Meaning and Types of Farm Animals | Characteristics of Farm Animals | Classification of Farm Animals Based on Size, Habitat, Uses, Mammal and Non Mammal | Farm Animals and their Young Ones

INTRODUCTION TO FARM ANIMALS

Farm animals are animals that are kept for agricultural purposes. This includes such domesticated animals as cows and chickens, and wild animals that are raised in confinement, including mink and fish.

TYPES OF FARM ANIMALS 

1. Poultry – Poultry are domesticated birds kept by humans for their eggs, their meat or their feathers. For example – chicken, turkey, etc.

2. Aquatic – An aquatic animal is any animal that lives in water for most or all of its lifetime. For example – fish, crab, crayfish, etc.

3. Pet Animals – Pet animals are animals kept by human beings as a source of companionship, pleasure or entertainment rather than as livestock, work or test (experiment). For example – dog, cat, bird, etc.

4. Work Animals – Working animals are animals that are trained by humans to perform specific tasks such as farming, transportation, etc. For example – cattle, water buffalo, yak, elephants, llamas and camels.

5. Diary Animals – Dairy animals are are cattle bred animals that have the ability produce milk in large quantities. For example – cattle, buffaloes, goats, sheep and camels.

6. Guard Animals – Guard animals are animals that are trained to detect drugs and dangerous items, watch and guard property against unwanted and unexpected humans or animal intruders.

BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF FARM ANIMALS

1. They are living things.

2. Some of them feed on grasses, grains or both.

3. Some of them are extremely big or small and moderate.

4. Some of them walk, fly, swim, etc.

5. Some of them are food.

6. Some of them have hair while some have feathers.

7. Etc.

CLASSIFICATION OF FARM ANIMALS BASED ON:

1. Size

2. Habitat

3. Mammals and Non Mammals

4. Farm Animals and their Young Ones

5. Uses

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON SIZE

Farm Animals are classified according to their sizes. That’s farm Animals with small or large body sizes.

1. Large Farm Animals – These are animals with large body sizes. For examples, cattle, camels, horses, donkeys, etc.

2. Small Farm Animals – These are animals with small body sizes. For examples, chicken, rabbits, goats, dogs, etc.

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON HABITAT 

1. Aquatic (Water) Animals – These are animals that lived and survived in water. For examples, fish, crabs, crocodiles, crayfish, etc.

2. Terrestrial (Land) Animals – Most farm animals live on land. These are animals that lived and survived on land. They feed and breed there. For examples, cow, dogs, chickens, etc.

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON MAMMALS AND NON MAMMALS 

1. MAMMALS (VIVIPAROUS FARM ANIMALS) – Mammals are animals that give birth to their young ones alive and have their bodies covered with hair or fur. These animals produce milk for their young. These animals are called viviparous animals. These animals are goats, dogs, cow, etc.

2. NON MAMMALS (OVIPAROUS FARM ANIMALS) – Non Mammals animals that lay their eggs in order to produce their offspring. These animals are called oviparous animals. These are chickens, fish, tortoise, etc.

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON STOMACH TYPES 

1. Ruminant Animals – Ruminants farm animals are animals with complex stomach. They feed mostly on grass. For examples – goat, cow, sheep, etc.

2. Non Ruminant Animals – Non ruminants are other animals that feed mostly on tubers, grains, beans and fruits. For examples – pig, fish, chicken, etc.

FARM ANIMALS AND THEIR YOUNG ANIMALS 

1. Goat – kid

2. Dog – puppy

3. Pig – piglet

4. Chicken – chick

5. Sheep – lamb

6. Cow – calf

USES OF FARM ANIMALS 

Farm animals are useful to man in different ways –

1. Milk (dairy) producers – cow, buffalo, goat, camel, horse, etc.

2. Meat producers – cow, buffalo, chicken, etc.

3. Egg producers – poultry, fish, etc.

4. Work (beast of burden) – horse, donkey, mule, etc.

5. Sports and guard – chicken, dog, etc.

6. Source of hides or skin – hide or skin is an animal skin treated for human use, e.g. cattle, etc.

7. Source of manure

QUESTION

1. What is farm animals?

2. Mention 5 characteristics of farm animals.

3. With appropriate examples, list and discuss the classification of farm animals based on the following –

A. Size

B. Habitat

C. Uses

D. Mammal and Non Mammal

E. Stomach types

4. State 5 farm animals and their young ones.