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Scientific Articles and Books, Barbados Blackbelly Sheep

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Articles
Books
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* Each book listed below is linked to a page where you can buy it.
* To view an article, select and copy the desired article’s name, paste it into a search engine (such as Google), and run a search to find links where you can view it.

Disclaimer: Broken links to books on third-party websites may occur on this list, and they are addressed through regular page updates. Links referenced inside books and articles are the responsibility of their respective publishers.

Books

  • Prolific Tropical Sheep. Rastogi, R.K., Williams, H.E., Youssef, F.G. FAO Animal Production and Health Paper 17, 1980. Chapter 2.1 Barbados Blackbelly.
  • A Conservation Breeding Handbook. Sponenberg, D.P. and Christman, C.J. 1995. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, Pittsboro, North Carolina.
  • Hair Sheep of Western Africa and the Americas: A Genetic Resource for the Tropics. (H.A. Fitzhugh and G.E. Bradford, eds.), A Winrock International Study, Westview Press Inc. Boulder, Colorado 1983.
    • Chapters About Barbados Blackbelly Sheep:
      • A History of the Barbados Blackbelly Sheep. Combs, W.
        Barbados Blackbelly and crossbred sheep performance in an experimental flock in Barbados. Patterson, H.C.
        The Barbados Blackbelly (“Barbado”) breed in Texas.
      • Performance of Barbados Blackbelly sheep and their crosses at the Ebini Station, Guyana. Nurse, G.; Cumberbatch, N.; McKenzie, P.
      • Research with Barbados Blackbelly sheep in North Carolina. Goode, L.; Yazwinski, T.A.; Moncol, D.J.; Linnerud, A.C.; Morgan, G.W.; Tugman, D.F.
      • Barbados Blackbelly sheep in California. Levine, J.M. ; Spurlock, G.M.
      • Reproduction and birth weight of Barbados Blackbelly sheep in the Golden Grove flock, Barbados. Bradford, G.E.; Eitzhugh, H.A. ; Dowding, A.

Articles About Barbados Blackbelly Sheep and Hair Sheep

Body Composition and Carcass

  • Body composition of pure and crossbred Blackbelly sheep. Canton C, J.G. (INIFAP, Yucatan, Mexico); Velazquez M, A.; Castellanos R, A. 1992. Small Ruminant Research. v. 7(1) p. 61-66.
  • Growth and carcass traits of St. Croix White (SCW) and Barbados Blackbelly x SCW (BBSC) lambs in the tropics. Godfrey, R.W., Buroker, H.A., and Pannagl, B.M. J. Anim. Sci. 77(Suppl. 1): 239.
  • Physiological and carcass characteristics of hair and wool breeds of sheep. Horton, G.M.J. (Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ); Burgher, C.C. 1992. Small Ruminant Research. 7(1) p. 51-60.

Feed and Nutrition

  • Differences in Performance of Hair Sheep Lambs and Meat Goat Kids Offered High Forage Diets with a Corn-Based Supplement. Wildeus, S., Turner, K., Greiner, S., and Collins, J. Journal Of Animal Science, February 14, 2004.
  • Effect of three types and three levels of supplementation on intake, liveweight gain and feed conversion ratios of 4-month old Blackbelly lambs fed chopped pangola grass hay [Digitaria decumbens]. Quintyne, R.C. (Ministry of Agriculture, St. James (Barbados)); Osuji, P.O.; Lauckener, F.B. Regional Livestock Meeting, Wildey (Barbados), 27-28 Sep 1978.
  • Growth Performance of Barbados Blackbelly, Katahdin, and St. Croix Hair Sheep Lambs Fed Pasture Or Hay-Based Diets. Wildeus, S., Turner, K.E., Collins, J.R. 2005. Sheep and Goat Research Journal 20:37-41.
  • Leucaena leucocephala as a feed for livestock in Barbados. Quintyre, R.C.; Chase, D.O. ; Millington, R.C.A. (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries (Barbados). Animal Nutrition Unit). Caribbean Food Crops Society/Caribbean Agro-Economic Society Joint Meeting, (Antigua and Barbuda), 23-28 Aug 1987.
  • Protein requirements of the Barbados Blackbelly sheep. Osuji, P.O. (Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, St. Augustine (Trinidad and Tobago)); Lauckner, B. Regional Livestock Meeting, Wildey (Barbados), 27-28 Sep 1978.

