Barbados Blackbelly sheep - if you want something that's easy to care for and handle this may be the breed for you. A hair sheep, there is no shearing involved. Being the main shepherd in the family, having a animal that I can handle by myself to worm, trim hooves, castrate, and check general overall health, I needed something that wasn't so big that I couldn't turn it over by myself if needed. These sheep are do-able. While many people say the the Barbados are flighty, with regular handling they are just as tame and mild mannered as any other sheep.
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Prolific and hearty - this ewe regularly produces and maintains triplets. |
| The boy - In attempting to upgrade my herd I purchased 'Francisco' from Mary Swindell Bellwether Farm. He is a naturally polled Barbados Blackbelly and what a nice animal he is. He has the best temperament for a ram that I've come across. He is big and yet very handleable. I can't turn him over by myself, but I haven't needed to. I can corner him and check whatever is needed with him being patient and not so skittish to blow right on through me. I'm very excited to get my first lamb crop from him in spring 2009. |
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2006 Lamb Crop
Member of the BBSAI. Barbados Blackbelly Sheep Association International and Michigan Sheep Breeders Association