Lesson Note On The Characteristic Features of Some Farm Animals and Their Distribution in Nigeria

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TOPIC: CLASSES AND USES OF FARM ANIMALS

CONTENT: Characteristic features of some farm animals and their distribution in Nigeria:

Cattle    (b) Sheep     (c) Goats       (d) pigs    (e) Rabbits   (f)  Poultry      (g) Horses

PIGS

They are the most productive of all farm animals. A sow can produce between 8 and 16 litters at a time. Hence, they are described as being highly prolific animals.

Pigs are raised for meat and lard.

Characteristics

• They are monogastric animals and mostly omnivorous.
• They are good converters of feed into meat.
• They mature early and can breed anytime of the year. (i.e polyestrous)
• Pig production requires small initial capital with high return.
• They have short gestation period of 114 days (3 months 3 weeks and 3days).

Breeds/ Examples of pigs are:

1. Landrace,
2. West African dwarf,
3. Duroc Jersey,
4. Large black
5. Large white (Yorkshire),
6. Poland China,
7. Chester White,e.t.c.

All these are exotic (imported) except no(ii) that could be found in southern Nigeria.

EVALUATION:

1. State four features each of (i) goat) and (ii) pig.
2. State five breeds of pigs.

Sub-Topic 3: Rabbits, Poultry and Horse

RABBIT:

Rabbits are found both in temperate and tropical countries.

They are raised for their meat, skin (pelt) and hair (fur).

Characteristics

• They are prolific animals that can produce up to four times in a year.
• They are easy to house, handle and manage.
• They reach maturity weight in about 5-6 months.
• Rabbit meat is of good quality, more delicious and nutritious than that of chicken.
• They are prone to stress and the rate of cannibalism is high.
• Rabbits are monogastrics and eat mainly green plant food and sometimes concentrates feeds.
• They have small body size.
• They have short gestation period of between 31- 32 days.
• They are coprophagous, i.e they eat their faeces.

Breeds/Examples of rabbit are: