American Blackbelly Sheep, Anyone?

[Rare Feathers Farm]

I'm looking for a ewe & a ram in Washington State--although I'd consider Northern Idaho/NW Montana or Northern Oregon, as well....

Also, if anyone has any--I've got some questions about them, in general...

Thanks!

~Heather

 

[WrenAli]

Not sure about the American Black belly other than they are a hair sheep.. I know the Barbados can be wild and hard to tame/handle.

Any reason you are looking at the breed? *I have some Katahdin Hair sheep for sale*

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Well about three years ago, my husband "won" the food drive with his computer class at the highschool he teaches at. As the "winner" he had to kiss a sheep. It was a GORGEOUS ram...I finally tracked down the pics and discovered it was an American Blackbelly. Since then, I've been wanting a pair of them for breeding...and weed control. I have two goats right now but they don't do anything (besides stink & escape)...so I thought if I was going to have something stinky, it might as well be something I could breed & enjoy looking at...

What are Katahdin Hair Sheep? What do you do with them?

 

[WrenAli]

Katahdins are similar to American Black Bellies in that they are a hair sheep and are raised for meat.

Hair sheep grow a winter coat and then shed it out in the spring. So no shearing is needed. I raise mine for meat, pets and living lawn mowers. They take little care and are great mothers.
They come in a bunch of different colors. Black, brown, pinto, white.

They will breed twice a year, unlike most other sheep breeds. They grow well on just pasture and can be very tame and friendly. Plus you don't have to dock their tails!

Here is a ewe (left) that is in the process of shedding and the ewe on the right is is shed out.

Pinto Ewe lamb

I got my current herd ram from some breeders up in Tonasket, WA.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Tonasket?? Really? That's just up the road from me! That little lamb is TOO cute....

So they must withstand our horrible winters, huh? Do the rams stink as bad as male goats?

 

[WrenAli]

Not in my experiance. No one complains when they come out to my barn anyway.

Nor are they as ornery as a whole. I have seen some pain in the butt rams but no where near as many as bucks.

I'm not sure about how they handle the sheep in the winter up there. I just give them hay, grain and cover down here.

There are several people in the Tonasket/Omak area. You can contact some breeders here:
KHSI Just go to the member listings and search Washington.

I've met some of the breeders up there on a vacation trip and they were all great.

 

[flyingmonkeypoop]

The neighbors about a mile from us have american black belly or barbados. Her name is Sandy and her number is (509)276-3139, she is nice and always has sheep for sale.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Quote:
Thank you!!!

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Quote:
Thanks!

 

[Big Sky Chick]

Hi, I know this post is old, but I'm hoping you're still an active member.

I have 2 Katahdin ewes that are about 6-7 months old and 2 American Black Belly rams and 1 ewe that are the same age. The ABBs have been wonder. The ProbLambs (Katahdains), as DH calls them, have been a bit more of a handful. They exhibit more goaty behavior - noisy, breaking through fences, climbing, eating more shrubry than grasss, or so it would seem.

I'm trying to determine what I am going to do with them. I got them to keep the yard "mowed" and go in the freezer. However, I am considering keeping a couple to breed. Since you have both, I was wondering what the age is for each breed when they come into a safe breeding age and if you'd crossed the breeds? If you have crossed them, what was the outcome?

In case it makes a difference, I have 5 ac of great grassy yard/pasture and 40 of typical high plains Montana prairie around that, and the 2k ac beyond. They stick to the yard and only venture into the other pasture within a few yards of the yard. I don't want to be a sheep rancher, but could see myself maintaining a small flock. I was considering keeping the more docile and behaved of the Katahdins, the ABB ewe and one of the rams. Both rams are a joy. One has an all black more wooly coat and is the definite guard and dominant. The other is traditionally coated and colored.

What is your advice?

Thanks!