Animal production (animal husbandry) is the rearing of farm animals for food, income and other products. Common farm animals include cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry (chickens, turkeys) and rabbits.
Importance of Farm Animals
- Food: meat, eggs and milk.
- Income: sale of animals and products.
- Manure: droppings used as organic fertiliser.
- Draught power: animals like cattle pull ploughs and carts.
- Raw materials: hides and skins (leather), wool.
Classes of Farm Animals
| Class | Examples | Main products |
|---|---|---|
| Ruminants | Cattle, sheep, goats | Meat, milk, wool |
| Non-ruminants (monogastrics) | Pigs, rabbits | Meat |
| Poultry | Chickens, turkeys, ducks | Meat, eggs |
Feeding Farm Animals
Animals need a balanced ration containing carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water.
- Energy feeds: maize, cassava, grains.
- Protein feeds: groundnut cake, soybean meal, fish meal.
- Roughage: grasses and legumes for ruminants.
Housing
Good housing protects animals from rain, sun, predators and disease, and makes management easier. It should be well-ventilated, clean and spacious (not overcrowded). Poultry need special structures like deep-litter or battery cages.
Animal Health and Diseases
- Common diseases: Newcastle disease (poultry), foot-and-mouth disease (cattle), rinderpest, coccidiosis (poultry).
- Signs of a sick animal: loss of appetite, dullness, rough coat/feathers, diarrhoea, isolation from the flock/herd.
- Prevention: vaccination, good hygiene, balanced feeding, isolation of sick animals.
Summary
Farm animals provide food, income, manure and raw materials. They need balanced feeding, good housing and disease control. Ruminants digest fibre through their four-chambered stomach, while non-ruminants and poultry have simple stomachs.
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