Exploring the Nutritional Classification of Non-Ruminant Farm Animals Animal Husbandry SS 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 3

Animal Husbandry SS 1 First Term Lesson Notes – Week 3

Subject:

Animal Husbandry

Class:

SS 1

Term:

First Term

Week:

3

Age:

14 – 16 years

Topic:

Classification of Farm Animals II

Sub-Topic:

Classification Based on Nutrition

1. Non-Ruminants
   a. Horses or Donkeys
   b. Snails
   c. Bees
   d. Grass Cutters

Duration:

40 minutes

Behavioral Objectives:

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

1. Define non-ruminants and explain their classification.
2. Identify examples of non-ruminant farm animals.
3. Describe the nutritional needs and feeding habits of non-ruminants.

Keywords:

• Non-ruminants
• Herbivores
• Omnivores
• Nutrition classification
• Digestive systems

Set Induction:

The teacher engages students by asking them to name various farm animals and categorizing them as either ruminants or non-ruminants, prompting a discussion about their dietary habits.

Entry Behavior:

Students have a foundational understanding of animal classification from the previous lesson.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Charts illustrating different non-ruminant farm animals
• Diagrams showing the digestive systems of horses and snails
• Videos on the farming of bees and grass cutters

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

Students have learned about ruminants and their characteristics. This lesson expands their knowledge by exploring non-ruminants and their unique 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 various non-ruminant animals
• Diagrams of digestive systems

Content:

Classification of Farm Animals II: Non-Ruminants

1. Non-Ruminants:
   • Non-ruminants have a single-chambered stomach and digest food differently than ruminants. They often require more concentrated feeds and cannot efficiently break down fibrous plant materials.

   a. Horses or Donkeys:

   • Horses and donkeys are herbivores and primarily consume grasses, hay, and grains. They have a large cecum for fermenting plant materials.
   • Importance: They are used for transportation, work, and recreational activities.

   b. Snails:

   • Snails are mollusks that feed on decaying plant matter, fruits, and vegetables. They require a moist environment and are often farmed for their meat (escargot).
   • Importance: Snails provide protein and are also used in cosmetics and medicine.

   c. Bees:

   • Bees are not traditionally classified as farm animals but play a crucial role in pollination and honey production. They primarily feed on nectar and pollen from flowers.
   • Importance: They contribute to biodiversity and are essential for the pollination of many crops.

   d. Grass Cutters (Thryonomys swinderianus):

   • Grass cutters are herbivorous rodents that primarily feed on grasses and leaves. They are also known as cane rats and are raised for their meat.
   • Importance: They are a source of protein and can be raised in backyard farming systems.

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

1. Non-ruminants have ______ chamber(s) in their stomach.
   a) Two
   b) Three
   c) One
   Answer: c
2. Horses and donkeys are primarily ______.
   a) Carnivores
   b) Herbivores
   c) Omnivores
   Answer: b
3. Snails are classified as ______.
   a) Insects
   b) Mollusks
   c) Mammals
   Answer: b
4. Bees primarily feed on ______ from flowers.
   a) Pollen
   b) Leaves
   c) Fruits
   Answer: a
5. Grass cutters are known for their ability to eat ______.
   a) Fruits
   b) Grasses
   c) Insects
   Answer: b
6. The digestive system of horses is adapted for ______.
   a) Fermenting fibrous foods
   b) Digesting meat
   c) Absorbing liquids
   Answer: a
7. Snails require a ______ environment for optimal growth.
   a) Dry
   b) Moist
   c) Cold
   Answer: b
8. The main product harvested from bees is ______.
   a) Milk
   b) Honey
   c) Wool
   Answer: b
9. Grass cutters are often raised for their ______.
   a) Fur
   b) Meat
   c) Milk
   Answer: b
10. Non-ruminants typically require a ______ diet compared to ruminants.
    a) Higher
    b) Lower
    c) Similar
    Answer: a
11. Horses are commonly used for ______.
    a) Pollination
    b) Transportation
    c) Snail farming
    Answer: b
12. Bees play a crucial role in ______.
    a) Soil fertility
    b) Pollination
    c) Meat production
    Answer: b
13. The main food source for snails is ______.
    a) Grains
    b) Decaying plant matter
    c) Animal products
    Answer: b
14. Grass cutters are also known as ______.
    a) Cane rats
    b) Marsh rabbits
    c) Field mice
    Answer: a
15. Non-ruminants like snails and grass cutters are important for ______.
    a) Transport
    b) Biodiversity
    c) Protein production
    Answer: c

15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) with Answers:

1. What are non-ruminants?
   Non-ruminants are animals with a single-chambered stomach that digest food differently than ruminants.
2. Can you name some examples of non-ruminant animals?
   Examples include horses, donkeys, snails, bees, and grass cutters.
3. How do horses and donkeys obtain their nutrients?
   They primarily consume grasses, hay, and grains, and their digestive system is adapted for breaking down fibrous food.
4. What do snails eat?
   Snails feed on decaying plant matter, fruits, and vegetables.
5. Why are bees important in agriculture?
   Bees are essential for pollination, which helps produce many fruits and vegetables.
6. What do grass cutters primarily eat?
   Grass cutters mainly feed on grasses and leaves.
7. What environment do snails thrive in?
   Snails require a moist environment to grow and reproduce effectively.
8. How are bees beneficial to ecosystems?
   They contribute to biodiversity by pollinating plants, which is crucial for food production.
9. What is the main product obtained from snails?
   Snails are farmed primarily for their meat, known as escargot.
10. What type of diet do non-ruminants require?
    Non-ruminants typically require a higher nutrient density in their diets compared to ruminants.
11. What is a key characteristic of the digestive system of non-ruminants?
    Non-ruminants have a single-chambered stomach that limits their ability to digest fibrous materials.
12. Are grass cutters considered traditional farm animals?
    Yes, grass cutters are often raised for their meat and are becoming popular in small-scale farming.
13. What role do horses play in agriculture?
    Horses are used for transportation, work, and recreational activities.
14. How do snails benefit the environment?
    Snails help in the decomposition of organic matter, enriching the soil.
15. What is the nutritional classification of bees?
    Bees are classified as omnivores, primarily feeding on nectar and pollen.

10 Evaluation Questions:

1. Define non-ruminants and provide two examples.
2. List three characteristics of horses and donkeys.
3. Explain the dietary needs of snails.
4. What role do bees play in agriculture?
5. Identify one importance of grass cutters in farming.
6. Describe how the digestive system of horses is adapted to their diet.
7. What do snails require for optimal growth?
8. List two types of feed suitable for non-ruminants.
9. How do bees contribute to biodiversity?
10. Explain why understanding animal classification is important for farmers.

Conclusion:

Understanding the classification of farm animals based on nutrition helps farmers make informed decisions about animal management and feed selection.