Understanding Farm Animal Classifications: Ruminants, Non-Ruminants, Macro, and Micro Animal Husbandry SS 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 4

Animal Husbandry SS 1 First Term Lesson Notes – Week 4

Subject:

Animal Husbandry

Class:

SS 1

Term:

First Term

Week:

4

Age:

14 – 16 years

Topic:

Classification of Farm Animals III

Sub-Topic:

1. Distinction between Ruminants and Non-Ruminants
2. Distinction between Macro and Micro Farm Animals

Duration:

40 minutes

Behavioral Objectives:

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Distinguish between ruminants and non-ruminants based on their digestive systems.
2. Explain the differences between macro and micro farm animals with examples.
3. Identify the significance of each classification in animal husbandry.

Keywords:

• Ruminants
• Non-ruminants
• Macro farm animals
• Micro farm animals
• Digestive systems

Set Induction:

The teacher initiates the lesson by asking students to recall characteristics of ruminants and non-ruminants and their significance in farming practices.

Entry Behavior:

Students have previously learned about the classifications of ruminants and non-ruminants.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Diagrams comparing ruminants and non-ruminants
• Charts showing macro and micro farm animals
• Videos illustrating digestive processes in different farm animals

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

Students have explored animal classifications and their feeding habits in earlier lessons. This lesson builds on that knowledge by focusing on the distinctions between ruminants, non-ruminants, and the size classifications of farm animals.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Analytical thinking
• Observation
• Communication
• 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:

• Diagrams showing the digestive systems of ruminants and non-ruminants
• Charts illustrating macro and micro farm animals

Content:

Classification of Farm Animals III

1. Distinguishing Between Ruminants and Non-Ruminants:
   • Ruminants:
     • Ruminants possess a multi-chambered stomach (typically four chambers) that enables them to efficiently break down fibrous plant materials through fermentation.
     • Examples include cattle, sheep, and goats.
   • Non-Ruminants:
     • Non-ruminants have a single-chambered stomach and cannot efficiently digest high-fiber feeds.
     • Examples include pigs, horses, and poultry.
   • Key Differences:
     • Digestive Process: Ruminants regurgitate food to chew it again (rumination), while non-ruminants do not.
     • Nutritional Needs: Ruminants can thrive on high-fiber diets, whereas non-ruminants require more concentrated feeds.
2. Distinguishing Between Macro and Micro Farm Animals:
   • Macro Farm Animals:
     • Macro animals are larger in size and typically raised for significant meat, milk, or labor production.
     • Examples include cattle, horses, and pigs.
   • Micro Farm Animals:
     • Micro animals are smaller in size and are often raised for eggs, honey, or small-scale meat production.
     • Examples include chickens, rabbits, and bees.
   • Key Differences:
     • Size and Scale: Macro animals require more space and resources, while micro animals can be raised in smaller spaces and often require less investment.
     • Production: Macro animals are often used for larger scale production, while micro animals are more suited for backyard or smallholder farming systems.

15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions (Multiple Choice):

