The Damara Sheep: Living up to its popularity
The Damara sheep have a long history. It is a breed that has been upgraded by nature over many centuries. Only the best have lived on. Nature has accustomed them to the most extreme conditions.
The Damara sheep has a high level of immunity to sickness and resistance to internal and external parasites.
The Damara sheep is through natural selection ideally suited for extensive farming in the drier parts of Southern Africa. The breed is suited to any veld type.
The biggest advantage of Damara is that they use grass the same as other sheep but also eat leaves like Boer Goats.
Its rump and back legs are so developed that it stands on its back legs just like a goat to eat leaves.
Because the Damara is lighter than the Mutton Merino and Dorper sheep, its nutritional intake is comparatively less and as a result, more animals can be bred in one camp with other breeds.
Therefore, where it loses per carcass, it makes up in numbers.
In addition, it can also be added that the Damara is particularly fertile. Two lambs for each year are the general average.
Damara ewes have very strong maternal characteristics. It is practically unknown that an ewe will reject her lamb. Sometimes she will stay with her lamb alone for a day or two before joining the rest of the group.
The Damara always gather in a group with the lambs on the inside, this makes it difficult for jackals and caracal to get to them. A Damara ewe will always protect her lamb.
It is easy to gather Damaras because they always stay grouped. Damaras are very good walkers and mountain climbers.
These qualities are very important for extensive farming. The Damara can go without water for a longer period compared to
other breeds.