Barbados Blackbelly Sheep are very distinct colored hair sheep. There are two breeds of distinct Blackbelly breeds. The original Barbados Blackbelly Sheep are polled (no horns) while the American Blackbelly sheep have great horns. Refer to our identification page to determine the difference between Barbados and American Blackbelly Sheep.

Prolific Breeders

Optimally, a ewe is first bred no earlier than 6 months of age and thus will lamb at 13 months. Some ewes do lamb earlier, and some may even twin the first time. Thereafter, a good ewe will birth twins about four out of five lambings, and triplets are not uncommon. A good ewe will lamb as frequently as every 6 months, and most will lamb about every 8 months. Ewes will breed back before their lambs are weaned. The gestation period is five months (153 ± 8 days). Ram lambs can breed as young as 4 months, but most become fertile at 6 months.

Excellent Mothers

Blackbelly lambs are small; singles weigh up to about 8 lb and most twins weigh 4 to 5 lb. Ewes rarely require assistance during lambing, are excellent mothers, and quickly bond to their lambs. The mothers isolate their babies from the flock on their own, finding shelter from cold winds and heavy rains, and bond during the first 24 hours.

Low Maintenance

Because Barbados Blackbelly are hair sheep, they need no shearing. They grow a long winter coat of hair with a very fine undercoat of wool. The undercoat sheds first and is held by the long guard hairs until the sheep rubs both fibers off in clumps. The colder the climate the heavier the coat; it adapts to the tropics as well as northern Canada. The tails do not require docking because the hair does not retain manure or debris. The Blackbelly is a shearless wonder!

Docile or Wild

Blackbellies raised on large pastures and ranches tend to be wild and spooky. However, these sheep can be gentled by a patient shepherd with a feed bucket, soft voice, and slow movements. Bottle-fed ewe lambs, in particular, can make excellent pets.

Versatile Eaters

The Barbados Blackbelly does well on about any kind of feed. Crushed corn, rolled oats, sweet feeds, and mixed rations are good choices. Most feed mills make sheep pellets and show rations for sheep. The Blackbelly requires much less feed than the large wool breeds. Many breeders feed only a grassy alfalfa hay with no grain at all. Our sheep do very well on the poorer and cheaper hays. We recommend that you always offer mineral supplements. Be very careful to select feed and minerals that do not contain copper. You can accidentally kill your sheep with feeds not specifically prepared for sheep because such feeds often contain copper. Sheep or sheep and goat minerals have no copper added, and you can usually offer them as free choice.

Hardy and Healthy

Barbados Blackbelly sheep have a reputation for being disease and parasite resistant—much more so than the wool breeds. Good management and pasture rotation will minimize parasite problems. There are no known cases of scrapie in hair sheep. The Blackbelly thrives in all climates and seeks shelter when necessary.

Mild Flavored

Barbados Blackbelly meat is unsurpassed by other red meats. It is low in fat and cholesterol but high in protein, which makes it a very healthful choice. There is no muttony taste, even in 2-year-old rams. Unlike meat from most wooled breeds of lamb, Blackbelly meat is very mild flavored and lean, like venison. It is a favorite among ethnic groups, who prefer it over beef.

Easy to Market:

• Meat (lamb and mutton)


• Pasture improvement


• Brush and weed control


• Co-species grazing programs


• Breeding stock


• Club lambs


• Hobby livestock


• Ag exemptions (property tax)


• Trophy rams (horned only)


• Cutting horse training


• Stock dog training


• Upgrade programs (ewes only)

We would like to thank the BBSAI for providing information on the Blackbelly Sheep.