mow their lawns. The White House lawn once had sheep grazing during Wilson's administration to save on groundskeeping. In fact, our modern idea of lawns was born from images of European estates that were maintained by sheep. With budget challenges and fuel prices rising, this is an idea whose time has come back. Let us help you manage your properties. Stop Mowing and Start Growing with Sheep Labour!
www.urbanshepherds.com



Lambing

The gestation of a ewe is 142 to 152 days, approximately five months. Ewes usually give birth to 1 to 3 lambs at each birthing episode with twin births the most common. Ewes produce their largest litters of lambs when they are between the ages of 3 and 6, but our First-time moms are more likely to have single births. Most ewes give birth to their lambs without any assistance.

Normal presentation is the nose and two front legs, one lamb at a time. After a lamb is born, cleaning and licking is part of the ewe-lamb bonding process and helps to dry the lamb. Lambs are usually able to stand within 30 minutes after birth and the lamb usually has its first meal before it is an hour old. Lambs suckle frequently during their first few weeks of life, from 1 to 2 times per hour, for as long as 3 minutes each time. But by the end of their fifth week, lambs will only be sucking once every 2 hours. Lambs also sleep a lot, approximately 8 to 12 hours per day. You may catch them playing with other lambs or napping next to their mothers.