Small ruminants

1. SMALL RUMINANT AND RABBIT
PRODUCTION
DAP 2204
3CU
By Gertrude Alupo
Chevoit sheep

2. ORIGIN OF SHEEP (Ovis aries)
 Sheep originated from the Mouflon.
 The mouflon (Ovis gmelini) is a wild sheep native to
Cyprus, the Caspain region from Eastern Turkey, Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Iran
Mouflon have reddish to dark brown, short haired coats with dark
back stripes and black ventral areas and light-colored saddle
patches

3. THE MOUFLON (Ovis gmelini )
Male mouflons are
horned.
Some females are
horned while others
are polled.
The horns of mature
rams are curved
almost one fill
revolution (up to
85cm).
Mouflon have shoulder heights of around 0.9m and body weights of 50kg for
males and 35kg for females.

4.  Archaeological evidence suggests that sheep were among the first
animals to be domesticated approximately more than 10,000(11000-
8000BC) years ago in present Iran, some Arabic countries and Turkey
 Selection for wool type, flocking instinct and other economically important
traits over the centuries has resulted in more than 200 distinct breeds of
sheep occurring worldwide..

5. SHEEP BREEDS FOR MEAT
1) Suffolk
2) Chevoit
3) Charollais
4) Canadian Arcott
5) Icelandic sheep
6) Tunis Barbari
7) Black belly (American
and Barbados)
8) Ile-de-France
9) Welsh Mountain sheep
10) Shropshire
11) Texel
12) Dorset horn
13) Hampshire down
14) Rambouillet
15) Dorper
16) Romney

6. 1. SUFFOLK
 Suffolk sheep breed originates in the United Kingdom.
 It is a product of crossing Norfolk and Southdown sheep.
 Suffolk are distributed world wide.
 They are bred mainly for meat and used as terminal sires for
crossbreeding programs.
 Mature males weigh 125kg, females weigh 88kg.
 Height at withers is 80cm for males and 74 cm for females.
Suffolk is a large polled breed with bell shaped ears, un pigmented skin, white
wool and a black face and legs free of wool.

7. OVINE HEREDITARY CHONDRODYSPLASIA
 Ovine hereditary chondrodysplasia (Spider lamb syndrome)is a semi-lethal
homozygous recessive disorder affecting the growth of cartilage and bone in sheep.
 It is caused by a mutation to the gene for fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 ( FGFR3),
on ovine chromosome 6.
 Clinical signs include; skeletal abnormalities, twisted or humped spines, facial defects,
bent legs, abnormally long legs, flat ribs and under developed muscles that make it
difficult for the lamb to stand and nurse.

8. 2. CHEVIOT SHEEP
 This breed originated in the Chevoit hills, at the border of
England and Scotland.
 Hardy animals with sturdy muscular frames.
 White face with wool free head and legs.
 Pricked ears.
 Black muzzle and feet.
 Alert, active.
 Hornless.
 Distinctive roman noses

9. 2. CHEVIOT SHEEP
 Raised for meat. (Produce well muscled carcasses and
grow at a moderate pace)
 Also produce wool
 Can live in a wide range of climates and in areas where
there is scarce feed
 They have easy lambing, well developed motherly
instincts and fast maturity
 Less prone to foot rot
(hard back feet)
 Resistant to worms

10. 2. CHEVIOT SHEEP
 Mature body weight of rams 72 to 90kg (160 – 200
pounds).
 Mature body weight for ewes; 55 to 72 kg (120 to 160
pounds).
 Mature ewes can produce 2.25-4.5kg of fleece.
 Average fiber diameter µ 27-33.
 Wool staple length 3-5”.

11. 2. NORTH COUNTRY CHEVIOT SHEEP
 Originated in North Scotland.
 Produces hardy lambs.
 Mature body weight of rams; 200 to 300 pounds; ewe 130-180
pounds.
 Average Fiber Diameter
micron 27-33 USDA Wool
Grade 46’s-56’s.
 Grease fleece weight 5-10lb.
 Wool Staple Length 4-6”.

