Small ruminants are grazing mammals, such as sheep and goats. The advantage of these animals, compared to large ruminants (cattle), is their low cost, small size, and marginal land use, which convert into high-quality animal products.

1. Introduction
Small ruminants are grazing mammals, such as
sheep and goats. The advantage of these animals,
compared to large ruminants (cattle), is their low cost,
small size, and marginal land use, which convert into
high-quality animal products.

2. Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, students are expected to :
• Explain and identify what is small ruminants
• Enumerate the different breeds of small ruminants
• Appreciate the importance of small Ruminants

3. Content:
In the Philippines, two of most popular small ruminants
are goats and sheep. Both are part of farming in the
country.
Common breeds of goat
1. Alpine
This dairy breed originated in the French Alps, and can
thrive in nearly any climate. They are the highest producing
milkers, with top goats producing up to two gallons per
day.
2.La Mancha

4. 3. Nubian
Nubian goats are easily recognizable due to their long, floppy
ears, and convex “Roman nose” muzzle.
4. Saanen
Saanen goats are the largest breed of dairy goat, and are second
in milk production only to Alpine goats. These popular goats
have short, white hair and upright ears, and are known for their
easy-going temperament.
5. Boer
If you’re looking for an economical meat animal or are interested
in making a little extra money, consider raising Boer goats.
6. Philippine Native goat
Small and for meat purposes only.

5. Common breeds of sheep
1. Hampshire sheep – primarily raised for meat production.
2. Shropshire sheep – a Tri-purpose breed (meat, wool and tree-
friendly)
3. Suffolks - are prolific, early maturing sheep with excellent
mutton carcasses. They are energetic, and the whole carriage is
alert, showing stamina and quality.
4. The Barbados Blackbelly sheep breed is native to Barbados,
one of the Caribbean Islands.
5. Merino – mainly bred for their wool, although they are
sometimes used for meat production.
6. Dorper – One of the most fertile of sheep breeds that is
hornless with good body length and a short light covering of
hair and wool.

7. ACTIVITY 1
BREEDS OF GOAT DISTINCT
CHARACTERISTICS
IDENTIFY THE
(MEAT,MILK OR DUAL)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
BREEDS OF SHEEP DISTINCT
CHARACTERISTICS
IDENTIFY THE PURPOSE
( MEAT,MILK OR DUAL)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

8. Assessment
IDENTIFICATION:
1. A prolific, early maturing sheep with excellent mutton
carcasses. They are energetic, and the whole carriage is alert,
showing stamina and quality.
2. It is mainly bred for their wool, although they are sometimes
used for meat production.
3. Small and for meat purposes only.
4. It is easily recognizable due to their long, floppy ears, and
convex “Roman nose” muzzle.
5. The producing milkers, with top goats producing up to two
gallons per day.

9. SUMMARY
Owing to their small stature and versatility, small
ruminants were, and still are, an important food
source in dry, remote regions of the world that lack
electricity and have limited grain or roughage. Small
ruminants are also efficient convertors of low-quality
feed materials to high-quality protein.Ruminants
provide a diverse range of products, such as meat,
milk, hides, wool, heat and energy, and play an
important role in animal-powered mechanisation on