Characteristics of Farm Animal

Farm animals play a vital role in agricultural systems across the world, providing meat, milk, leather, fibre, and other essential resources. Understanding their general characteristics is important for students, farmers, and anyone involved in livestock management.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the key physical and reproductive features of four common types of farm animals: cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs.

From body size and gestation periods to feeding habits and unique traits, you’ll gain valuable insights into how these animals are adapted to various environments and purposes in farming.

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. Males and females have horns
5. Calves at least once 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

Characteristics of Goats

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

Characteristics of Sheep

1. They have a medium size with long legs
2. It has a long, thin tail which hangs down
3. The ear lobes are long and drooping
4. They are grazers and can also scavenge on the 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 behaviour
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).

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 a high feed conversion
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.

See also:

FORMS OF FARM ANIMALS

CLASSIFICATION OF CROPS ACCORDING TO THEIR USES

Common Diseases of Farm Animals

DISEASES OF FARM ANIMALS

FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE DECIDING ON ANIMAL FEED