Genetics

  • The Barbados Blackbelly, a unique [sheep] breed, with potential. O’Reilly, P. Feb 1980. Countryside Magazine.
  • Barbados Blackbelly: The Caribbean Ovine Genetic Resource. de Almeida, A. M. 2018. Tropical Animal Health and Production  50: 239–250. Link to Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29185138/
  • Genomic Analysis of Hair Sheep From West/Central Africa Reveals Unique Genetic Diversity and Ancestral Links to Breed Formation in the Caribbean. Wiener, Pamela et al. 02 June 2025 https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.17796.
  • Hair Sheep Blood, Citrated or Defibrinated, Fulfills All Requirements of Blood Agar for Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory Tests. Yeh, E.; Pinsky, B.; Banaei, N.; Baron, E., 2009.
  • Hair Sheep Genetic Resources and Their Contribution to Diversified Small Ruminant Production in the United States. Wildeus, S. J. Anim. Sci. 1997. 75:630-640.
  • Hair Sheep Genetic Resource of the Americas. Thomas, D.L., Proceedings Hair Sheep Research Symposium (ed. Stephan Wildeus). 1991. University of the Virgin Islands.
  • Whole genome structural analysis of Caribbean hair sheep reveals quantitative link to West African ancestry. Spangler, Gordon, et al. 2017, updated 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5490989/.

Historical Records of Barbados Blackbelly Sheep on the Internet Archive

Parasite Resistance

  • Reducing fecal egg count through selective breeding alters dorper lamb response to Haemonchus contortus in an artificial challenge trial. Thorne JW, Redden R, Bowdridge SA, Becker GM, Khilji SF, Xie S, Bentley KL, Murdoch BM.  Vet Parasitol. 2024 Jun;328:110177. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110177. Epub 2024 Apr 3.
  • Comparison of the resistance to sympatric and allopatric isolates of Haemonchus contortus of Black Belly sheep in Guadeloupe (FWI) and of INRA 401 sheep in France. Aumont, G.; Gruner, L.; Hostache, G. Veterinary Parasitology 116 (2): 139-150 2003.
  • Control of gastro-intestinal nematose problems in hair sheep in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Batubara, A. (Instalasi Penelitian dan Pengkajian Teknologi Pertanian Sungai Putih, Galang (Indonesia)); Romjali, E.; Mirza, I.; Dorny, P.; Pandey, V.S.; Wilson, A.J. Workshop on Small Ruminant Production: Recommendations for Southeast Asia, Parapat (Indonesia), May 12-15, 1996.
  • Experimental infection of Black Belly and INRA 401 straight and crossbred sheep with trichostrongyle nematode parasites. Gruner, L.; Aumont, G.; Getachew, T.; Brunel, J. C.; Pery, C.; Cognie, Y.; Guerin, Y. Veterinary Parasitology 116 (3): 239-249 2003.
  • Gastrointestinal Parasitism in Hair Sheep and Meat Goat Breeds Grazing Naturally Infected Pasture. Wildeus, S. and A.M. Zajac. Sheep & Goat Research Journal, Volume 20, 2005.
  • Genetic resistance of different genotypes of sheep to natural infections with gastro-intestinal nematodes. Romjali, E.; Pandey, V.S.; Gatenby, R.M.; Doloksaribu, M. ; Sakul, H.; Wilson, A.; Verhulst, A. (Research Institute for Animal Production, Sungai Putih PO Box 1, Galang, Deli Serdang 20585, North Sumatra (Indonesia)). 1997. Animal Science. v. 64(1) p. 97-104.
  • Haemonchus contortus infections in Targhee cross and Blackbelly Barbados cross lambs. Mansfield, M.E.; Todd, K.S.; Levine, N.D. Illinois. University. Cooperative Extension Service; U.S. Forest Service; Illinois. University. College of Agriculture. 1977. DSAC. Dixon Springs Agricultural Center. v. 5 p. 272-277.
  • Haemonchus contortus resistance in straightbred and crossbred Barbados Blackbelly sheep. Yazwinski, T.A.; Goode, L.; Moncol, D.J.; Morgan, G.W.; Linnerud, A.C. 1980. Journal of Animal Science. v. 51(2) p. 279-284.
  • Genetic resistance of different genotypes of sheep to natural infections with gastro-intestinal nematodes. Romjali, E.; Pandey, V.S.; Gatenby, R.M.; Doloksaribu, M. ; Sakul, H.; Wilson, A.; Verhulst, A. (Research Institute for Animal Production, Sungai Putih PO Box 1, Galang, Deli Serdang 20585, North Sumatra (Indonesia)). 1998. Sheep Dairy News. v. 15(2) p. 42-46.
  • Parasite resistance in straightbred and crossbred Barbados Blackbelly sheep. Yazwinski, T. A., L. Goode, D. J. Moncol, G. W. Morgan, and L. C. Linnerud, 1979. J. Anim. Sci. 49:919-926.

