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Damara Sheep

Damara sheep originated from the Hamites of Eastern Asia and Egypt and have migrated to their present area of Southern Africa. Damara sheep are one of the oldest breeds of sheep in the world, some sources believing they could have been present in Egypt as early as 3000 BC. Due to the Damara sheep being isolated from other breeds through out their history, their bloodlines are relatively uncontaminated with European sheep breeds.

Damara are very adaptable to most environmental conditions. They are excellent grazers even in the most arid areas and the Damara's browsing habits are much the same as goats. Damara's need little water to survive, breed and prosper. Damara's can lamb every 6-9 months and the ewes are not seasonal so they can reproduce any time of the year. They produce twins in about 10% of births and the Damara have very maternal instincts and raise they lamb easily.

They have great virility and have been known to continuously breed until they are 13 years old. Being mainly a hair sheep, and having very active ears and skin Damara's seem to have a resistance to most sheep diseases and don't get fly blown. As such they are a very easy and low maintenance animal to raise. They have a strong herd instinct which makes them extremely easy to move and work.

Damara's are predominately bred as meat sheep as their meat is lean, tender, juicy and doesn't have a strong mutton taste. They have a fat "V" shaped tail in which they store all their fat reserves for hard, drought times, much like the hump on a camel. Damaras can be a variety of colors from black to brown to white and a reddish colour. Their skins are quite valuable and are used in garments such as fine leather for gloves.