Momma and Baby Boy are American Blackbelly sheep. When they came to Morning Bray Farm one year ago, Baby Boy was just a week old. Their extremely docile nature makes them such a calming influence on our farm.
This is Baby Boy at one week. He was so cute you could’ve sopped him up with a biscuit.
This is Baby Boy today. Isn’t he handsome? We can’t wait to watch his horns grow.
Momma is the best mom we’ve ever seen.
Morning Bray Farm 
February 25, 2010 at 4:19 am
What beautiful animals … I have never seen anything like that before.
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February 25, 2010 at 6:13 am
They are so beautiful……
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February 25, 2010 at 7:06 am
Do only the males grow horns? Yes, they are very pretty animals – thanks for introducing us around the farm!
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February 25, 2010 at 8:40 am
Lynette,
You’re welcome! The ewes may or may not have horns… Momma does have the ever so slightest little buds.
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February 25, 2010 at 7:26 am
They are beautiful! Because I’m clueless about any sort of goat beyond Boer goats—-what are Blackbellies used for? Wool, meat, milk, all three??
One more question. Is Baby Boy fixed (wethered)?
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February 25, 2010 at 8:35 am
CeeCee,
They’re mainly used for meat, but not in this case. 🙂 Blackbellies don’t have to be sheared (they’re hair sheep rather than wool sheep). Yup, Baby Boy is wethered.
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February 25, 2010 at 9:46 am
How did I miss the word “sheep”?
There must be some magic ways to tell sheep from goats.
I know sea lions from seals, but I don’t know sheep from goats. 🙂
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February 25, 2010 at 10:19 am
CeeCee,
Don’t worry. Believe me, when we first saw the blackbellies, we thought they were goats too. 🙂
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February 25, 2010 at 9:50 am
They are beautiful!! I’ve never seen this breed of sheep before. What stunning coloring! Are they friendly? I’ve heard that sheep tend to be rather skittish and non-people centered, but that may not apply to all breeds?
Love Baby Boy’s horns!
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February 25, 2010 at 10:24 am
Farmgirl,
It applies to Momma and Baby Boy too. When they first arrived a year ago, they were very feral and super skittish. They’re still quite skittish but have really come around. They rotate in and out of the pasture with the goats and have now gotten to the point where they’ll walk beside us. They still don’t want us touching them though… you should see how high they can jump. It’s amazing!
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February 25, 2010 at 10:41 am
I’ve never seen sheep like that. They’re beautiful and look so sweet. I love your blog and am enjoying a peek at life at your farm. Thank you for sharing!
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February 25, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Thank you Suzanne!
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February 25, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Hey CeeCee – I heard something about a year ago that seems a very simple way to identify goats from sheep… Tails up: goats – tails down: sheep. Of course, you have to be able to see them from behind to have this work, but at least it’s something. 🙂
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February 25, 2010 at 2:28 pm
They are gorgeous animals. Too bad they are not friendly, they look so soft and would you just love running your hands through the fleece(?). Do you shear them, pluck them?? Is the hair useable to make yarn? We need a breed lesson here!!
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February 25, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Phaedra,
We would love to run our hands through their hair! 🙂 They’re hair sheep rather than wool sheep so they don’t have to be sheared. I can just imagine having a Baby Boy sweater… I’m positive it would keep me warm.
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February 25, 2010 at 6:42 pm
They are so cute. And yes, if I only had a bisquit… 🙂
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February 26, 2010 at 5:55 pm
What a treat to see Bernard doing so well! Glad he is with you and your family!
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