Nutritional Classification of Farm Animals Animal Husbandry SS 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 2
Animal Husbandry SS 1 First Term Lesson Notes – Week 2
Subject:
Animal Husbandry
Class:
SS 1
Term:
First Term
Week:
2
Age:
14 – 16 years
Topic:
Classification of Farm Animals
Sub-Topic:
Classification Based on Nutrition
- Ruminants (Polygastrics)
- Small Ruminants (e.g., Sheep and Goats)
- Non-Ruminants (Monogastrics)
a. Poultry (Avian)
b. Pigs (Swine)
c. Rabbits
Duration:
40 minutes
Behavioral Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
- Define and explain the classification of farm animals based on nutrition.
- Identify characteristics of ruminants and non-ruminants.
- Classify examples of farm animals into ruminants and non-ruminants.
Keywords:
- Ruminants
- Monogastrics
- Polygastrics
- Nutritional classification
- Herbivores
Set Induction:
The teacher starts by asking students to name different farm animals they know and categorize them based on their eating habits, prompting discussion on their observations.
Entry Behavior:
Students have a general understanding of farm animals and their importance.
Learning Resources and Materials:
- Charts illustrating different farm animals
- Diagrams of the digestive systems of ruminants and non-ruminants
- Videos showing feeding habits of various farm animals
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:
Students are already familiar with common farm animals. This lesson builds on that knowledge by exploring how these animals are classified based on their nutritional needs.
Embedded Core Skills:
- Critical thinking
- Observation
- Collaboration
- Research
Learning Materials:
- Notebooks
- Textbooks
- Whiteboard and markers
Reference Books:
- Lagos State Scheme of Work
- Agricultural Science for Senior Secondary Schools by O.A. Iwena
Instructional Materials:
- Charts showing ruminants and non-ruminants
- Diagrams of digestive systems
Content:
Classification of Farm Animals Based on Nutrition
- Ruminants (Polygastrics):
- Ruminants have a specialized stomach with four compartments: the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum.
- They primarily feed on fibrous plant materials and have the ability to digest cellulose due to the presence of specific microorganisms in their rumen.
- Examples: Cattle, sheep, and goats.
- Small Ruminants:
- Small ruminants are typically smaller in size and have similar digestive systems to larger ruminants.
- Examples:
- Sheep: Commonly raised for meat (mutton), wool, and milk.
- Goats: Known for their versatility in diet and are raised for meat (chevon), milk, and fiber.
- Non-Ruminants (Monogastrics):
- Non-ruminants have a single-chambered stomach and do not have the ability to digest fibrous plant material as efficiently as ruminants.
- They require a diet that is higher in easily digestible nutrients.
a. Poultry (Avian):
- Birds such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys that have a unique digestive system including a gizzard.
- They are raised for meat and egg production.
b. Pigs (Swine):
- Pigs are omnivores and can consume a wide range of feed, including grains and kitchen scraps.
- They are primarily raised for pork production.
c. Rabbits:
- Rabbits are also classified as non-ruminants but have a unique digestive system that allows them to ferment food in their cecum.
- They are raised for meat and fur.
Evaluation
- Animals that have a specialized stomach with four compartments are called ______.
a) Monogastrics
b) Ruminants
c) Omnivores
Answer: b - Sheep and goats are examples of ______.
a) Large ruminants
b) Non-ruminants
c) Small ruminants
Answer: c - The stomach of ruminants includes the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and ______.
a) Cecum
b) Abomasum
c) Duodenum
Answer: b - Poultry refers to ______ animals.
a) Mammals
b) Birds
c) Fish
Answer: b - Pigs are classified as ______ animals.
a) Ruminants
b) Monogastrics
c) Herbivores
Answer: b - Non-ruminants have ______ chamber(s) in their stomach.
a) Two
b) Three
c) One
Answer: c - Rabbits have a unique digestive system that includes a ______.
a) Rumen
b) Cecum
c) Gizzard
Answer: b - Ruminants mainly feed on ______ materials.
a) Protein
b) Sugars
c) Fibrous
Answer: c - The ability to digest cellulose is mainly found in ______.
a) Monogastrics
b) Ruminants
c) Omnivores
Answer: b - Chickens are commonly raised for ______ production.
a) Wool
b) Meat
c) Milk
Answer: b - ______ are primarily raised for pork production.
a) Cattle
b) Sheep
c) Pigs
Answer: c - The digestive system of poultry includes a structure known as the ______.
a) Gizzard
b) Rumen
c) Stomach
Answer: a - Small ruminants are typically ______ than large ruminants.
a) Larger
b) Smaller
c) Similar
Answer: b - The nutritional classification of animals is important for ______ management.
a) Soil
b) Animal
c) Crop
Answer: b - Ruminants can digest ______ better than non-ruminants.
a) Carbohydrates
b) Fats
c) Cellulose
Answer: c
Class Activity Discussion
- What are ruminants?
Ruminants are animals that have a specialized stomach with four compartments for digesting fibrous food. - Can you name some examples of ruminants?
Examples include cattle, sheep, and goats. - What is the difference between ruminants and non-ruminants?
Ruminants have a multi-chambered stomach and can digest fibrous materials, while non-ruminants have a single-chambered stomach. - What are small ruminants?
Small ruminants are smaller animals like sheep and goats that have similar digestive systems to larger ruminants. - What do poultry animals produce?
Poultry animals are raised for meat and eggs. - How are pigs classified nutritionally?
Pigs are classified as non-ruminants or monogastrics. - What unique feature do rabbits have in their digestive system?
Rabbits have a cecum that helps them ferment food. - Why are ruminants important in agriculture?
They provide meat, milk, and other products and contribute to soil fertility through their manure. - What type of feed do non-ruminants require?
Non-ruminants require easily digestible nutrients as they cannot efficiently digest fibrous materials. - How does the digestive system of poultry differ from that of mammals?
Poultry have a gizzard that grinds food, while mammals have a more complex stomach structure. - What do we mean by “polygastrics”?
Polygastrics refers to animals that have multiple stomach compartments, aiding in the digestion of fibrous foods. - Are goats considered ruminants?
Yes, goats are classified as ruminants due to their multi-chambered stomach. - What is the role of the gizzard in poultry?
The gizzard helps grind food, aiding in digestion. - How do rabbits contribute to sustainable farming?
Rabbits provide meat and can thrive on forage, helping in waste recycling. - What is a key characteristic of monogastrics?
Monogastrics have a single-chambered stomach and rely on different types of feed compared to ruminants.
Evaluation Questions:
- Define ruminants and provide two examples.
- List three characteristics of small ruminants.
- Explain the difference between ruminants and non-ruminants.
- What is the nutritional classification of poultry?
- Identify one importance of pigs in animal husbandry.
- Describe the digestive system of rabbits.
- How do ruminants contribute to soil fertility?
- List two types of feed suitable for non-ruminants.
- What is the role of the cecum in rabbits?
- Explain why understanding animal classification is important for farmers.
Conclusion:
Understanding the classification of farm animals based on nutrition is essential for effective animal management and optimal production.