Briefly, the breed began decades ago as a cross between polled Barbados Blackbelly, domestic Rambouillet and feral Mouflon.  The cross was selectively bred for the exotic coat coloring of the Barbados Blackbelly, and the massive horns produced by the rams for the trophy hunting market.

The cross goes by numerous names, including Corsican, Barbado, Blackbelly Barbados and even Barbados Blackbelly.  There is a lot of unfortunate confusion, which is exacerbated by the fact that several entities exist, which register the sheep without differentiating between the original parent Barbados stock and subsequent crosses.  To my knowledge, all these registries (including BBSAI) are still “open,” meaning new animals can be registered without proof of parentage, as long as they meet that registry’s breed standard and in some cases, progeny testing.

We decided, after a lot of investigation into the matter, that the BBSAI, a legal, not for profit entity, had it right.  They have been registering the sheep according to the Barbados Blackbelly standard since 1996, and maintain a sophisticated database of all sheep registered since the inception of the organization.  In 2004, the membership voted to split the registry, permanently dividing the polled Barbados and the newly named horned American Blackbelly.  This division assures that breeders of polled stock will not inadvertently introduce horned genetics when buying in registered animals.  In addition, breeders of horned stock, which may be breeding for rams with trophy horns, will not inadvertently crash their breeding program by bringing polled genetics into their flocks.

The split also gives the American Blackbelly breed, I believe, permanent status as a standardized breed, because the registry is in the hands of a legal organization, operating under a set of member-mandated by-laws, and not one individual fancier.  In addition to the registry database, the BBSAI is now working with the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy directly on behalf of the American Blackbelly for recognition as a Landrace-becoming-Standardized Breed, under their “Study” designation.

In the meantime, breeders of American Blackbelly sheep are free to pursue their priorities for the breed.  The trophy hunting market will always play a huge part in the breed’s history, so some breeders will continue to emphasize the magnificent horns that the rams are capable of producing.  Some breeders will have a market for both trophy rams and meat animals.  Some people keep the sheep for environmentally viable weed, grass and brush control.  Blacklocust Farm chooses to emphasize the incredibly delicate and delicious Blackbelly lamb products that are probably one of the world’s best kept culinary secrets!

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BREED:

SIZE:  The size of the sheep tends to be small to medium.  This is an advantage for one- or two-person operations which do not wish to wrangle pony-sized rams.  Most handling can be done without a lot of equipment.

TEMPERAMENT:  The sheep tend to be flighty and somewhat feral, though their behavior can be modified by a quiet and thoughtful shepherd.

FERTILITY:  The American Blackbelly retains the extremely desirable attributes of year-round breeding, generally producing multiple lambs.  This makes them ideal for accelerated lambing programs.  Our experience is that they are excellent mothers.  Ewe lambs in good health generally attain sexual maturity at a very early age, and frequently lamb as yearlings.  Ram lambs generally need to be separated from the ewes before the age of 4 months.

 
PARASITE RESISTANCE:  There is research to suggest that the parent Barbados Blackbelly is genetically more parasite resistant than most wool breeds.  Our experience suggests that this highly desirable trait has not necessarily been selected for in the American Blackbelly.  The continuance of a desirable and heritable trait is entirely in the breeder’s court.  However I must offer a qualification.  We have personal experience to suggest that environment and nutrition play an enormous role in the susceptibility (or exposure) of the AB to parasites.  In arid areas with extremes of temperature, we have evidence to suggest that the sheep may be virtually free of parasites.  In our wet, mild climate, however, parasites can be a scourge.  We are working on, and having success with, alternative forms of parasite control, including pasture rotation where possible.  We perform fecal exams routinely to monitor parasite loads. All we can say about this particular trait is, “your results may vary.”

MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS:  Generally the American Blackbelly is quite a hearty animal that requires little special attention outside sound husbandry practices by the shepherd.  The sheep are a hair breed, which grows a wool undercoat for protection in winter, then sheds the wool in the spring/summer, thus eliminating the need for shearing.  The birds and small animals seem to make off with virtually every fiber of the downy nesting material.  We do not object to a good amount of wool in the winter; it is greasy and waterproof, and adds to the winter survivability of the animal while reducing the need for shelter.  It insulates the animal and reduces the consumption of feed just to generate calories for body heat.  However, the animal MUST shed in the late spring/summer.  Regarding shelter requirements, we feel that the animals must have a place to get their feet dry during our long, wet winters and springs, so we do provide barn space for them.

The lambs do not need to be docked, as any dirty wool is shed in the spring.

The need for vaccinations and chemical intervention for conditions such as parasites, foot rot, etc. rests entirely with the management goals of the breeder.  We don’t promote the “throw ‘em out in the brush and forget ‘em” management style.  It works for lots of people, but it doesn’t address our integral management goals of optimal sheep health, breed improvement and rebuilding the fertility of our farm.  That being said, there are many flocks thriving without a lot of fuss and bother from the shepherd.

The American Blackbelly sheep is a magnificent animal.  It is a breed that is in need of dedicated breeders who are focused on improvement and historical documentation through registry of breeding animals.  Breeders working together toward a common goal and high standard will help assure the American Blackbelly is a major player in the renaissance of the American Small Farm.



TO LEARN MORE ABOUT AMERICAN BLACKBELLY SHEEP AND BARBADOS BLACKBELLY SHEEP, OR TO FIND SHEEP, VISIT THESE SITES:

Breeders:  Please allow us to list your website/email address here!  Contact Barb Lee, info@BLACKLOCUSTFARM.NET

Barbados Blackbelly Sheep Assn., Int'l  http://www.blackbellysheep.org

Critterhaven  http://www.blackbellysheep.com 
The Web's most complete source for Blackbelly Sheep Information!

To view lots of wonderful pictures of Blackbelly Sheep, both American and Barbados, visit the BBSAI's online photo contest album:  http://www.picturetrail.com/gid9839670