Let's make sure we are using the correct breed names, especially when
trying to help someone not familiar with either breed.
Barbados Blackbelly are polled (neither ram nor ewe has horns). They
are not called barbado or anything other than Barbados Blackbelly.
There are fewer than 500 of these sheep in the U.S. The registry for
Barbados Blackbelly is closed, meaning that only sheep whose parents
are registered can be registered themselves. This helps ensure that
crossbreeds don't slip into the common gene pool.
American Blackbelly rams have horns, and often the ewes have horns or
scurs. They should not be called "barbado," but they often are in
Texas because it is a common nickname. American Blackbelly breeders
have worked hard to develop their breed so that it consistently and
predictably reproduces true to type. White, other than in the tip of
the tail, is a disqualifying trait.
Barbado is not a breed. Barbado sheep meet no breed standard. They
often do not have black bellies or facial barbs. They often are
cross-bred sheep and may display various degrees of wooliness and
off-type markings, but generally are a hair sheep.
Carol
At 07:16 PM 9/25/2011, you wrote:
Definitely Barbado or American Blackbelly- mix with something else.
My AB girls mostly have horn scurs, I would think a true barbado would not.
Carol Elkins
Critterhaven--Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep
(no shear, no dock, no fuss)
Pueblo, Colorado
http://www.critterhaven.biz
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