Barbados Blackbelly Sheep by Ghirin

Barbados Blackbelly Sheep by Ghirin

The Barbados Blackbelly sheep is one of the many breeds of hair sheep found in tropical areas of the world. Hair sheep, unlike the better known wool breeds, have very little or no fleece and are raised for the production of meat and leather.

The ancestors of the Barbados Blackbelly were brought to the island of Barbados in the 1600s. The breed is believed to be a combination of African hair sheep and European wool sheep and has become well adapted to the tropical environment of the West Indies.

The Barbados Blackbelly has a distinctive color pattern. They range in color from light tan to a dark mahogany red, with black breed markings on the face, legs, belly, inguinal region, chin, and chest. Both rams and ewes from Barbados are polled (hornless), though Blackbelly rams in the US may have horns.

This bred of sheep is very hardy and easy to keep. Females often give birth to 2 or more lambs at a time and usually have no problem producing enough milk for them.

The Barbados Blackbelly sheep is compatible with other breeds of hair sheep.

Created by Ghirin 2003

Updated 2010-10-30

Just to save space with less in zip and smaller image.

Nothing new.