CONTENT: (1) Farm animals.
(2) Characteristics of Cattle & Sheep.
(3) Breeds of farm animals
Sub-Topic 1: Farm Animals
Farm animals have certain basic features that make them belong to a particular
group .These characteristics help to differentiate them from other forms of animals
and also enable some of the animals to adapt to their natural habitat .Examples of
farm animals include: Cattle,Sheep,Goat,Pig,Poultry,Rabbit,Fish,Snails,GuineaPig,Grass-Cutter,Donkey & Horse.
CATTLE: Cattle belong to hoofed mammals. Some are humped (Bos indicus)
e.g.Sokoto Gudali, Red bororo &White Fulani while others are humpless (Bos Taurus)
e.g. Muturu &N’dama. Cattle is raised mainly for meat and milk.
Characteristics of Cattle:
Cattle are ruminant animals. They are large –bodied animals. They have large udder
with four glands .They have four pairs of hoofs on each limb .Beef cattle are lighter
than the dairy type .Some cattle are used as work animals e.g.Sokoto Gudali,White
Fulani ,N’dama e.t.c. Some are resistance to trypanosomiasis e.g. N’dama, Muturu,
etc. Gestation period(pregnancy period ) is 283 days.
SHEEP :They originated from Iran or Iraq in Asia .Sheep is raised in all country of the
world for meat (mutton) ,milk and wool .They are important in Tropical Africal
countries like Northern Nigeria,Ethiopia,Kenya ,Somalia,Sudan and Tanzania.
Characteristics of Sheep:
Sheep are ruminants mostly raised extensively for meat, milk and wool .They are small
bodied ruminants ,hollow-horned and even toed .Only male have horns except Ouda
The male are heavily manned . Gestation period is 150 days. Examples of sheep are
:Balami,TheFulani (Ouda ), Yankasa (Hausa ), West African Dwarf(WAD) Sheep. .
EVALUATION:
- State five farm animals that are raised in Nigeria.
- Mention four characteristics each of (i) Cattle and (ii) Sheep.
Sub-Topic 2: Characteristics of Goat and Pig.
GOAT: They are important ruminants that can adapt and maintain themselves in very
harsh environment. They can withstand diseases, high temperature and can survive
where other animals cannot .Goats are raised for meat, milk and skin. They are small
bodied animals .Both sexes have horns .Goats are scavengers and very inquisitive
.Gestation period is 150 days. Examples of goats are: Red bororo (Maradi),Fulani
(Sahel ),Kano brown,Nubian and WAD goat.
PIG: They are most productive of all farm animals . A sow (matured adult female pig)
can produce between 8 and 16 litters at a time .Pigs are raised for meat and lard.
They are omnivorous animals .They are good converters of feed into meat. They
mature early and can breed anytime of the year. Pig production requires small initial
capital with high return .Gestation period is 114 days .Examples of pigs are :Landrace
,Large white(Yorkshire),Duroc Jersey ,Large black ,Poland china ,Chester white e.t.c.
EVALUATION: - State four features each of (i) goat) and (ii) pig.
- State five breeds of pig we have.
Sub-Topic 3: a. Characteristics of Rabbit.
b. Characteristics of Poultry.
c. Characteristics of Horse.
RABBIT: They are .prolific animals that can produce up to four times in a year. Rabbit
are found both in temperate and tropical countries .They are raised for their meat,
skin (pelt) and hair (fur). They are easy to house ,handle and manage. They reach
maturity weight in about 5-6 months .Rabbit meat is of good quality .They are prone
to stress and the rate of cannibalism is high . Examples of rabbit are: California white,
California red , Chinchilla, New Zealand white, Flemish giant, Angora Dutch Rabbit,
Australia White, West African Rabbit(Giant Rat) etc.
POULTRY: Poultry are birds raised for meat ,eggs or feathers. They are found both in
temperate and tropical countries. Types of poultry birds are: Domestic fowl, duck,
turkey ,goose ,guinea fowl, pigeon . Fowl is the most popular of all and this makes
the discussion on poultry to be centred on domestic fowl .Domestic fowls are
grouped into two :Local fowl and Exotic fowl.
The local fowls are light in weight ,hardy ,resistant to diseases ,poor growth rate, low
egg production and production of white eggs .
Exotic fowls are grouped into two :Light breeders and heavy breeders
(i) Light Breeders : small sized, body early maturity ,good egg production,
production of white shelled eggs e.g. leghorn.
(ii) Heavy breeders: large sized body, slow maturity, poor egg production,
production of brown or tainted shelled eggs e.g. Rhode Island Red, Sussex.
HORSE: It is a non-ruminant animal raised mainly for work on the farm , riding for
pleasure and sport, transportation of goods and human beings and for traditional
ceremonies such as “Durbar festivals” in the Northern states of Nigeria.
