How To "Dorper Proof" Your Fence
There are many reasons...
We are told that they are a low maintenance, easy -care breed of sheep and ideal for anyone who has limited knowledge of caring for sheep.
Some of the characteristics of the Dorper include
- Adaptability to and hardiness for a variety of climatic and grazing conditions.
- High fertility and reproduction rates.
- High growth rates
- Good muscling and low fat
- Low maintenance - minimal shearing required if any, (Shed their own hair), flystrike resistant, no mulesing required at all.
Now back to the Fencing ...
We have had feedback from a number of farmers who have used both plain/barbed wires with droppers and also prefab fencing.
One farmer in Ivanhoe, NSW, thinks the lightning droppers are the best on the market. Bought 3000 last year and hasn't had the need to replace any droppers because of damage.
One of our distributors in Hillston has told us about another client from Ivanhoe, who uses 8 plain wire (barb top & Bottom) placing posts 8 mtrs apart & 2 droppers in the middle to house his Dorpers successfully.
Rob Cooper from Waitipinga, South Australia said "Lightning fence droppers have saved me thousands of dollars. My existing 8 strand plain wire fences were not Dorper-proof - Dorpers are renowned for being hard on fences. They would hardly break stride to get through the plain wire fences previously.
These droppers have 100% sheep proofed my existing fences at a fraction of the price of ring lock. They are very quick to install, too. Very impressed. Beautifully designed product."
(All Rob did was to add a barbed wire close to the ground and Lightning Fence Droppers in between posts.)
The key points they have all agreed upon when it comes to a Dorper Proofing your Fence are:
- Use your existing fence (if you have one). Place a barbed wire on the top and on the bottom. The bottom barbed wire should be close to the ground.
- Install Lightning Fence Droppers. Gaps between posts and droppers should be no larger than 3 metres
- Fill in any hollow points below the bottom wire with soil or use a mesh where water needs to flow.
- DO NOT USE a barbed wire in the middle of the fence. Dorpers will scratch their backs on it and you will end up with an ugly, hairy fence.
4 Good reasons for using Lightning Fence Droppers
- Save Thousands by not having to replace your whole fence
- Save Time - Quick and easy to install.
- Super Strong - Made of Hi-Tensile Spring Wire strong enough to handle the impact of a charging bull. (and you’re worried about a Dorper?)
- Can be made to suit your fence if standard sizes are unsuitable