What Is the Difference Between Barbados Black Belly Sheep & American Black Belly Sheep?

There are visible and set differences between the American blackbelly and Barbados blackbelly sheep. Although both breeds are recognized as hair sheep, their registration and classification differs depending on a number of factors, including the existence of horns.

  1. American Blackbelly

    • American blackbelly sheep are classed apart from Barbados blackbelly sheep in that the rams of the breed possess horns, and the ewes may or may not have horns or horn buds. Ewes of the breed, although having the ability to possess horns or horns buds, can be polled without horns and still retain the same classification. A ram or ewe with horn buds is classed as an American blackbelly sheep. Horn buds, as opposed to horns or scurs, "are short, stumpy horns attached to the skull," according to the Barbados Blackbelly Sheep Association International. This type of hair sheep was originally created by "crossbreeding programs involving primarily Mouflon and Barbados Blackbelly," according to Oklahoma University's Breeds of Livestock Project.

    Barbados Blackbelly

    • To be properly registered as a Barbados blackbelly a key requirement that must be met is that the rams of the breed have no horns or horn buds. This means that both sexes of the breed are polled. Unlike the American blackbelly, factors surrounding the origin of the Barbados blackbelly are uncertain. It is widely accepted that the breed has African ancestry; however, "there is compelling historical evidence that the Barbados blackbelly, as a breed, originated and evolved on the island of Barbados," according to Oklahoma University's Breeds of Livestock Project.

    Registration

    • Classifying a sheep as either American blackbelly or Barbados blackbelly determines the registration of the animal. An ewe lamb that is polled can be incorrectly classified; therefore, the ancestry and offspring are taken into consideration to determine the breed. American blackbelly sheep are able to be registered without ancestral knowledge, such as having the sire and dam registered. "A Barbados blackbelly sheep can be registered only if both its sire and dam are registered," according to the Barbados Blackbelly Sheep Association International. There are a number of different factors, such as head shape, coat and body size that are taken into consideration for registration. The factor that sets a Barbados blackbelly apart from the American blackbelly is the existence of horns.

    Standards

    • In order for a lamb to be registered as either an American blackbelly or Barbados blackbelly there are a number of standards that must be met. These standards are set by the Barbados Blackbelly Sheep Association International. If a "lamb does not meet the breed standards, you would record it rather than register it," the organization says. A lamb that is incorrectly registered as a Barbados blackbelly, but then grows horns or horn buds later in life can have the registration changed. In opposition, if an adult male sheep has significant horn buds, he cannot be registered as either an American or Barbados blackbelly. Furthermore, the association asserts that, "The breed standards specify that American blackbelly rams have a substantial rack of horns and that each horn be equal in size and shape. The standards specify that Barbados blackbelly rams be polled. Therefore, 2-inch horn buds are neither this nor that, and a mature ram with these horn buds carries questionable genetics."