OUR SHEEP

The Barbados Blackbelly is an indigenous breed to Barbados. It descends from sheep brought to the islands from West Africa during the slave era. Blackbellies are "antelope like" in appearance, brown tan or yellow in color, with black points and under-parts. Both ewes and rams are should be polled or have only small scurs or diminutive horns. They may have some visible fuzzy wool undercoat within their hair coat, but it should shed along with the hair each year. White splotches or speckles on the shoulder, back or rump are permitted.

According to documented history of the breed, Barbados Blackbelly sheep should possess the following traits: 1) tolerance of hot and humid climates; 2) resistance to parasites; 3) resistance to foot problems; 4) a-seasonality of breeding; 5) high rate of twinning (but low rate of high multiples; 6) ease of lambing; and 7) lean carcass on a moderate-sized frame. https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/barbados-blackbelly

Soay sheep are a rare breed originating from only two islands off the west coast of Scotland.  They are believed to be the ancestors of the first domestic sheep.

These heritage sheep are aloof, wary, and graceful, resembling small antelope or deer. They shed their wool naturally in the spring. They are hardy, disease-resistant animals, shy yet curious. With continual gentle exposure to human keepers, they become familiar and tame, eventually eating from their shepherd’s hand.

Rams develop beautiful full-curl horns that lend a majestic appearance. The ewes may either sport less dramatic horns, have button horns (called “scurs”) or be naturally polled. Wethers (castrated males) make good lawnmowers, fleece producers, and develop horns correlating with the age at which they were neutered.

Like antelope, Soay sheep “stott” (sprint-jump on all fours) when alarmed or exuberant. 

Soay are small, averaging 45-60 pounds for ewes and 60-70 for males. Their size makes them easy to handle, and feasible for a shepherd to handle them alone. Their small size and light weight impacts pastures less than heavier meat and wool breeds. Soay require reliable fencing, shelter from rain, adequate shade, and a safe-for-sheep (no copper) mineral supplement. Providing good quality hay and augmenting forage with alfalfa or commercial sheep ration during late pregnancy and lactation will keep ewes in good condition and help lambs to thrive.  http://soaysheep.com/about-soay-sheep.html