EVALUATION: - Mention four features of rabbit.
- State five types of domesticated birds that were referred to as poultry.
- Mention three uses of a horse
Sub Topic 3: BREEDS OF FARM ANIMALS
CONTENT: (1) Breeds of Cattle
(2) Breeds of Sheep and Goats
(3) Breeds of Pigs and Rabbits
Sub-Topic 1: Breeds of Cattle
A .Meaning of Breeds: Breeds refer to kind or variety of animals with hereditary
qualities that are developed by people in a controlled way.
B. Breeds of cattle: There are many breeds of cattle these, include: White Fulani ,Red
bororo, Jet koram, Shuwa Arab, Yola or Adamawa(These can be used for dairy
purpose.), N’dama ,Kuri or Lake Chad, Muturu (WAD),Ghana short horn (These can be
used for beef production.)
Terms used for Cattle:
Bull: A matured adult male cattle
Cow: A matured adult female cattle.
Calf: Young one of cattle of either sex.
Heifer: A matured young female cattle not yet producing calves.
Bullock: A castrated bull
Calving: The process of giving birth to young ones by cow.
Beef: Meat of matured cattle.
Herd: Group of cattle.
Veal: Meat of young cattle.
Gestation period: This is the period of pregnancy. (283days)
EVALUATION: - Define breeds.
- List four breeds of cattle that can serve the following purposes
I dairy ii. beef
Sub-Topic 2: Breeds of Sheep and Goats
BREEDS OF SHEEP:
There are three well known breeds of sheep in West Africa. They are:
(i) The Ouda (The Fulani) – The commonest and the most widespread of all
breeds of sheep. .Ouda originated in Egypt. The rams have large ,wide and
spiral horns.
(ii) Yankasa (and Balami) –These are commonly found in North Central
Nigeria .The rams have long curved horns .Both are white in colour.
(iii) WAD Sheep-This is the smallest breed of sheep found in humid areas of W
.Africa.
Terms used for Sheep:
RAM: A matured adult male sheep.
Ewe: A matured adult female sheep.
Lamb: A young sheep of either sex.
Wether: A castrated ram.
Mutton: Meat of sheep.
Lambing: Parturition in ewe.
Flock: Group of adult sheep
Gestation period :150days
BREEDS OF GOAT: They are the earliest domesticated and the most widely
distributed animals with high concentration in Africa and India .Goat have ability to
withstand harsh weather conditions. The common breeds of goats are : Sokoto red
(maradi),Kano brown, Sahel goat, Borno white and WAD goat.
Terms used for goats.
Billy :A matured adult male goat .
Nanny :A matured adult female goat.
Buck :A male goat of breeding age.
Doe : A female goat of breeding stage .
Kid :A young goat of either sex .
Kidding :Parturition in doe.
Chevon : The meat of goat .
Castrate : A castrated male goat .
Herd : Group of goat .
Gestation period : 150days.
EVALUATION.
(I) The most widespread of sheep is——-
(II) State four breeds of goat you known
Sub-Topic 3: Breeds of Pigs and Rabbits
BREEDS OF PIGS :
Pigs are the most prolific (productive) of all farm animals .They are omnivorous and
heavy feeders. Pig production is not as popular as goat production because of
social, economic and religious reasons.
Breeds of pigs includes:
WAD pigs,
Large white(Yorkshire),
Land race,
American
Duroc,
Hampshire , large black, Chester White, polar China, Tam Worth e.t.c
TERMS USED IN DESCRIBING PIGS:
Boar: A matured adult male pig.
Sow: A matured adult female pig.
Hog (Barrow): A castrated boar.
Piglet: A young pig of either sex.
Barrowing: Parturition in sow.
Pork: Meat of pig.
Lard: Fat from pig.
Gestation period: 114days
BREEDS OF RABBIT: A productive animals that can produce up to four or five times
in a year. It is not a native to tropical Africa but can do well under local tropical
conditions . Examples of breeds of rabbit are :Flemish giant ,California rabbit, New
Zealand rabbit , Chinchilla ,Checkered giant ,Dutch spotted rabbit etc.
TERMS USED IN DESCRIBING RABBIT:
Buck: A matured adult male rabbit .
Doe: A matured adult female rabbit
Kitten: A young rabbit of either sex .
Colony: A group of rabbit.
Kindling: Parturition in doe.
Gestation period : 29 – 30 days
EVALUATION: - Define breed.
- State four breeds of (a) cattle (b) sheep (c) goat (d) pig (e) rabbit
- Mention four products that can be gotten from cattle ,sheep goat, pig and
rabbit.
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT:
Junior secondary Agriculture (workbook 1)byAnthony.Youdeowei et-al pages 10- 11
REFERENCES: - J S Agriculture for Nigerian schools by Anthony et al
- Essentials of Agricultural science for JSS by Anie