12. 3. BLUE TEXEL SHEEP
 Blue Texels were first recognised as a distinct
breed in early 1970s in the Netherlands.
 Blue Texels are also present in the UK.
 Blue Texels are similar to their white ancestors,
however, they express a beautiful “blue” (Abl)
coloration pattern which is
a product of a recessive
gene that may be associated
with high fertility.

13. 3. BLUE TEXEL SHEEP
 The breed pattern can vary from very pale animals to quite
dark but no part of the fleece is wholly black or white. The
black head, ears and legs have symmetrical white markings.
The flank wool is lighter than the shoulders and belly,
sometimes a pale silvery blue.
 Blue is the genetists name for the colour pattern and also
describes the colour of the flank wool.

14. 3. BLUE TEXEL SHEEP
 Blue Texels are competitive as commercial terminal
sires for producing prime crossbred lambs for the
trade.
 Quality carcasses with a high killing out percentage
achieving premium grades.
 They have high growth rate.

15. 3. BLUE TEXEL SHEEP
 Ewes have good mothering ability.
 Easy lambing due to slightly narrow heads.
 Lambs can stand and nurse immediately after
delivery.
 Suitable for low input and organic systems.

16. 4. DORSET SHEEP
 Dorset breed is a cross between Wale’s horned sheep
and Spanish Merino sheep.
 Dorset breeds are found in Wales, Dorset, Devon and
Somerset.
 Dorset ewes are prolific, they can lamb all year round.
 Lambs grow and mature at a moderate rate.

17. 4. DORSET SHEEP
 Mature body weight ram: 225 -275 pounds; Ewe, 150-
200 pounds.
 Average fiber diameter Micron 26-32 USDA Wool grade
48’s-58’s.
 Grease Fleece weight 5-8 pounds.
 Wool Staple Length 3-4.5 inches.

18. 5. HAMPSHIRE SHEEP
 Originate in the County of Hampshire, South
England
 Mainly raised for meat production
 Large breed, fast growing
 Heavy boned with a lean carcass
 Black legs and faces

19. 5. HAMPSHIRE SHEEP
 Mature body eight. Ram: 250-350 pounds; ewe
175-250 pounds
 Average fiber diameter Micron 25-33 USDA Wool
Grade 46’s-58’s
 Grease fleece weight 6-10 pounds
 Wool staple length 2.5-4 inches

20. 6. MONTADALE SHEEP
 Montadale sheep breed originates in the United
states.
 It is a cross between the large Columbia and
compact Cheviot breeds.
 Strong maternal; instinct produce plenty of milk to
raise multiple lambs.
 Lambs grow rapidly.

21. 6. MONTADALE SHEEP
 Lean well muscled carcass.
 Average body.
 Have bare legs and heads with white wool and black
nostrils and hooves.
 Some times treated as a dual purpose breed because
their wool is more
valuable than on other
meat breeds.
 Farmers use their wool
at commercial mills.

22. 6. MONTADALE SHEEP
 Mature body weight Ram 200-275 pounds.
 Ewe 160-180 pounds.
 Average fiber diameter Micron 25-30 USDA Wool
Grade 50’s-58’s.
 Grease fleece weight 7-11 pounds.
 Wool staple length 3-5 inches.

23. BREED STANDARDS FOR MONTADALE SHEEP
 Small head to reduce or eliminate lambing trouble.
 Open face to prevent wool blindness.
 Clean legs to prevent foreign objects from damaging fleece
and carcass.
 Heavy fleece.
 Prolific.
 Good mothers.
 Strong, healthy and
vigorous.

24. 7. OXFORD SHEEP
 Oxford sheep breed was developed in Oxford County in
England.
 Oxford sheep are a mix between Hampshires and
Cotwolds.
 Oxford sheep have a fast rate of growth.
 They have strong maternal
instinct.
 They produce moderate quality
fleece.

25. 7. OXFORD SHEEP
 Average to large in size.
 Faces are dark brown.
 They have woolly legs and a full top knot.
 Mature body weight Ram 225-325 pounds.
 Ewe 150-200 pounds.
 Average fiber diameter µ28-34
USDA Wool Grade 46’s-54’s.
 Grease Fleece Weight 7-10 lb.
 Wool staple length 3-5”.

