Systems of Rearing Farm Animals

Back to: Pre Vocational Studies Primary 5

Welcome to class!

Hello, my organized student! I’m so happy to have you back for another informative lesson. Today, we’re going to talk about “systems of rearing farm animals.” This means the different ways that farmers raise animals, depending on factors like the type of animal, the available land, and the resources they have. It’s like having different ways to travel – you can walk, ride a bicycle, or take a car, depending on where you’re going and how far you need to travel. Let’s begin!

Systems of Rearing Farm Animals 

There are several different systems of rearing farm animals, but we’ll focus on three main ones:

1. Extensive System:

• This system involves raising animals on large areas of land with minimal input from the farmer.
• Animals are allowed to roam freely and graze on natural pastures or rangelands.
• This system is often used for animals like cattle, sheep, and goats in areas with plenty of land.
• Advantages: Low cost, animals can express natural behaviors.
• Disadvantages: Requires large areas of land, lower productivity per animal, animals are more exposed to predators and diseases.

2. Intensive System:

• This system involves raising a large number of animals in a confined space with high input from the farmer.
• Animals are often kept indoors or in small pens and are provided with specially formulated feed.
• This system is often used for animals like chickens, pigs, and dairy cows.
• Advantages: High productivity per animal, efficient use of land, easier to monitor and control animal health.
• Disadvantages: High cost (for feed, housing, and other inputs), potential for environmental pollution, concerns about animal welfare.

3. Semi-Intensive System:

• This system is a combination of the extensive and intensive systems.
• Animals are allowed to graze outdoors for part of the time but are also provided with supplementary feed and housing.
• This system is often used for animals like cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry.
• Advantages: Balances productivity and cost, allows animals some access to natural behaviors.
• Disadvantages: Requires more management than extensive systems, still some potential for environmental impact.

Let’s use some examples:

• Extensive: A cattle ranch in a large open grassland where cows graze freely.
• Intensive: A large poultry farm where thousands of chickens are kept in a large building and provided with feed and water.
• Semi-Intensive: A goat farm where goats graze in a pasture during the day and are kept in a shed at night and given extra feed.

So, to summarize, there are different systems of rearing farm animals, including extensive, intensive, and semi-intensive systems. The best system to use depends on various factors, including the type of animal, available resources, and the farmer’s goals.

Evaluation 

1. Can you name the three main systems of rearing farm animals? 
2. Can you describe one advantage and one disadvantage of the extensive system? 
3. Can you describe one advantage of the intensive system? 

Excellent! You’re doing a fantastic job! I’m so proud of your learning. 

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