Barbados Blackbelly
Barbados Blackbelly ram
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| Country of origin | Barbados |
| Distribution | 25 countries world-wide, mainly Caribbean and South America |
| Use | Meat |
| Traits | |
| Face color | Black, brown |
| Notes | |
| Able to tolerate heat | |
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The Barbados Blackbelly is a breed of domestic sheep from the Caribbean island of Barbados. Although it is likely the Barbados Blackbelly has African ancestry, there seems to be clear evidence that the breed, as seen today, was developed by the people on the island from sheep brought by ships fairly early in the period after Europeans first arrived. This breed is raised primarily for meat. It is widely distributed, with populations in twenty-five countries in the Americas, Asia and Europe. It is most abundant in the Caribbean region, in Mexico and in Peru. In 2015 the total world population was estimated at about 158,000. In 2014, the U.S. reported 1,971 registered sheep.
In 1904, the USDA imported a small flock and transported them for study to Bethesda, Maryland. From that original flock, at least two distinct breeds have emerged in the U.S., and there is a great deal of confusion in the breed names. In 2004, there were fewer than 200 purebred Barbados Blackbelly sheep in the U.S., in contrast to a large and growing population of a popular crossbreed, commonly referred to as "Barbado." Whereas purebred Barbados Blackbelly rams and ewes are polled (hornless), the Barbado is most noted for the regal rack of horns on the rams, and some ewes may also have small horns. The horns were gained by crossbreeding Barbados Blackbelly with Mouflon and Rambouillet early after they were imported by the USDA. The rams with large horn curl are commercially bred for use on private hunting ranches where size of horn curl is prized by exotic game hunters.
Recognizing that the term "Barbado" did not adequately define the characteristics that breeders sought in the horned animal, the Barbados Blackbelly Sheep Association International (BBSAI) adopted a breed standard in 2004 and defined animals meeting this standard as "American Blackbelly." As a result, breeders of both breeds of sheep were better able to obtain genetics of their breed of choice with some certainty that the animals would breed to type. In 2014, there were more than 1,900 registered Barbados Blackbelly sheep in the U.S., and although the breed is not out of danger, it is far more stable than it has ever been in the U.S.
Blackbelly sheep of both breeds are able to tolerate heat and exhibit more stamina than most breeds of sheep. They are fleet of foot and in many ways resemble deer. They are "hair sheep," which means they do not grow wool but have coarse hair instead. If raised in cooler climates, they often develop a wool undercoat that they shed in the spring.
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Wikipedia