Farm animals come in various forms and play crucial roles in agriculture and food production. Here are some common forms of farm animals:
1. Cattle: Cattle are large ruminant animals commonly raised for meat (beef cattle) or dairy products (dairy cattle). They include breeds like Angus, Hereford, Holstein, and Jersey.
2. Pigs: Pigs, also known as swine, are domesticated animals primarily raised for pork production. They come in various breeds, including Berkshire, Duroc, Hampshire, and Yorkshire.
3. Chickens: Chickens are raised for meat (broilers) or egg production (layers). Different breeds of chickens exist, such as Rhode Island Red, Leghorn, and Cornish.
4. Sheep: Sheep are raised for their wool, meat (mutton or lamb), and milk. Common sheep breeds include Merino, Suffolk, Dorset, and Rambouillet.
5. Goats: Goats are versatile animals raised for milk, meat (chevon), and fiber (mohair). Breeds like Nubian, Boer, LaMancha, and Angora goats are commonly raised.
6. Horses: Horses have been historically important in agriculture, transportation, and recreational activities. While not primarily raised for food, some horse breeds are used in the production of horse meat in certain regions.
7. Ducks: Ducks are raised for meat (duck meat) and eggs. Breeds such as Pekin, Muscovy, and Rouen are commonly raised for commercial purposes.
8. Turkeys: Turkeys are primarily raised for meat, especially during festive occasions like Thanksgiving. Broad Breasted White and Bronze are popular turkey breeds.
9. Geese: Geese are raised for their meat and feathers. The Embden, Toulouse, and Chinese breeds are commonly raised for commercial purposes.
10. Bees: While not animals in the traditional sense, bees are an essential part of many farms. They are kept for honey production and pollination services, benefiting crops and orchards.
11. Work Animals: These are animals used as a source of labour from doing farm work such as tilling the soil and carrying farm produce. Some breed of cattle are exceptional as work animals to perform certain farm operation. Other animals such as donkeys and camels are used to carry load from place to place
12. Diary Animals: These are farm animals reared mainly for milk production. Some breed of cattle is the major dairy animals because they are good milk producers. However, sheep and goat can also be kept for milk production
13. Beef Animals: These animals are kept for meat production, almost all farm animals are kept for the purpose of feeding on their flesh e.g. sheep, cattle, goat, pig, poultry and fish all produce flesh eaten as food for man.
14. Guard Animals: These animals are kept for security purpose for instance dogs are kept to protect his owners and guard his properties or farm compound. They can be trained to track down thieves.
15. Poultry (Bird): These are domesticated bird. They produce meat and eggs used as food. The common of poultry are chicken, duck, guinea fowl, turkey and geese
16. Pet Animals: These are animals kept in houses as pet. They are kept at home for pleasure rather than for work or food. Dogs, fats, fish can be kept as pets
17. Aquatic Animals: These are animals that live in water. Hence they are domesticated in water environment fish is the most important aquatic animal to man some breeds of fish has been domesticated by man. Examples are cat fish, tilapia and so on.
These are just a few examples of the diverse forms of farm animals. Each animal has specific characteristics and purposes that contribute to agricultural practices and the production of food and other resources.
See also:
CLASSIFICATION OF CROP ACCORDING TO THEIR USES
Common Disease of Farm Animals
FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE DESIDING ANIMAL FEED