Classes and Uses of Farm Animals – JSS1 Agricultural Science Lesson Note (Second Term)

Farm animals are grouped by the use people make of them. The main classes in this note are work animals, dairy animals, beef animals, guard animals, poultry, pet animals and aquatic animals. Work animals supply labour, dairy animals supply milk, beef animals supply meat, guard animals give security, and poultry supply meat and eggs.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• name the classes of farm animals;
• explain the use of each class;
• give examples of animals in each class;
• name the common types of poultry.

What are the classes of farm animals?

Work animals

These are animals used as a source of labour for farm work such as tilling the soil and carrying farm produce. Some breeds of cattle are exceptional as work animals for certain farm operations. Other animals such as donkeys and camels are used to carry loads from place to place.

Dairy animals

These are farm animals reared mainly for milk production. Some breeds of cattle are the major dairy animals because they are good milk producers. However, sheep and goats can also be kept for milk production.

Beef animals

These animals are kept for meat production. Almost all farm animals are kept for their flesh. Sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, poultry and fish all produce flesh eaten as food by people.

Guard animals

These animals are kept for security purposes. For instance, dogs are kept to protect their owners and guard their properties or farm compounds. They can be trained to track down thieves.

Poultry (birds)

These are domesticated birds. They produce meat and eggs used as food. The common poultry are chicken, duck, guinea fowl, turkey and geese.

Pet animals

These are animals kept in houses as pets. They are kept at home for pleasure rather than for work or food. Dogs, parrots and fish can be kept as pets.

Aquatic animals

These are animals that live in water. They are domesticated in a water environment. Fish are the most important aquatic animals to man, and some breeds of fish have been domesticated. Examples are catfish and tilapia.

Evaluation

1. What are work animals? Give two examples.
2. Which farm animals are kept for milk production?
3. State two reasons for keeping dogs.
4. List the common types of poultry.
5. Name two aquatic animals that have been domesticated.

Assignment

Name the seven classes of farm animals and give one example of an animal in each class.