WEEK TWO
SUBJECT: AGRIC SCIENCE
CLASS: GRADE 7
TERM: SECOND
TOPIC: CLASSES,
DISTRIBUTION AND USES OF FARM ANIMALS IN NIGERIA
CLASSIFICATION OF FARM
ANIMALS BASED ON SIZE: Farm animals are classified based
on their size. For example, there are large and small animals.
a. Large Animals: These
are the large/big farm animals like cattle, buffaloes, donkeys, horses, etc.
They possess great strength and can be used to till the soil. Some weigh up to
250kg or more. They produce large quantities of meat. Their skins are processed
into hides.
b. Small Animals:
As their name implies, they are the small farm animals. Examples are sheep,
goat, pigs, rabbits, poultry, etc. Small animals like sheep, goats and pigs can
weigh between 80-130kg at maturity, depending on the breed. Their skin can be
processed into leather for various uses. Pig body requires wallows to control
their body temperature. Poultry when fully matured could weigh up to 1.5 to
2kg. Poultry feathers are used to stuff pillows and can be processed into
animal feeds.
CLASSIFICATION OF FARM
ANIMALS BASED ON BASIC CHARACTERISTICS: Some basic
characteristic of farm animals includes the following:-
i.
They are domesticated by man and reproduce under his care.
ii.
They are of economic importance to man through their products (meat, milk,
eggs, manure, etc).
iii.
They provide raw materials for our industries.
iv.
They depend on plants and plant products for their food.
v.
Their limbs are modified for walking as in cattle, sheep, pigs and goat; the
fins for swimming as in fishes while the feathers are modified for flight as in
the birds.
vi.
The body of some farm animals are covered with hairs e.g. cattle, sheep and
goats; while others have feathers e.g. poultry.
vii.
Some farm animals are mammals. This means that, they bear their young ones
alive, while others like poultry lay eggs.
viii.
Farm animals are mostly vertebrates that is, animals with backbones. They have
structural out-growth on their limbs called nails and claws.
CLASSIFICATION OF FARM
ANIMALS BASED ON HABITAT: The living places of organism are
hardly alike. The term habitat means the natural home of organisms with similar
characteristics. Farm animals may therefore be classified based on their living
places. For example, there are
a. Aquatic Animals: These
are animals whose habitats are practically watery media. This means that they
live permanently in water bodies. Examples of aquatic animals include fishes,
crabs, crayfish, shrimps, prawns, periwinkles, etc. However, aquatic habitats
with predominantly salt water are termed marine while those that practically
contain no salt are fresh-water. Also watery habitats in which salt and fresh
water inter-mix i.e. contain trace of salt (brackish) are known as estuarine
habitat.
b. Terrestrial Animals:
The
term “Terrestrial” means typical dry land habitat. Therefore terrestrial
animals are those animals that live on a dry land. Examples include cattle,
sheep, goats, snails, etc.
c. Arboreal Animals: Animals
with aerial habitat. That is animals which prefers life on the tree e.g. bees,
squirrels, monkeys.
USES OF FARM ANIMALS: The
purposes and uses of farm animals are unlimited and may include the following:-
i.
Farm animals may be kept for their products such as meat, milk and eggs which
serve as food for man.
ii.
Farm animal products provide income to the nation, thereby contributing to
national income.
iii.
Farm animals may be kept generating raw materials for industries. For example,
(a) eggs are used in pharmaceutical preparations as well as in beauty products
like shampoo and soap making (b) Feathers are used for making mattresses and
pillow making (c) Hide and skin from farm animals are used in leather
industries for making shoes, bags and belts (d) Bones, hoofs and horns of
animals are used by some industries to produce cups, plates and buttons.
(e)
Animal wools and hairs are useful materials for cloth making. Wool can be
gotten from sheep.
iv.
Some farm animals may be used in medical research. For example, pigs in human
medicines and surgery.
v.
Farm animal wastes, such as sheep, goat and poultry faeces are good sources of
manure for enriching poor soils.
vi.
Some farm animals may be used for agricultural power supply. For example,
bulls, donkey and horses can be used for driving ploughs and for carrying heavy
loads in and out of the farm.
vii.
Some farm animals may be kept for producing fur products e.g. rabbit furs are
used for making coats.
viii.
Keeping farm animals can offer employment opportunities to people.
ix.
Farm animals may be kept as symbol of prestige e.g. in the northern states of
Nigeria, a wealthy man is known by the number of animals he has. This includes
horses, ostriches, peacocks, etc.
x.
Some farm animals may be kept for recreational purposes e.g. horse racing, cock
fighting, peacock parading, bull fighting, etc.
ASSIGNMENT
OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS:
1.
Which of these is NOT an aquatic animal? A. Crab B. Fish C. Lobster D. Rat E. Shrimp
2.
Which of the following animals requires wallows to control its body
temperature? A. Donkey B. Goat C. Pig D. Rabbit E. Sheep
3.
Which of these is NOT an animal
by-product? A. Beef B. Bone C. Fur D. Hide E. Horn
4.
Which of the following is a small farm animal? A. cattle B. donkey C. buffaloes
D. rabbit E. horses
5.
Which of these farm animals is used for transportation of farm produce? A.
Donkey B. Goat C. Pig D. Rabbit E. Sheep
6.
The following are benefits of farm animals to man EXCEPT A. clothing B. food C.
hides D. manure E. shelter
THEORY QUESTIONS:
1. Classify farm animals based on size.
2.
List five basic characteristics of farm animals.
3. Classify farm animals based on habitat.
4.
State fives uses of farm animals.
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