Sheep : African Four Horned

Country of Origin 

South Africa and Central West Africa

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Australian Status:

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Uses

 

Meat. Curiosity value for horns

 

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Breed traits

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

This hardy breed is able to thrive on low quality feed, and grows fast, so is a good meat proposition for tough country

The breed comes in several colours and spots. The body is robust, as they are 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 aimed for. Ram horns grow far bigger than females - 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,. They are docile once used to regular contact. This breed do not like dogs being used.  In winter the cleanskins grow a protective coat of down which they shed as the summer approaches.

They are a tall, long legged breed and big framed, so do well on big country. As horns are the primary concern, those not having the desired 2 or 4 are the culls sold for meat..

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History

The African Four Horned Sheep was brought to Australia in the early 2000's by Denis Russell of Genelink Pty Ltd, South Australia. through embryo transfer from a quarantined flock in their country of origin, South Africa, They were red colour, however they also threw other colours. 

As at 2016 there were four breeders, all concentrating on different traits. Some have aimed for carcasse breeding hence retaining the cleanskin trait, others have allowed some wool.

Gradually more people are becoming breeders as enough sheep are produced to sell on.

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Breed Organisation

None.

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Australian Population

2017 100

2022 No numbers recorded

 

 

Photo : With permission - African Four Horned Sheep, the ram "Catfish"
belongs to Rachel Barnes.  He was originally from Genelink.

 

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