1. Ruminants have a ______ chambered stomach.
   a) Two
   b) Three
   c) Four
   Answer: c
2. Non-ruminants primarily digest food in a ______ chamber.
   a) Two
   b) Three
   c) One
   Answer: c
3. An example of a ruminant is a ______.
   a) Pig
   b) Goat
   c) Chicken
   Answer: b
4. Horses are classified as ______.
   a) Ruminants
   b) Non-ruminants
   c) Micro animals
   Answer: b
5. Macro farm animals are typically ______ in size.
   a) Small
   b) Medium
   c) Large
   Answer: c
6. Bees are considered ______ farm animals.
   a) Macro
   b) Micro
   c) Ruminant
   Answer: b
7. The process of rumination involves ______.
   a) Eating food once
   b) Regurgitating and re-chewing food
   c) Absorbing nutrients
   Answer: b
8. Cattle are raised primarily for ______.
   a) Eggs
   b) Milk and meat
   c) Honey
   Answer: b
9. Chickens are an example of ______ farm animals.
   a) Macro
   b) Ruminants
   c) Micro
   Answer: c
10. Pigs are classified as ______.
    a) Ruminants
    b) Macro farm animals
    c) Micro farm animals
    Answer: b
11. Non-ruminants require ______ diets compared to ruminants.
    a) Higher-fiber
    b) Lower-fiber
    c) Similar-fiber
    Answer: b
12. Which of the following is a characteristic of micro farm animals?
    a) Larger size
    b) Requires more space
    c) Suitable for small spaces
    Answer: c
13. What type of farm animals are typically raised for labor?
    a) Micro
    b) Ruminants
    c) Insects
    Answer: b
14. Which farm animal is known for its honey production?
    a) Goat
    b) Cow
    c) Bee
    Answer: c
15. Distinguishing between ruminants and non-ruminants helps farmers to ______.
    a) Determine feed types
    b) Identify their favorite animals
    c) Improve animal appearance
    Answer: a

15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) with Answers:

1. What are the main differences between ruminants and non-ruminants?
   Ruminants have multi-chambered stomachs and can digest fibrous plants, while non-ruminants have single-chambered stomachs and require more concentrated feeds.
2. Can you provide examples of ruminant animals?
   Examples include cattle, sheep, goats, and deer.
3. What is rumination?
   Rumination is the process by which ruminants regurgitate and re-chew their food for better digestion.
4. How do non-ruminants digest their food?
   Non-ruminants digest food in a single-chambered stomach without regurgitation.
5. What are macro farm animals?
   Macro farm animals are larger animals raised for significant production of meat, milk, or labor. Examples include cattle and pigs.
6. What are micro farm animals?
   Micro farm animals are smaller animals raised for eggs, honey, or small-scale meat production. Examples include chickens and rabbits.
7. Why is it important to distinguish between macro and micro farm animals?
   Understanding these classifications helps farmers make informed decisions about space, resources, and production goals.
8. Which classification of animals typically requires more space?
   Macro farm animals typically require more space compared to micro farm animals.
9. How do ruminants benefit farmers?
   Ruminants contribute to food production, soil fertility, and can also be used for labor.
10. What is one advantage of raising micro farm animals?
    Micro farm animals can be raised in limited space and are suitable for smallholder farming.
11. Do macro farm animals require more care than micro farm animals?
    Generally, yes, macro farm animals often require more care and management due to their size and production needs.
12. How does the digestive process differ between ruminants and non-ruminants?
    Ruminants have a more complex digestive process involving fermentation and rumination, while non-ruminants digest food in a simpler, faster manner.
13. Can non-ruminants survive on high-fiber diets?
    No, non-ruminants cannot efficiently digest high-fiber diets as ruminants can.
14. Why are bees classified as micro farm animals?
    Bees are smaller in size and are primarily raised for honey production and pollination.
15. What role do farm animals play in sustainable agriculture?
    Farm animals contribute to soil health, provide food, and support biodiversity in agricultural systems.

10 Evaluation Questions:

1. Define ruminants and provide two examples.
2. Explain the digestive process of non-ruminants.
3. List three characteristics that distinguish macro farm animals from micro farm animals.
4. What is the significance of rumination in ruminants?
5. Provide an example of a micro farm animal and explain its role in farming.
6. Compare and contrast the nutritional needs of ruminants and non-ruminants.
7. How does the size of farm animals influence their farming practices?
8. Describe the differences in care required for macro versus micro farm animals.
9. Discuss the economic importance of both ruminants and non-ruminants in agriculture.
10. Explain how understanding animal classifications can improve farming efficiency.

Conclusion:

In this lesson, students learned to distinguish between ruminants and non-ruminants and between macro and micro farm animals. This knowledge is essential for effective animal husbandry and optimizing farming practices.