Africa.” Characteristics that make Dorpers hardy enough
for the South African environment make them ideal for
our South Georgia climate and feeding conditions.
The ideal Dorper has a solid white body and black
head and neck. “There is a white Dorper, but we don’t have
those,” said Sunshine. Because they are of a hair sheep
variety, they do not need to be sheared. “They'll shed and
may keep a little wool on their topline, but that helps
protect them from sunburn.” Even though the texture of
84 TOOMBS COUNTY MAGAZINE
Three Central Asian Shepherds guard the sheep 24 hours a day. The
aggressive breed is trained to keep coyotes and other predators
away from the sheep who can't be insured like some livestock.
the sheep hair looked similar to wool, Sunshine said, “It
can’t be used. It’s no good.”
The sheep are only sheared when being shown at
shows. “We just got back from a Southern States Dorper
Show and Sale in Cookeville, Tennessee,” said Sunshine.
“There’s a Mid-America Show and Sale in Duncan,
Oklahoma, and a Midwest Stud Ram Show and Sale in
Sedalia, Missouri.” All of these shows were for registered
stock only. “Our son Luke is preparing for his first show in
Douglas, Georgia. We’re all excited about that.”
Trace Bell, Sunshine’s 9th grade neighbor, began
helping out at Rockin’ C Farms the first of the year. “That’s
been a great help,” said Sunshine. “He’s getting ready to
show three ewes at a 4-H show. They're all halter broke and
well trained.”
Sunshine pointed to a small group of recently-weaned
ram lambs. “These will be sold. We’re very particular about
which rams we keep.” Pointing to one particular large ram,
she said, “They either make the cut or they don’t. Even
though that one came from an Australian embryo, and he’s
worth a lot, he doesn’t make the cut because he has skewed
pasterns,” an unacceptable trait for a breed meant to thrive
in this location.