26. 8. SHROPSHIRE SHEEP
 Origin: England.
 This breed was developed by crossbreeding Leicester,
Southdown, Cotswold and native sheep.
 Tri purpose breed (meat, wool and tree friendly).
 Has proven ability to finish successfully from grass alone.
 Distinguishable from other sheep breeds by their dark faces
and woolly legs.
 Resemble Hampshire
but are typically smaller and
finer boned.

27. 8. SHROPSHIRE SHEEP
 Average to large in size, rams are robust.
 Ewes are excellent mothers with long productive lives.
 Dams are docile with a strong maternal instinct valuable
for ample milk production.
 They are prolific and can achieve lambing percentages
of 160%
and
above.

28. 8. SHROPSHIRE SHEEP
 Lambs are vigorous, grow at a rapid pace and produce
lean high quality carcass.
 Mature body weight Ram 225-290 lb; ewe 170-200 lb
 Average fiber diameter µ 25-33 USDA Wool Grade 46’s-
58’s.
 Grease fleece weight 6-10 pounds.
 Wool staple
length 3-4 inches.

29. 9. SOUTH DOWN SHEEP
 One of the most popular and oldest breeds of sheep
 Originally developed in England.
 Small to average in size
 Have wooly legs with faces with light pints that are white
to light brown colour
 Submissive breed ideal for children because they are
docile, have a small stature
and are easy to manage

30. 9. SOUTH DOWN SHEEP
 Fast maturity.
 Adaptable to a wide variety of climates.
 Valuable carcass (light in weight and muscular).
 Excellent mothers, good at caring fir their young.
 Primary goal for production is meat but it produces
medium wool fleece.

31. 9. SOUTH DOWN SHEEP
 Mature body weight ram; 180-230 pounds.
 Ewe 120-180 pounds.
 Average fiber diameter Micron 24-29 USDA Wool
Grade 54’s-60’s.
 Grease Fleece weight 5-8 pounds.
 Wool staple length 2-3 inches.

32. WOOL BREEDS
1) Arkhar-Merino-Kazakhstan;
2) Arapawa-Newzealand,
3) Askanian-Ukraine; United States;
4) California Variegated Mutant-
United States;
5) Columbia-United states;
6) Cormo-Australia, Newzealand;
7) Danish Landrace-Denmark;
8) Debouillet-United States;
9) Drysdale-Newzealand;
10) Duben sheep-Bulgaria;
11) Elinpelin sheep-Bulgaria;
12) Gaddi-India;
13) Gansu Alpine Fine-wool- China;
14) Gentile di Puglia-Italy;
15) Grey Troender-Norway;
16) Hog Island-United States;
17) Kihnu Native-Estonia;
18) Kasmir Merino - Kashmir;
19) Lincoln - England;
20) Lohi-Pakistan;
21) Manx Loaghtan-Isle of Man;
22) Booroola Merino- Australia (Wool
research);
23) Delaine Merino-United States;
24) Nali- India; Navajo-Churro sheep –
United states;
25) North Ronaldsay- Scotland;
26) Orkon- Mongolia;
27) Pitt Island – Wool;
28) Ruda- Albania. Croatia;
29) Rya – Sweden;
30) Sakiz-Turkey; Santa Cruz – Santa cruz
Island, United States;
31) Targhee-United states

33. 10. MERINO
 Origin: Spain
 Well adapted to semi arid climates and nomadic
pasturing
 White face and legs
 Different varieties; Boorola Merino, Delaine Merino,
Merinolandschaf, Poll Merino, South African Mutton
Merino, Strong wool merino, South African Merino,
Medium wool Merino, German Mutton Merino, Fonthill
Merino.

