CHARACTERISTICS OF FARM ANIMALS

Cattle (Bosspp)

Belong to the family of animals called hoofed animals, and are reared mainly for meat and milk. Humped cattle are scientifically called Bosindicus, while humpless cattle are called Bostaurus. They may or may not have horns.

Characteristics of cattle

1. They have a large body size
2. They belong to the family of mammals called Bovidae
3. They are mammals because they give birth to their young ones alive.
4. They are ruminants
5. Male and female cattle possess horns
6. A female cow can produce one calf a year (gestation period is 283 days)
7. Beef cattle are usually stocky, i.e. have a lot of flesh/meat, while dairy cattle are usually bony.
8. Cattle generally feed on forage crops.

Breed of cattle includes Sokoto gudali, keteku, red bororo, N’dama, muturu, white Fulani, etc.

Sheep (Ovisaries)

Sheep also belong to the family of hoofed animals. They are reared in all countries and provide meat (mutton), milk and wool for man’s use.

Characteristics of Sheep

1. They are ruminant animals
2. They are mammals.
3. They possess or have a medium body size with long legs
4. They possess long and droopy earlobes
5. Usually reared for its meat, wool, leather, milk and fleece.
6. Male sheep have horns while the females are polled (don’t have horns).
7. They mostly give birth to twins and can give birth to their young ones up to three times in two years (gestation period is 150 days).
8. They possess long, thick tails which hang down.

Breed of sheep includes ouda, yankasa, balami, etc.

Goat (Caprahircus)

Goat also belongs to the family of hoofed animals. They are reared in all countries and provide meat (chevon) and milk for human use. Goats are important animals because they can adapt to harsh environments, they can survive on anything, including waste, it is resistant to a wide variety of diseases and high temperatures in the tropics, and they can fend for themselves.

Characteristics of Goats

1. They possess a medium body size
2. Both male and female goats possess horns
3. They are tough animals and can withstand unfavourable weather conditions
4. They are kept for the production of meat, milk and skin.
5. Male goats have beards
6. It can give birth to its young ones up to three times in two years (gestation period is 150 days).
7. It can survive by feeding on almost any available food, including kitchen waste.

Breeds of goat are Sokoto red, angora, west African dwarf, Kano brown, etc.

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS

1. State five characteristics of each of these animals.
2. Cattle
3. Sheep
4. State four features of a goat.
5. Humped and humpless cattle are called _________ and ____________.
6. Cattle belong to which family of animals?

THEORY

1. Mention two characteristics of sheep.
2. State three important of goats.

See also

FARM ANIMALS

FORMS OF ENERGY

MEANING AND TYPES OF BUILDING

MEANING OF SHAPE CONSTRUCTIONS

USES OF ICT GADGET