Farm Animals in Ethiopia

Farm Animals in Ethiopia

• Farm animals are raised for human use, either for food or work
• Domestication is the conversion of wild animals to domestic use
• Domesticated animals are selectively bred to live alongside humans

Species vs. Breed

• Species is the largest group of animals capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring
• Breed is a specific group of animals within a species that are visibly similar in most characteristics, distinguishing them from other breeds

Farm Animals of Ethiopia

• Ethiopia has a variety of farm animals including: mammals (cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, mules), avian (chickens, ostriches, turkeys), and honeybees
• Nearly all livestock in Ethiopia are local breeds, some are hybrid, and others are exotic
• Cattle (Bos indicus/Bos taurus): widely distributed, Ethiopia has a high cattle population (75%) concentrated in the Highlands where smallholder mixed crop-livestock production is prevalent
• Bos indicus (humped cattle) are common in tropical countries, while Bos taurus (humped) are found in temperate zones
• Cattle are reared for meat, milk, and as draft animals, their hides are processed into leather, and manure is a by-product
• Cattle are ruminant herbivores and primarily feed on pasture, supplemented with industrial feeds in modern farming

Sheep (Ovis aries)

• Sheep belong to the family Bovidae and genus Ovis
• Over 200 breeds worldwide are recognized
• Sheep are raised for their meat, wool, and skin; some farmers keep sheep for milk
• In Ethiopia, the sheep population is estimated to vary between 23-24 million head, with 70-75% in the highlands
• Different types of sheep in Ethiopia are categorized by origin, tail type, coat type, and function
• Examples include Black head Somali, Adal, Arsi-bale, Tukur, and Horro

Goat (Capra hircus)

• Goats are important for their milk, meat, and skins
• Ethiopia has 17-20 million goats, with a higher population in low lands
• Goats are divided into four families: Nubian, Rift valley, Somali, and Small East African

Camel (Camelus dromedary/Camelus bactrianus)

• Camels are even-toed ungulates
• Two types of camels exist: Dromedary (one hump) and Bactrian (two humps)
• Camels are used as pack or saddle animals, for milk, meat, wool, and hides

Poultry (Gallus gallus domesticus)

• Chicken, ducks, guinea fowl, turkeys, and geese are common types
• Chickens are raised for eggs and meat
• Broilers are raised for meat, while layers are raised for eggs

Ruminants vs. Monogastrics

• Ruminants have a four-chambered stomach (rumen, reticulum, omasum, abomasum) and are primarily herbivores
• Monogastric animals have a single-compartment stomach and can eat a broader range of foods
• Ruminants are better at digesting cellulose, which is found in plants.

Animal Production Systems

• Extensive: Low inputs of labor, fertilizer and capital; animals rely heavily on natural pastures. Productivity is lower.
• Semi-intensive: Intermediate inputs and output; animals are raised in a managed environment.
• Intensive: High inputs and output; animals are often located near urban centers and are fed with high quality feeds, optimized for efficiency.

Animal Production Constraints

• Feed shortage
• Disease and parasites
• Socio-economic constraints; lack of services and facilities
• Inadequate feed supply in quality and quantity is the major constraint.
• Seasonality, and limited awareness of agro-industrial by-products as complementary feeds