34. 10. MERINO
 Excellent quality of wool (soft and fine)
 Staple length 2.6-3.9”
 Dense fleece 25lbs of wool males; 20lbs females
 Long productive life up to 12 years of wool production
 Friendly and docile

35.  Need for regular shearing at least twice a year
 Small carcass size (180lbs male; 120lbs ewes), un
pleasant flavour for meat
 Require mulescing to reduce fly strike
MERINO

36. MEAT AND WOOL
1) Border Leicester- United Kingdom;
2) Corriedale-Newzealand;
3) Cheviot-Scotland
4) Devon Long wooled- United Kingdom;
5) South African Merino-South Africa;
6) South African Meat Merino-South Africa;
7) Montadale-United States;
8) Rambouillet- France;
9) Romney- United Kingdom;
10) Shetland – Shetland Islands;

37. MILK BREEDS
1) Awassi-South Eastern Anatolia,
2) Syro-Arabian desert;
3) British Milk sheep-United Kingdom;
4) Chios – Island of Chios;
5) Comisana-Italy;
6) East Friesian-Germany;
7) Kooka-Pakistan;
8) Lacaune- France;
9) Latxa-Milk;
10) Massesse sheep-Italy;
11) Pinzirita- Sicily;

38. 11. AWASSI
 Originates from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Israel, Syria,
Lebanon, Egypt and Palestine.
 Disrteibution South-West Asia, Syro-Arabian desert.
 Raised primarily for milk but can be used for milk and
wool
 White wool colour, brown face

39. 11. AWASSI
 Weight of rams 60 to 90kg
 Weight of ewes 30 to 50kg
 Height at withers ram: 68-80cm; 65-70 cm in ewes
 Milk yield 40-60 and 70-80 kg of milk per 150 day
lactation period
 Improved breeds 506kg over 214 day lactation period

40. DUAL PURPOSE (MEAT, MILK, WOOL)
1) Tigaie-Romania;
2) Tsurcana-Romania;
3) Valachina sheep-Czech Republic,
4) Valachian improved sheep-Czech Republic;
5) Clunforest-England;
6) Icelandic sheep-Iceland;
7) Kajli- pakistan; Karayaka-Turkey;
8) Najdi-Saudi Arabia;
9) Northern European short-tailed sheep;
10) Pramenka – Croatia,
11) Bosnia and Herzgovin;
12) Racka – Hungary;
13) Rahmany sheep – Egypt;

41. DUAL PURPOSE (MEAT, MILK)
 Armenian Semi coarse wool – Armenia;
 Assaf-Israel;
 Campanian Barbary – Italy;
 Churra-Spain;
 Daglic-Turkey;
 Fabrianese-Italy;
 Galician-Spain;
 Istrian milk-Croatia, Slovenia;
 Manchega-Spain;
 Pag Island-Croatia; ……………….
 Zwartbles-Netherlands.

42. DUAL PURPOSE
 Meat, milk, wool, hide: Karakul - Central Asia
 Meat, wool, hide: Spectacled Alpine sheep
(Karntner Brillenschaf)-Austria
 Wool and milk: Cigaja-Croatia; Leccese-Italy
 Meat, wool, vegetation management:
Aplines Steinschaf-Germany;
Heidscnucke-Germany;
Graue gehornte Heidschnucke(Grey hornedheath)
Germany;
Moorschnucke (White polled heath)-Germany;
Weibe gehornte Heidscnuckle (White horned
heath)-Germany

43. DUAL PURPOSE
 Meat and vegetation management:
 Brown Mountain sheep – Germany;
 Pomeranian Coarse wool sheep – Germany
 Meat, pelts : Afrikaner – South Africa; Namaqua
Afrikaner – South Africa
 Meat, tail fat: Edilbay-Kazakhstan
 Meat, wool, milk, landscape management:
Finnsheep-Finland
 Meat, wool, hide, pet Jacob-united kingdom
 Meat, ram fighting – Priangan-Indonesia

44. OTHERS
1) Vegetation management: Bundner Oberland-
Switzerland; Coburger Fuchsschaf- Germany;
Drenth Heath Sheep-Netherlands; Hebridean-
Scotland;
2) Genetic conservation, herd management:
Forystufe-Iceland
3) Genetic conservation: Gute-Sweden
4) Hobby: Castlemilk Moorit-Scotland; Olde English
‘Babydoll” Southdown- United States;
5) Wool, hobby: Ouessant - France
6) Trophy hunting: American Blackberry - United
States.

