Characteristics Of Selected Farm Animals JSS1 Agricultural Science Lesson Note

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FARM ANIMAL

CHARACTERISTICS OF CATTLE

1.                 It has a large body size
2.                 It is a ruminant that grazes on herbs and pasture
3.                 It has four pairs of hoofs on each limb
4.                 Male and female have horns
5.                 Calves at least once in a year
6.                 Produces a calf in one parturition
7.                 The udder has four glands
8.                 Well-formed earlobes
9.                 The gestation period is between 283-305 days
10.             Their puberty age ranges between 8-12 months

 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF GOATS

1.                 They are very hard and can survive unfavorable environmental conditions
2.                 They have a medium size
3.                 Male and female have horns
4.                 They are very prolific and can produce kids three times in two years
5.                 Have an unturned tail
6.                 They are reared mostly for meat, skin, milk, and fiber
7.                 They are the most acceptable breed of farm animals
8.                 Male is often with beards
9.                 The gestation periods between 145, 154 days, or 4-5 months
10.             They are mostly reared on the extensive system

 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SHEEP

1.                 They have a medium size with long legs
2.                 Have a long thin tail that hangs down
3.                 The ear lobes are long and dropping
4.                 They are grazers and can also scavenge on relish of road size
5.                 They are kept mostly for meat, wool, fleece and milk purposes
6.                 Leather from sheep hides is used to make shoes, gloves, and jackets
7.                 They seem to be very stupid in appearance and behavior
8.                 The gestation period is between 151-154 days or 51/12 months.
9.                 Only the males have horns, but the females are polled
10.             Twining is very common (Delivery of twins).

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PIGS

1.                 They have a high deposit of fats hence their association with ponds or water because of catabolism.
2.                 They are very prolific producing 8-16 piglets at a time
3.                 They can farrow twice in a year
4.                 The gestation period is very short, it is 114 days (3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days)
5.                 They have high feed convertibility
6.                 They can produce at any time
7.                 They are monogastric animals and are mostly omnivores in nature
8.                 The neck is short and fixed i.e. the neck is immovable
9.                 The tail is short and coiled.

IMPORTANCE OF FARM ANIMAL

1.                 FOOD AND FEED:  The major importance of farm animals is the provision of food protein which is essential to good health
2.                 EMPLOYMENT:  Livestock production constitutes a full-time occupation for some farms.  These farmers derived all their products for these animals as milk, eggs, and wool
3.                 CLOTHING:  Sheep are used both for the production of meat and wool.  The farmers remove the wool, using an instrument called shears (shearing) from the animals just at the beginning of the hot weather every year.  The wool is sold to the textile industry where it is used in making materials such as woolen dresses, cardigans, pullover socks, and hats.
4.                 WORK:  In Nigeria, large farms and animals like cattle (e.g. Red Bororo) are used for ploughing the field in the Northern parts of the country.  Other animals such as the donkey and camel are used to carry heavy loads from place to place.
5.                 MANURE:  While grazing farm animals e.g. cattle drop their faeces on the field.  The feces constitute a good source of organic manure (Farm yard manure which enriches the soil for subsequent crops.
6.                 PLEASURE AND PROTECTION:  Some animals are kept mainly for pleasure, racing, or protection of their owners.  Animals such as cats are kept for pets.  Also, animals kept in the zoo are kept for the reaction and pleasure of the visitors.

Horses are kept for racing and riding during ceremonies and occasions, the dog is used to protect their owners against thieves or other invaders and it is also used for hunting small wild animals by hunters.