Productivity and Reproduction

  • On-Farm Validation of a Liquid Semen Vaginal Artificial Insemination Protocol in Hair Sheep. O’Brien, Dahlia J., Wildeus, Stephan, Virginia State University, 2019.
  • Comparative ewe performance of Virgin Islands White (St. Croix) and Barbados Blackbelly hair sheep phenotypes under semi-arid tropical conditions. Wildeus, S., Collins, J.R. and Gray, M.L. (1992) Journal of Animal Science, Suppl. 1, 70:279.
  • Estrus synchronization and artificial insemination of hair sheep ewes in the tropics. Godfrey, R.W.; Collins, J.R.; Hensley, E.L.; Wheaton, J.E. 1999. Theriogenology. Apr 1, 1999. v. 51 (5) p. 985-997.
  • Evaluation of sexual behavior of hair sheep rams in a tropical environment. Godfrey, R.W. (University of the Virgin Islands, Kingshill, St. Croix.); Collins, J.R.; Gray, M.L. Mar 1998. Journal of Animal Science. v. 76(3) p. 714-717.
  • Immune response to Haemonchus contortus infection in susceptible (INRA 401) and resistant (Barbados Black Belly) breeds of lambs. Terefe, G, LaCroux, C., et al. Parasite Immunology Volume 29, Issue 8, pages 415–424, August 2007.
  • Observations on the reproductive performance of three purebreds and one crossbred group of ewes on the Blenheim Sheep Station in Tobago, West Indies. Harricharan, H. (Caribbean Agricultural Res. and Dev. Inst., St. Augustine (Trinidad and Tobago)); Keens-Dumas, M.J. ; Mannasmith, C.; Ramlal, H. 1987. Journal of the Agricultural Society of Trinidad and Tobago. v. 87 p. 30-34.
  • Out-of-Season Breeding, Prolificacy, Lambing Intervals and Weight Gains at 60, 90, 120 Days of Age of Barbados Blackbelly Sheep.Swartz, H.A and Hunte, M. (1991) Proceedings Hair Sheep Research Symposium, Stephan Wildeus, ed.
  • Performance of Barbados blackbelly lambs reared in confinement and implications for commercial lamb production in Barbados. Hunte, M.D. (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Bridgetown (Barbados)). 23. West Indies Sugar Technologists Conference, Bridgetown (Barbados), 18-22 Apr 1988.
  • Production and economic parameters of operating a lamb feedlot in Barbados – a pilot project. Thomas, G.; Proverbs, G.; Haynes, T. (Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Inst., St. Michael (Barbados)). 1996. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting [of the Caribbean Food Crops Society]. p. 252-259.
  • The production parameters of the Barbados Blackbelly and crossbred sheep in a controlled semi-intensive system. Solomon J, Cumberbatch N, Austin R, Gonsalves J and Seaforth E 2006: Livestock Research for Rural Development. Volume 18, Article #55.