45. 12. OUESSANT / BRETON DWARF
 Origin: Island of
Ouessant off the coast
of Brittany.
 Its one of the smallest
breeds of sheep in the
world
 Height at withers for
rams 49cm; 45cm
ewes
 Raised in Germany,
France, Great Britain

46. 12. OUESSANT / BRETON DWARF
 Black or dark brown in colour
 Rams have relatively large horns; ewes are
polled
 Primarily used for wool production

47. COMMON BREEDS OF SHEEP IN
AFRICA
1) Masai breed
2) Black head Persian
3) East African long
tailed
4) Corriadale
5) Romney
6) Merino
7) Dorper
8) Desert Sudanese (Desert
Sudanese)
9) Fulani
10) Maure (Moore)
11) West African Dwarf
(Djallonke’)

48. 1. MASAI SHEEP
 Masai sheep are indigenous to East
Africa. They are found in Northern
Tanzania, South Central Kenya and
Uganda
 They are reared for meat production.
 They are red brown, occasionally pied
and fat tailed s
 Males are horned or polled while the
females are usually polled.
 The breed is highly valued for its
hardiness to arid conditions and
resistance to internal parasites

49. 2. BLACK HEAD PERSIAN
 It’s a fat tailed breed that directly
descends from the Somali
sheep.
 It is a polled breed with a white
body, black neck and an entire
black head and long pendulous
ears.
 Black head Persians are raised
for meat
 Rams weigh 68kg while the
ewes weigh 52kg
 Ewes lactate for 84 days

50. 3. DORSET HORN
 This is an endangered breed of British
origin (United Kingdom)
 The Dorset horn is distributed in the UK,
Australia, New zealand, North America
and South Africa
 It is highly prolific horned breed
 Males weigh 100 to 125kg, females weigh
70 to 90kg
 The wool and face are white in colour
 The fleece is thick weighing 2.25 to 3kg.
The staple length is 80-100mm

51. 4. CORRIADALE
 Developed in Newzealand and Australia from crossing
Lincoln rams with Merino ewes.
 Second most significant breed in the world after Merinos.
 Distributed world wide. Can thrive in throughout Asia, North
America and South Africa.

52. 4. CORRIADALE
 Corriedale is a dual purpose sheep.
 It is large framed, polled with good carcass quality
 Corriedale produces bulky, high yielding wool ranging
from 31.5-24.5 micron fiber diameter

53. 4. CORRIADALE
 Fleece from mature ewes will weigh 4.5-7.7kg
 Staple length: 3.5 to 6” (9-15cm)
 Yield percentage of fleece ranges from 50-60%
 Mature rams will weigh 79-125kg; ewes weigh 58-81kg

54. 5. ROMNEY SHEEP
 Origin: Romney Marsh
area of England
 Can thrive in wet and cold
environments
 Average size
 Faces are solid in colour
 Coat colour can be white
or coloured

55. 5. ROMNEY SHEEP
 Romneys are raised primarily
for wool production
 They produce thick and long
fleece ideal for hand
spinning.
 They can also produce meat
 Romney ewes are good at
caring for their young
 They produce sufficient milk
for their lambs

56. 5. ROMNEY SHEEP
 Mature body weight; Ram:
200-275lbs ewe: 150-
200lbs
 Average fiber diameter 32-
39 micron
 USDA Wool Grade 36’s-
48’s
 Grease fleece weight ewe
10-18lbs
 Yield 55-70%
 Staple length 5-8”

57. 6. DORPER
 Origin: South Africa
 Developed by crossing the Dorset horn with
Blackhead Persian sheep
 Second most common sheep in South Africa
The name Dorper is a coupling of the first syllabuses of the parent
breeds (Dorset horn and Blackhead Persian sheep).

58. 6. DORPER
 It is well adapted to arid conditions
 Dorpers adapt well to feedlot conditions
 Its an excellent grazer and browser
 Requires minimal input of labour
 It thick skin is highly prized and doesn’t require shearing,
crutching or mulesing
 Less prone to fly strike

59. 6. DORPER
 Produces short light coat
of wool and hair
 Dorpers have thick
skins.
 It is the most sought
after skin worldwide.
 The skin is marketed
under the name Cape
Glovers

60. 6. DORPER
 Fast growth rate (can
attain 36kg in 100
days).
 Hardy with good
maternal instincts.
 High fertility.
 Rams attain sexual
maturity at 5 months