DK Dorpers

DK Dorpers Breeding/show quality stock available. Welcome to our Facebook site! We are located in Galt, California, and raise Dorper sheep. Thank you.

There are many reasons why people choose to raise specific animals. We selected the Dorper because they are beautiful, have a docile temperament, don't require shearing, and very fertile and hardy! Basically, they are beautiful, easy to maintain, and tasty, so what's not to love! :-)

A little Dorper History: The Dorper breed was developed in South Africa in the 1930's, by crossing a Dorset Ho

rn x Blackhead Persian. The Blackhead Persian sheep, a hardy, fat-tailed desert breed from Arabia, brings to the Dorper its hardiness, thriftiness, adaptability, pigmentation and hair covering. In addition, the Persians have very valuable skins used in the production of fine leather products. The Dorset Horn rams crossed with Blackhead Persian ewes produced fast growing and heavily muscled lambs. Many University and other taste tests report that Dorper lamb meat is milder, leaner, and richer in flavor than other breeds of sheep --- and we agree. A little about us: Our family ranch is located in Galt, CA, we offer fullblood show and breed quality Dorper sheep to start or enhance your flock. Our family spends a lot of time with our stock, and they are well cared for. We believe a quality environment combined with a quality animal is critical for producing superior meat. Nothing is genetically altered, and no growth hormones or other alterations are used to raise our animals. Grass-fed lambs have less fat accumulation over the carcass and increased marbling in the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful product. The flavor of the Dorper meat has a mild yet rich flavor, it is delicate and not overpowering, and we believe it surpasses the flavor of any other sheep breed. Dorper lamb is not your traditional lamb product -- it's better!! We are members of the American Dorper Sheep Breeder's Society, the Western States Dorper Association, and the South African Dorper Sheep Breeder's Society, and look forward to answering any questions you might have.

07/15/2025
Yummm
07/13/2025

Yummm

Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank Confit in Star Anise Syrup with Figs & Brown Sugar Glaze

Ingredients:

2 lamb shanks

1 tbsp sea salt

2 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, sliced

3 cloves garlic, smashed

1 tsp black peppercorns

2 dried bay leaves

3–4 whole star anise

1 cup dried figs, halved

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 cup beef stock

1/2 cup red wine (optional for depth)

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

07/12/2025

An excellent demonstration. Thank you Kevin Gamble! 👍

07/08/2025
07/05/2025

Explanation of BLUP: Post 17

8.10 Young Ewe List

In the Young Ewe List all the active ewes, born since January of the Evaluation Year – 2, are listed
sorted on their ID numbers, with their birth statuses, inbreeding coefficients, parent information,
selection indices, breeding values, breeding value indices and accuracies. The EPI, number of times
lambed and number of lambs weaned of the ewes’ dams are also indicated. The ewes have to be
measured at weaning, with at least one known parent to be published on this list.

Follow for the full BLUP series.

07/04/2025

Does your livestock match your pasture?

Cattle, sheep, and goats use pastures differently.

- Terrain: Goats and sheep tend to use steeper areas than cattle.
- Plant Types: Cattle eat mainly grasses while goats browse more shrubs and trees. Sheep are intermediate and have less preference for a specific plant type.
- Selection for Plant Parts: Cattle have large, broad mouths and cannot select specific plant parts well; instead, they typically take large bites of plants. Sheep and goats have small mouths with prehensile lips, which allow them to select specific plant parts

Grazing multiple species can often be complementary, resulting in broader use of available plant types and pasture terrain.

Illustration: John McQuaig

Data:
McDaniel & Tiedeman (1981). Sheep use on mountain winter range in New Mexico.
https://doi.org/10.2307/3898122

Pinchak et al. (1991). Beef cattle distribution patterns on foothill range.
https://doi.org/10.2307/4002956

07/03/2025

Slow-Braised Italian-Style Shredded Lamb with Tomato Sauce 🍖🍅

Ingredients:

1.5 kg bone-in lamb shoulder (or leg of lamb)

Salt and black pepper, to taste

2 tbsp olive oil

1 large onion, finely chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 large carrots, diced

2 celery sticks, diced

06/30/2025

https://www.sheepandgoat.com/_files/ugd/aded98_eb808487e3e64016a207c8a4eef6d319.pdf

06/29/2025

Explanation of BLUP: Post 16

8.9 Ewes with Progeny List

All active ewes with progeny in the flock, born since January of the Evaluation Year – 2 are included in
this list. The ewes are sorted on their ID numbers, with their birth statuses, inbreeding coefficients,
parent information, selection indices, breeding values, breeding value indices and accuracies. The
ewe’s own EPI, the number of times she lambed and the number of lambs she weaned are also indicated.

At the end of the Ewe with Progeny list the average of the ewes are indicated for the selection indices
and breeding values, as well as the number of active ewes of the flock. Inbreeding coefficients of 6.25% and higher are printed in red, to warn the breeders that the recommended level of inbreeding
has been surpassed. These animals should rather not be mated to animals that are related to them.

Follow for the full BLUP series.

Address

Galt, CA

Telephone

9166122046

Website

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