  • Production performance of “domba Sungai Putih” in North Sumatra. Doloksaribu, M. (Instalasi Penelitian dan Pengkajian Teknologi Sungai Putih, Galang (Indonesia)); Romjali, E.; Elieser, S.; Subandriyo; Gatenby, R.M. Workshop on Small Ruminant Production: Recommendations for Southeast Asia, Parapat (Indonesia), May 12-15, 1996.
  • Productivity of Bahama native, Florida native and Barbados Blackbelly sheep under improved grazing management in the Bahamas [forage]. Katsigianis, T.S.; Wilson, L.L.; Cathopulus, T.E.; Dorsett, A.A.; Fisher, D.D. 1981. Turrialba. v. 31(2) p. 113-119.
  • Reproductive Cycling Activities of Barbados Blackbelly, St. Croix, Katahdin and Wool Breeds During Winter, Spring and Summer. Pond, K.R., Goodwin, T.G., Morbeck, D.E., Cooper, J.V., Roberts, M., and Britt, J.H. Proceedings Hair Sheep Research Symposium (ed. Stephan Wildeus). 1991. University of the Virgin Islands.
  • Reproductive performances of Creole and Black-Belly ewes in the West Indies; A new major gene controlling ovulation rate? Mahieu, M. (INRA Physiologie Reproduction, Nouzilly (France)); Jego, Y.; Driancourt, M.A.; Chemineau, P. 1988. Animal Reproduction Science. v. 19(3) p. 235-243.
  • Seasonal variations of oestrous behaviour and ovulation rate in Creole and Black-Belly ewes in the West Indies. Mahieu, M. (SECI Val d’Or, Sainte-Anne (France)); Jego, Y.; Matheron, G.; Legal, O.; Driancourt, M.A.; Chemineau, P. Congres Mondial de Reproduction et Selection des Ovins et Bovins a Viande, Paris (France), 19-23 Jun 1988.
  • Sheep production: a system based on tethered animals on marginal lands. Proverbs, G.A. Research on Crop-Animal Systems, Case studies for a workshop. Turrialba (Costa Rica), 4-7 Apr 1982.

Research in Other Countries

  • Barbados Blackbelly sheep in the Caribbean. In: Colored Sheep and Wool: Exploring their Beauty and Function. Wildeus, S.(Agricultural Experiment Station, University of the Virgin Islands, Kingshill. St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands). 1989. K. Erskine (ed.), pp. 37-42, Black Sheep Press, Ashland, OR.
  • Exploitation of hair sheep resources in Nippon (Japan). Kashiwabahara, T.; Kikkawai, A. (Ibaraki Univ. (Japan)) Takahashi, M.; Sawasaki, T.; Kunimasa, J. Asian Agriculture Congress, Manila (Philippines), 24-27 Apr 2001.
  • Performance of Barbados Blackbelly and Virgin Islands White sheep on St. Croix. Wildeus, S. (1988) Second Annual Sheep Field Day, UVI-AES, pp. 21-24.

Other Research

  • Characteristics and General Production Parameters of Hair Sheep Breeds. Bactawar, Basil. British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Fisheries.
  • Fatty Acid Composition and Palatability of Lamb from Hair Sheep. Duckett, Susan K. and Greiner, Scott P.
  • Genetic and nutritional effects on lamb flavor. Duckett, S. K., and P.S. Kubert, 2001. J. Anim. Sci. 79:E249-E259.