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Damara sheep adapt to wet climate

Posted on December 10, 2009, 3:03pm and updated on December 11, 2009 at 9:38 am

Damara sheep
When Allie Pitman and her family moved from the Riverland to the South East in 2007 they brought with them a small menagerie of animals, including dogs, birds and half a dozen unique Damara crossbred sheep.

Standing out from the flock, the Damara crossbreds are an African/Middle Eastern breed with goat-like features that Allie had first purchased because of their ability to tolerate dry, hot conditions.

“They were the perfect breed for our previous property in the Riverland, where the rainfall was much lower,” Mrs Pitman said.

“They have coped very well with the greener pastures of our Yahl property.

“They have bred well this year, with most ewes producing twins.”

Among those making the journey were three of Mrs Pitman’s hand-reared favourites — Cat, Ashalea and Bree — named after the 2004 Big Brother contestants.

With the flock now growing to 14, Mrs Pitman said an added bonus of the breed was they required little upkeep.

“Pure Damaras don’t have wool, but some of the crossbreeds do,” she said.

“Their wool is shed naturally each spring.

“Because of this there are no problems with fly strike and no shearing.

“There’s no need for crutching or mulesing and, being a fat tail breed, the tail is always left on as mother nature intended.

“They are also attractive and something different to look at.”

  • Picture: Allie (left) and Ebony Pitman with a pair of Damara crossbred lambs.
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