Raising Registered, Pure-Bred Barbados Blackbelly Sheep

We select carefully to produce excellent breeding quality animals; and cull as necessary.  This is why we can also provide excellent quality butcher lambs, in addition to phenotypically perfect breeding lambs.
 
We raise our sheep as naturally as possible. Our pastures are native, unfertilized pastures, and the flock grazes 9 months out of the year (February through October). November through January, they are fed alfalfa hay. Pregnant and lactating ewes are also fed natural grains. We provide fresh water, salt, and a sheep mineral block at all times of the year. We do not vaccinate or worm the flock.  We will not chemically intervene with their natural resistance to disease and parasites.
 
We are proud to be part of a conservation effort - raising registered and pure-bred Barbados Blackbelly Sheep. All sheep are polled (hornless) and are registered with the Barbados Blackbelly Sheep Association International (BBSAI).


Members: Barbados Blackbelly Sheep Association International (BBSAI)    

History and Description of Barbados Blackbelly Sheep:

The Barbados Blackbelly breed originally developed on the West Indies island of Barbados from hair sheep brought in by African slave traders during the 1600s. In 1904, the USDA imported four ewes and a ram to Bethesda, Maryland. Offspring from those sheep, as well as BB sheep making their way into the U.S. from imports into South America and Mexico, established several “colonies” of BB sheep in the U.S. Some of these BB sheep were crossed in the southwest United States with horned Ramboulliet and Mouflan to create a horned version known informally as "barbado" and now officially known as American Blackbelly. The original polled (hornless) sheep as they appeared on the Island of Barbados are known as Barbados Blackbelly. Today a small group of dedicated breeders are committed to the preservation of this rare breed of original Barbados Blackbelly sheep. Barbados Blackbelly sheep are known for their excellent tender and mild meat quality, their ease of care, their resistence to disease and parasites, and their prolific all-season breeding and lambing. 


                                                                PHOTOS OF SHEEP LIVING ON OUR FARM!!