The Pelibuey sheep is a breed of domestic sheep native to Mexico, Caribbean and South America.
It is also known by some other names such as Peligüey, Tabasco (Mexico), Cubano Rojo, Cuban Hairy and Carnero de pelo de buey. It is thought to have originated from Africa, specifically from the West African Dwarf sheep.
These animals make up three quarters of the total sheep population of Mexico, Cuba and other areas of the Caribbean and South America.
They are probably closely related to the West African, African, Red African or Africana breed of Columbia and Venezuela. However, read some more information about Pelibuey sheep breed below.
Pelibuey Sheep Characteristics
Pelibuey sheep is relatively a smaller sized breed with hair color ranges from brown, black, beige, dark brown, white, red and roan with both solid and a combination of colors found.
The rams usually don’t have horns, but they do carry a throat ruff. And the ewes are usually polled. It is a hair sheep breed, which means these animals generally do not grow wool.
This adaptation has made them especially useful for tropical environments where heavily wooled sheep do not thrive.
As a smaller sized animal, average live body weight of the mature Pelibuey sheep vary from 34 to 54 kg. Photo and info from ansi.okstate.edu and Wikipedia.
Uses
The Pelibuey sheep is a meat sheep breed. It is raised primarily for meat production.
Special Notes
Pelibuey sheep are hardy animals. They rely on staying together as a flock for protecting themselves from predators.
They are usually highly sensitive to predators, and they sense the presence of threat from several hundred feet away. These animals are able twist and turn their ears to detect potential danger, and instinctively flee instead of fight or attack.
They run in a winding pattern while fleeing, which help them to see what is behind them. Litter size is relatively low at 1.24. The ewes first lambing can be at 16 to 19 months of age. Lambing interval is less than 210 days.
The lambs average at 12 kg at 120 days of age. Today, the breed is raised mainly for meat production. Review full breed profile of the Pelibuey sheep in the following chart.
| Breed Name | Pelibuey |
| Other Name | Also known by some other names such as Peligüey, Tabasco (Mexico), Cubano Rojo, Cuban Hairy and Carnero de pelo de buey |
| Breed Purpose | Meat |
| Special Notes | Very hardy and strong animals, they rely on staying together as a flock for protecting themselves from predators, highly sensitive to predators, they can sense the presence of threat from several hundred feet away, run in a winding pattern while fleeing, good for meat production |
| Breed Size | Small |
| Weight | Vary from 34 to 54 kg |
| Horns | No |
| Climate Tolerance | Native climates |
| Color | Ranges from black, brown, beige, dark brown, white, red and roan with both solid and a combination of colors found |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | Mexico, Caribbean, South America |
