Back to: Animal Husbandry SS 2
CLASSIFICATION OF FARM ANIMALS BASED ON THE CLASS THE ANIMAL BELONGS TO:
The class the animal belongs to refers to the group that a particular animal belongs to in the animal kingdom.
Farm animals are therefore classified into two groups based on their classes. These two classes in the animal kingdom are: (a) Mammalia and (b) Aves
(a) Mammalia: All mammals belong to this group. Their bodies are covered with hairs. They have heterodont dentition, that is, they possess different sets of teeth. Reproduction is sexual and fertilisation is internal. They have strong bones that give support to the body. They have two pairs of limbs (forelimbs) and the hind limbs (legs) which enable them to move. They do not lay eggs and they have mammary glands that produce milk to feed the young ones.
(b) Aves: All birds belong to this group. They have beaks without teeth used for feeding. They possess feathers which aid them in warmth, protection and for flight. They have wings which may be used for flight. Their entire bodies are covered with feathers except the hind legs which are covered with scales. They have rigid and hollow bones with air sacs which make then light during flight. They lay eggs and do not have mammary glands
6. CLASSIFICATION OF FARM ANIMALS BASED ON THEIR MODE OF REPRODUCTION
The mode of reprodcution refers to the way in which the adult female animals give birth to the young ones.
Farm animals are therefore classified into two groups based on the mode of reproduction. These two groups are: (a) Oviparity and (b)
Viviparity.
(a) Oviparity: This is defined as a process of reproduction in animals in which the animals lay eggs. The embryos grow and develop within the eggs after which the eggs are hatched to give rise to new offspring. The eggs may be fertilised inside or outside the body of the female animal. However, the development of the embryo inside the egg takes place externally i.e. outside the body of the female.
Animals which lay eggs or do not give birth to the young ones alive are called Oviparous animals. Examples include domestic fowls, ducks, geese, ostrich, pigeons, etc.
(b) Viviparity: This is defined as a process or mode of reproduction in animals in which such animals give birth to young ones alive. In other words, these animals do not lay eggs. The eggs or ova are fertilized internally inside the body of the female animals. The development of the embryo inside the egg or ovum takes place internally.
Animals which give birth to the young ones alive are called viviparous animals. Examples are found in mammals only such as cows, sheep, goats, rabbits, pigs, etc.
BREEDS, CHARACTERISTICS AND ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF SOME FARM ANIMALS
1. POULTRY
Introduction: Poultry refers to the group of birds reared for food and other purposes. These include domestic fowls turkeys, goose, guinea fowls and ducks. These birds are reared mainly for meat, eggs and manure. They are non-ruminants.
Terminology Used in Poultry male fowl above one year of age.
Cock – male fowl above one year of age.
Cockerel – male fowl below one year of age.
Hen – female fowl above one year of age.
Pullet – female fowl below one year of age.
Chick – A young fowl (0-6 weeks old).
Capon – A castrated male fowl.
Caponisation – Process of castration in fowl.
Treading – Act of mating in fowl.
Grower – fowl between 7 and 19 weeks of age.
Layer – female fowl over 20 weeks of age that can lay eggs.
Broiler – fowl reared for meat.
Clutch – A group of young chicks.
Flock – A group of fowls.
Chicken – meat of fowl.
BREEDS OF DOMESTIC FOWLS The various species of fowl may have had a common ancestor, the primitive fowl called
Gallus Gallus: From the outset, poultry was grouped into two major types. These are:
(a) The Pullet: These groups of poultry were reared mainly for egg production. They were kept for about 1-1.5 years
(b) The Broiler: These groups of poultry were kept mainly for meat production and they were kept for about 6-8 months.
Poultry birds are generally grouped into three major breeds which are (1) The egg producer, (2) The meat producers and (3) The dual purposes.
(1) The Egg Producers: These Breeds of fowl are reared mainly to provide eggs for human consumption and other purposes. Examples include the white leghorn and brown leghorn.
(2) The Meat Producers: These birds also called the broilers, are reared mainly to provide eggs for human consumption and other purposes. Examples include the Sussex, Cornish and Cochin.
(3) The Dual Purpose Birds: These fowl are reared both for egg and meat production. Rock and New Hampshire.
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