And that is why the Barbados Blackkbelly almost became extinct in the
U.S. The average person didn't realize that there were two separate
breeds. Everyone was calling the horned breed "Barbados Blackbelly,"
leading us to believe that there were plenty of BB sheep. In fact, in
2004, there were only 100 BB sheep in the U.S.
When we started educating the public about the different breeds and
and teaching breeders to use the correct breed name for the sheep
they sold ("barbado" is not a breed name), BB numbers increased; we
now have over 1700 registered BB sheep.
In addition, educating the public about the difference in breeds
ensures that a person will be able to buy the breed that they
actually want and not contaminate their flock with genetics from the
unwanted breed. No one wants their beautiful horned American
Blackbelly flock to suddenly start producing rams with short horns or
scurs because they accidentally bought some "barbado" ewes at auction
that turned out to be Barbados Blackbelly.
The whole reason this email group was started in 2004 was to help
educate breeders about the difference in breeds and to provide a
resource to breeders of both breeds. It is up to the breeders to try
to force a change in policy at their local auctions and explain that
it is unethical to sell a sheep as one thing when it is in fact another.
Carol
At 11:18 AM 12/26/2014, you wrote:
At the Mt Hope Auction there is no distinction between Barbados
Blackbelly or American Blackbelly, they are all Barbado. I quit
trying to explain the difference.
Carol Elkins
Critterhaven--Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep
(no shear, no dock, no fuss)
Pueblo, Colorado
http://www.critterhaven.biz
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