Barbados Blackbelly Sheep is raised mainly for their high reproductive efficiency and also well adaptable for most of the climates. The breed is a cross between African hair sheep and European wool breeds around the 1600s.
Barbados is a hair sheep breed originated on the island of Barbados.
Barbados Blackbelly Sheep breed information
Sheep has reddish-brown on the body with black on the belly and legs.
Barbados rams have a mane of thick hair that extends down the neck.
Both barbados ram and ewe are polled (no horns)
The mature ram weighs around 55 kg (120 lbs) while the mature ewes weigh around 40 kg (90 lbs).
Rams are around 32 inches at withers and ewes are around 26 inched at withers.
They reproduce non-seasonally, they can breed all year round.
They produce twins and some times triplets too. They can lamb twice a year.
They are very gentle, but it comes to protecting their lambs, strangers should be careful.
They are the best foragers, will not foss on the food.
Things to know
Barbados Blackbelly sheep thrive in the hot, humid environments that are challenging for most sheep but also do well in colder climates.
The ewes maintain pregnancies throughout the heat of the summer.
They can be bred twice a year, for every 6 to 8-month intervals. During their first lambing, only one lamb can be expected. But on subsequent lambing twins and triplets are normal.
They are highly resistant to disease.
The Barbados Blackbelly Sheep Association International (BBSAI) reports that the number of annual Barbados Blackbelly registrations has risen from 82 in 2007 to 248 in 2010.
Brief characteristics of Barbados Blackbelly Sheep
| Breed Name | Barbados Blackbelly Sheep | |
| Other Name | Black Belly or Barbados Barriga Nigra | |
| Country/Place of Origin | Barbados, Caribbean | |
| Breed Purpose | Meat | |
| Breed Size | Medium | |
| Weight Ram(Male) | 55 kg (120 lbs) | |
| Ewe(Female) | 40 kg (90 lbs) | |
| Kidding | two or three | |
| Good for Stall Fed | open grazing | |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates |
Check the Classifieds for Barbados sheep for sale. The best Blackbelly sheep can be available only on the Barbados Blackbelly Sheep Association International.
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The weights for this breed are not accurate as Barbados Blackbelly rams are known to reach 250lbs and sometimes more while ewes can weigh up to 130lbs.