Pelibüey

Pelibuey is a Caribbean hair sheep breed, also seen as Pelibüey and closely associated with Cuba, Mexico, and the wider humid tropics. It descends largely from West African hair sheep brought to the Americas and was shaped as a meat animal rather than a wool producer. The coat is short and sheds naturally, so animals may be red, tan, white, black, brown, or patterned without the heavy fleece of temperate breeds. Pelibuey sheep are medium sized, usually clean faced, and valued for heat tolerance, parasite resistance, and the ability of ewes to cycle outside a narrow breeding season.

Flocks are common on small farms and commercial lamb operations where high temperatures, wet seasons, and forage-based systems limit wool breeds. They need secure fencing, mineral balance for the local soil, and parasite monitoring, but they spare keepers the shearing and wool handling costs of fleece sheep. Rams are often used in crossbreeding to add tropical adaptation and maternal efficiency. Buyers generally compare body condition, udder or testicle quality, feet, and lambing history rather than color alone.

Colors: Badgerface, Black, Blackbelly, Broken, Brown, Gray, Grey, Gulmoget, Katmoget, Moorit, Piebald, Red, Roan, Silver, Solid, Spotted, Tan, White, White with Black Points, White with Brown Points