Sheep : AFRICAN FOUR HORNED SHEEP

Origin: South Africa and central west Africa

Australian Status:

International Status:

Arrived in Australia: Early 2000’s

Australian Population: 100 (2017)

Distribution:

History: First brought to Australia in the early 2000's by embryo transfer from a quarantined flock in their country of origin, South Africa, by Denis Russell of South Australia. They were red colour, however also threw other colours. The Russells live on a property near Bordertown and their Genelink business brought the sheep in. By 2016 there were four breeders, all concentrating on different traits, some aiming for carcass breeding hence retaining the cleanskin trait, others allowing some wool. Gradually more people are becoming breeders as enough sheep are produced to sell on.

Breed traits: Striking sheep with smooth coats, most being cleanskins, some having a bit of wool, being rich colours with eye-catching horns.

This breed comes in several colours, and in parti colour and spots. The body is robust, as they're a meat breed. The males, and sometimes, the females may grow four horns. Some are unicorns (one horn), some have two, however four horned females are sought. Ram horns grow far bigger than female. 3, 5 and 6 horns are at times seen!

Run in the wild in their homeland, these sheep have the instinct to be wary, so are best handled frequently to keep them quiet, and they don't like dogs being used. They are docile once used to regular contact. In winter the cleanskins grow a protective coat of down which they shed as the summer approaches.

They're a tall, long legged breed and big framed, so good on big country. As horns are the primary concern, those not having the desired 2 or 4 are the culls sold for meat. This hardy breed is able to thrive on low quality feed, and grows fast, so is a good meat proposition for tough country.

Uses: Meat, Curiosity value for their horns.

Breed Organisation: None, although business Genelink would have some records and are very helpful.

Additonal Notes:

Photo : African Four Horned Sheep, the ram "Catfish" belongs to Rachel Barnes who kindly let us use this photo. He was originally from Genelink.

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