What is the market price of a Dorper sheep?
The Dorper sheep is a famous meat sheep breed developed by crossing the Horned Dorset sheep with the Blackheaded Persian sheep. Whether Blackheaded Dorper or Whiteheaded Dorper, apart from differences in head colour and related pigmentation, they carry the same genes and share the same breed characteristics, with farming traits of rapid growth and heavy weaning weight. Now let us take a look at the market price of Dorper sheep!
Dorper sheep market price
The market price of Dorper lambs is around 1000 yuan, while purebred Dorper lambs are priced at about 2000 to 3000 yuan. For purebred sheep weighing over 40 kg and meeting the breed standard (that is, grade one or above), the market price is no less than 5000 yuan. The price of crossbred Dorper sheep is generally half that of purebred Dorper sheep of the same grade; a crossbred Dorper sheep meeting grade one or above costs about 2500 yuan or more, while those of slightly poorer quality may simply follow the market.
How to identify Dorper sheep
According to the colour of the head and neck, Dorper sheep are divided into two types: Whiteheaded Dorper and Blackheaded Dorper. The body and limbs are white, the top of the head is flat and of medium length, the forehead is broad, the nose bridge is slightly raised, and there are either no horns or small horn bases. The ears are small and flat, neither short nor too wide. The neck is thick and short, the shoulders broad and thick, the back straight, the ribs rounded, the forechest full, and the hindquarters muscular. The limbs are strong and of medium length, with proper stance. The whole body is like a tall carriage. Dorper sheep are divided into two strains: the long-wool type and the short-wool type. Long-wool sheep produce carpet wool and are better adapted to cold climate conditions, while short-wool sheep have shorter fleece and can better withstand heat and rain.
Points to note when buying Dorper sheep
1. It is best to buy from farms holding a “Livestock and Poultry Breeding Licence” issued by the relevant provincial or municipal animal husbandry department; such enterprises generally have higher credibility.
2. Identification can be made according to the appearance characteristics of Dorper sheep described above and the differences between purebred and crossbred varieties.
3. When buying, be sure to check whether the Dorper sheep is healthy; if there are abnormal signs such as dull eyes or unsteady walking, it is best not to buy.
4. If you want to buy purebred Dorper sheep, the import procedures and pedigree certificates mentioned above should also be taken into consideration.