CHARACTERISTICS OF FARM ANIMALS

• Pig
• Rabbit
• Poultry 

Pig (Susdomesticus)

They are the most productive of all commonly reared farm animals producing from 8 – 16 piglets per litter.

Characteristics of Rabbits

1. They possess snout (modified nose)
2. They have long droopy/erect ears
3. They possess short curly tail
4. They do not have sweat pore.
5. They are highly prolific animals farrowing u to 16 piglets per litter.
6. They do not have horns
7. They are reared for their meat and fat (lard).

Breeds of pigs are duroc, Yorkshire, Berkshire, Poland china, large white etc.

 

Rabbits

Rabbits are found in tropical and temperate countries and raised for its meat and skin. It can reproduce up to four times in a year and can produce about 6-8 kits per litter.

Characteristics of Rabbits

1. Possess medium body size
2. Young ones are usually born blind.
3. They can give birth up to 4 times in a year
4. They do not possess horns
5. They are mammals, but non-ruminants.
6. Gestation period is about 32 days.
7. They give birth to large litters at once about 6-8.
8. They have good quality meat (white meat).

 

Poultry

Usually reared for their meat and egg, they can be found anywhere. They are referred to as fowl or birds.

Characteristics of Poultry

1. They are monogastrics animals
2. They are medium sized animals
3. They are prolific egg layers. That is, they lay a lot of eggs.
4. They are non-mammals because they lay eggs which later hatch into chicks.
5. They possess beak modified for feeding
6. Their bodies are covered with feathers.
7. They are reared for meat, eggs and feathers.

Examples are duck, chicken, goose, turkey, pigeon, quail etc.

 

IMPORTANT DETAILS TO NOTE ABOUT COMMON FARM ANIMALS

ANIMAL	SCIENTIFIC NAME	MALE	FEMALE	YOUNG	MEAT	ACT OF PARTURITION	GESTATION PERIOD	GROUP/CLASS
Cattle	Bosspp	Bull	Cow	Calf	Beef	Calving	283 days	Mammal
Goat	Caprahircus	Buck	Doe	Kid	Chevon	Kidding	150 days	Mammal
Sheep	Ovisaries	Ram	Ewe	Lamb	Mutton	Lambing	150 days	Mammal
Pig	Susdomesticus	Boar	Sow	Piglet	Pork	Farrowing	114 days	Mammal
Rabbit	Oryctolaguscuniculus	Buck	Doe	Kit		Kindling	32 days	Mammal
Chicken	Gallusdomesticus	Cock	Hen	Chick		Hatching	21 days	Bird

 

GENERAL EVALUATION

1. Give three (3) reasons why cattle, sheep goat and rabbit are regarded as mammals.
2. State the names of the following types of meat:
3. Goat meat
4. Cattle meat
5. Fowl meat
6. List five characteristics of Rabbits.
7. Gestation period of a rabbit is ___.

.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. The most productive farm animal is? A. Sheep B. Goat C. PigD. horse.
2. Meat from sheep is called A. Chevon B. Mutton C. Pork D. Beef.
3. Which of these animals has the shortest gestation period A. Sheep B. Rabbit C. Goat D. Pig
4. Which of these farm animals can be used for work on the farm? A.Bullocks B.Rabbit C.Chicken D.Goat.
5. Which of these farm animals is a monogastrics animalA.CattleB.Camel C.Horse D.Chicken

 

THEORY

1. List four classes of farm animals based on uses.
2. Mention five characteristics of rabbits.

 

See also

CHARACTERISTICS OF FARM ANIMALS

FARM ANIMALS

FORMS OF ENERGY

MEANING AND TYPES OF BUILDING

MEANING OF SHAPE CONSTRUCTIONS