BARBADOS BLACKBELLY SHEEP

The Barbados Blackbelly is a hair sheep breed that evolved on the island of Barbados in the Caribbean. The breed descends from crosses of African hair sheep and European wooled breeds that were brought to the island beginning in the mid-1600s.

In the 1970s, Dr. Lemuel Goode of North Carolina State University imported a small number of Barbados Blackbelly sheep directly from the island. Sheep from this importation have been the foundation for pure Barbados Blackbelly sheep in the US. In 1996, this flock was sold to a private breeder. Shortly thereafter, recognizing the genetic crisis that was extinguishing the breed in the US, a handful of private breeders formed an informal cooperative to preserve the remaining genetics and reestablish the breed in the US..

Barbados Blackbelly sheep are naturally polled (hornless). They were important in creating the American Blackbelly, a distinct modern breed prized for their horns and larger size. The Barbados Blackbelly Sheep Association International represents breeders of both Barbados Blackbelly and American Blackbelly sheep. However, only Barbados Blackbelly sheep are on the Conservation Priority List.

Barbados Blackbelly sheep have a reddish-brown or tan body with black on the belly and legs and black facial bars. Rams have a mane of thick hair that extends down the neck and brisket and may cover the shoulder. Ears point forward from the side without drooping. Both sexes are polled. They are known for their unique red eyes. They are non-seasonal producers, meaning they breed and lamb year-round. The ewes can maintain pregnancies throughout the heat of the summer. The ewes are prolific, producing twins or triplets, and can lamb twice a year under supportive husbandry conditions.

The Barbados Blackbelly is a slow-maturing breed that reaches its mature weight around 2 years of age. Slow growth and a relatively small body size were favored by both natural and human selection in the Caribbean. Recent studies in Barbados have demonstrated that a higher plane of nutrition will yield larger sheep, and indeed, the frame size of Barbados Blackbelly in the US tends to be larger than on the island due to the greater availability of high-nutrient forages and concentrates. The lamb and mutton of the Barbados Blackbelly has an excellent, mild flavor.

Barbados Blackbelly sheep thrive in the hot, humid environments that are challenging for most sheep, but also adapt to colder climates. Barbados Blackbellys are excellent foragers and can survive on poor-quality pasture, though they require better quality forage for optimum growth. They are highly resistant to disease and can tolerate a higher worm load without requiring chemical intervention.

This alert breed is low-maintenance as it does not require shearing – they naturally shed their wool each year. They are sociable and like to be in groups. They can be a good option for farmers who do not have a lot of experience with sheep.  Smaller sheep tolerate heat more easily, appeal to smaller families, and are well-suited to smaller properties.

Did you know:

Heritage breeds are living history. They help tell stories about the lives of people in places like George Washington’s Mount Vernon and Colonial Williamsburg.  Did you know President Washington is credited with creating the American Mammoth Jack donkey?