Since we are visiting the island of Barbados today, I thought we should prepare
                               by getting in a festive mood with a little music.  Have fun and enjoy!!!
                                                                       


                   
                 For those of you that may not have been following the dialogue on our guestbook,
              an introduction is in order.  I was contacted by Mr. Wesley Bradshaw of St. Philip
              parish in Barbados telling me that he thought our website was interesting.  He sent
              pictures of some of his sheep which I am going to display on this page, and we have
              continued to correspond ever since.  First, let me show you Wesley's pictures.
                                   


                    

                      This is a ram that belongs to Wesley.  He will be butchered, as Wesley does not keep
             rams for breeding that have white tips on their tails.  In Barbados, they are allowed
             1 1/2" of white on the tail tip. I'm told, If white shows up somewhere else on the
             body, it is not pure Blackbelly.  Wesley was also less than impressed with our cream
             colored tails.  We know they are not the same as a white tail tip that is very
             distinctive at birth, but to Wesley they are still white tails.  The good news is that
             he used to have tails like that and he was able to easily breed them out.


                       
                      Wesley doesn't keep rams past three years of age.  He butchers rams by the
                      time they are two or the latest three because the meat turns tough after
                      that age.  I found it interesting that they butcher rams.  We usually band
                      the animal first, then later butcher it as a wether because we think the
                      meat is milder when done that way. 
             

                      
          Here are some of Wesley's ewes tied out for grazing.  Wish we had some of that grass.
          It is so interesting to me that they tolerate being tied.  I don't know that many of our
          sheep would be so obliging.  I suppose with training....    That pretty little girl on the
          left looks just like she could belong to Mary Swindell. 
 


                                                         
                                   Look at the beautiful amount of forechest on this ewe.  Nice rear angulation also.



                                                                                                                                                                            

   When I asked how often scurs are seen in Barbados and how
      large they are, Wesley told me they don't have scurs.



                                                                                             

                                                                              Again, take note of this ram's length of tail,
                                                                                  all the way passed the hock.




 
                                                This is Wesley's other ram entry that will be shown in February.
                                                                 His name is Show Me The Money.



                                           
                                                                                  Nice ewe. 

 

                                                      
                                When asked what they do about predators while the sheep are tied out,
                       Wesley explained that they don't have predators.  They do put the sheep
                       up at night though.
                             


                                   

                          This ewe is eating a mixture of soya hulls, pollard (which is rice hulls) and a local
                feed.  Wesley then adds minerals and some molasses water so the mixture won't
                be dry.

                                                           
           
                          
            

                                  
                                                                                  Aren't these nice looking lambs?



                                           And then there is "Big Ann", the eight pounder recently born.
                                                            (Breeder/Owner:  Wesley Bradshaw - Saint Philip parish in Barbados)


                                 





                                       Below are some cute shots of Big Ann with her mother, Saint Andrew.

                                                        Blackbelly mothers are very attentive.  

   


                                                

    And it's loads of fun to watch them interact with their lambs.  The very first thing our ewes do is teach  
   their lambs to come to them when they call.  As soon as the lamb is born and trying to stand and nurse,
   the ewes will call them and then back away.  When the lamb is almost to them, they will call and back up
   again.   They continue doing this until the lamb knows the command and responds immediately.


                                                                        **********************


           Wesley, thank you so much for sending these photos.  I know U.S. breeders and others who
             are fans of the Barbados Blackbelly appreciate your time and effort to share them with us.
                                                    I hope you enjoy the presentation as well.
                                 __________________________________________________
                                  
          


               Barbados is preparing for their 2012 Annual Agriculture Show which includes livestock
               exhibits and all varieties of fruits and vegetables.  Wesley Bradshaw is getting his two
               ram entrants ready for the judging.  Show Me The Money is one ram that he plans to
               show.   Here are three more pictures of Show Me The Money.

      















                 This is a very nice looking ram.


      Now, here are four pictures of the other ram Wesley is entering at the show.  His son calls this one
      "The Bus".  You will understand why when you look at the pictures.


        
        
                       



                                                 Big Ann is doing nicely.  Growing like a weed.
                                                                  Look at the legs on that girl!

                              
                                                                    BIG ANN  with Momma.  

                                                   _____________________________________

                                 

                                         And now, a new set of twin ewe lambs.  Aren't they beautiful?         

 
                
                       

                             
  Lone Star Farm | Barbados Blackbelly Sheep