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Polled Dorsets - SOLD OUT

Even though the exact origins of the Dorset sheep is unknown, we do
know they were a breed of sheep which spread over Dorset, Somerset, Devon, and most of Wales in the UK and were called Horned Dorsets.

Polled Dorsets came about as a result of a mutation which occurred in the purebred Horned Dorset flock at the North Carolina State College, Raleigh, NC. After careful research and testing to assure that the Polled Dorset carried the same characteristics as the Horned Dorsets and were able to propagate these traits, the new strain was accepted into the U.S. registry in 1956.

Both Horned and Polled Dorsets are an all white sheep of medium size having good body length and muscle conformation to produce a desirable carcass. The fleece is very white, strong, close and free from dark fiber. Dorset fleeces average five to nine pounds (2.25-4 kg) in the ewes with a yield of between 50% and 70%. The staple length ranges from 2.5 to 4 inches (6-10 cm) with a numeric count of 46's-58's. Dorset ewes weigh from 150 to 200 pounds at maturity. Dorset rams weigh from 225 to 275 pounds at maturity.

Dorsets are one of the few breeds that carry the "out-of-season" breeding characteristic. The ewes are good mothers, good milkers and multiple births are not uncommon. Dorsets work well in commercial situations both in the ewe flock and from a terminal sire aspect