How many are currently raising hair breeds of sheep?

n8ivetxn

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I have a flock of about 30, registered, Barbados Blackbelly hair sheep...

I chose them based on several things: they are very rare and need help building their numbers, their beautiful appearance (- like small deer with a black belly), resistance to parasites and other common sheep problems. And, like other hair breeds, they are low maintenance. They're very good for controlling the dense brush and undergrowth we have in western Washington.....

Bush Creek Farm primarily raises BB for seed stock (starter flocks), but we also have freezer lamb available.

We've had BB sheep for 3 years, more or less, before that I raised miniature polled Hereford cattle.

Our results have been very positive and we've worked hard to establish and grow our local markets - which seems to be good, we always sell all our lambs! Mostly as starter flocks.

The Barbados Blackbelly is the smallest of the hair sheep breeds and they're slow growing, which isn't very desirable in commercial circles, but we feel like they have great traits that are worth saving for the future. If they become extinct in the US, we won't be able to import more.
 

n8ivetxn

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I see a few people mentioned the disposition and temperament of the blackbelly breeds.... well, mine are not flighty at all! As a matter of fact, if I sit in a chair, they'll practically crawl in my lap. They push and shove each other around, trying to get closer to me.... it's quite funny :) Even my rams like a good scratch on the chest or between the shoulders.... I have 5 week old twin ewes, they jump on me like dogs when I go out to feed, LOL.... as bad as bottle babies :)
 

soarwitheagles

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We presently have 10 pregnant American Blackbelly ewes ready to drop with one American Blackbelly ram that keeps the ewes producing. We also picked up what I think are two Dorper lambs...whatever they are, they are growing 2-3 times faster than the American Blackbelly sheep, putting on pound after pound after pound. I'll do my best to take some pics and post them.

I am beginning to lean more toward the idea of populating with more Dorpers. It appears both the American Blackbelly and the Dorpers tend to browse and graze, and that is what we are interested in now. We are hoping to make and keep the back forest nice and clean...and hopefully browsing will get the job done...

Dorper 1.JPG
Dorper 2.JPG
Dorper 2.JPG
Sheep pic 1.JPG
 
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Baymule

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Ok, I was just joking. Those really are our American Blackbelly Sheep!

On the other hand, can anyone confirm the little white sheep with the black/dark brown heads are Dorpers?
Yup. You have Dorpers. I have 4 ewes that are Dorper crossed with Katahdin and they are all splotchy, the colors go crazy when they are cross bred. I want a good Dorper ram for them. They were bred to a Katahdin ram and so far I have 4 lambs.
 
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