Farm Animal Species in Ethiopia PDF

Chapter Four Introduction to Farm Animals 4.1. Farm animal species Farm animal species are raised for human use either for food or work functions. Domestication is the conversion of wild animals to domestic use. Domesticated animals are animals that have been selectively bred to live alongside hu...

Chapter Four Introduction to Farm Animals 4.1. Farm animal species Farm animal species are raised for human use either for food or work functions. Domestication is the conversion of wild animals to domestic use. Domesticated animals are animals that have been selectively bred to live alongside humans. **Do you know the difference between species and breed?** A species is a largest group of animals that is capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. A breed is a specific group of animals within a species that are visibly similar in most characteristics, which distinguish it from other breeds of the same species. A species is often composed of several breeds. **4.1.1. Farm Animals in Ethiopia and their description** Ethiopia has a huge resource of farm animals. They are composed of the mammalian, avian and honeybee species. Cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses and mules are the major farm animals in the mammalian category. The Avian category includes chicken, ostrich and turkey. Ostrich and turkey are not widely used in Ethiopia. Stinging honeybees are the most important bee species in the country. Nearly all of the livestock population of the country is local breed. Some are hybrid, and others are exotic breeds. **Cattle (Bos indicus/Bos taurus)** Cattle are widely distributed throughout the world because of their adaptation to a wide range of climatic conditions. In Africa, Ethiopia is the first in cattle population followed by Sudan and Nigeria. In Ethiopia 75 % of cattle population are found in the Highlands where smallholder mixed crop-livestock production system is the predominant production system and where 80  %  of human population resides. Over 90% of the farmers in the high lands use animal traction (especially oxen) in food crop production. Cattle are hoofed animals belong to the family Bovidae and genus Bos. ** **The word** "**Bos" is a Latin word for cattle*.** ***Both groups of cattle are thought to be originated from the now extinct wild cattle species called *Bos primigenius* and *Bojanus*.  The genus Bos has several species, two of the most common in Ethiopia are Bos indicus and Bos taurus. Bos indicus are humped cattle. They are commonly found in tropical countries. Bos taurus do not usually have humps and commonly found in temperate zones. Cattle are raised all over the world. There are over 1000 cattle breeds in the world. Cattle breeds serve multiple purposes. They are reared for meat, milk and use as draft animals. Their hides are processed into leather and manure is a by-products of cattle production. Cattle are ruminant. Their feeding habit is herbivore. Primarily, they feed on pasture. In modern farming, pasture is usually supplemented with industrially manufactured feeds. **Zoological classification of cattle**   Amongst the indigenous cattle breeds are Arsi, Begayit, Ogaden, Borena, Goffa, Arado, Nuer, Gurage, Jidu, Karayu/ Afar, Harar, Horro, Smada, Fogera, Mursi, Raya-Azebo, Adwa, Jem-Jem, Sheko, Ambo, Jijiga, Bale, Hammer, Medenece and Abergelle. **Sheep (Ovis aries)** Sheep (Ovis aries) belong to the family Bovidae and genus Ovis. Today, over 200 breeds of sheep are recognized worldwide. Sheep are raised for their meat, wool and skin. Some farmers also keep sheep for milk. Like cattle, sheep are ruminant herbivores. They feed on short fine grasses and coarse brushy weeds In Ethiopia the sheep population is estimated to vary between 23-24 million head.  About 70-75% of the sheep populations are found in high lands of the country whereby the rest of the population is found in low lands of the country. **Types of Sheep in Ethiopia** ** ** Different types of sheep have been identified in Ethiopia. The identification/ classification is based on  Origin or place of distribution Tail type Coat cover Function/use of sheep  Methods of classification of sheep breeds Sheep breeds indigenous to the tropics can be classified (grouped) according to:   Origin or place of distribution ( Adal, Menze, Arsi-Bbale \...)  Tail types ( fat rumped, fat tailed  or thin tailed)  Coat cover or their pelage ( hair or wool )  Function/ use of sheep  Thus there are five categories of indigenous sheep breeds in Africa:                  1. Fat-tailed hair                                                    3. Fat-rumped hair                  2. Fat-tailed wool                                                   4. Thin-tailed hair                  5. Thin-tailed wool types Based on the above identification/classification methods, the following types of sheep have been identified in Ethiopia 1\. Black head Somali (fat- rumped type) Also known as Ogaden and Berber black head. Distributed all over the Somali areas. They have got a large deposit of fat on the rump and at the base of the tail. They are polled. They have black head with white body and legs. The black area Part can vary from head to neck and in some cases to shoulders. They give little milk but are known for their meat and skin. 2\. Adal (fat-tailed) Mainly distributed in Danakil and the lower valley of Awash. They are polled, and have long lopped ears and the tail has a wide base. Usually they are white or reddish in colour They are known for their high quality meat 3\. Abyssinian (Ethiopian) (fat-tailed type) Found throughout the highland areas of the country Females are usually polled and males have various types of horns. They may have ruff or mane (a long hair on the back of the sheep's neck and shoulders). They have long legs. They are mostly brown colored but may be reddish, pale, black, white or mixed/patchy They are raised for meat and skin; milk yield is low, only sufficient for the lamb 4\. Menz (fat-tailed type) Distributed though out the Menz and Selale areas Males are usually horned, females are polled Mostly they are black and brown in colour Raised for wool production and meat -- shearing is done twice a year with a yield of 1-1.6kg. The wool is used for coarse blanket making. 5\. Arsi -- bale (fat-tailed type) They are distributed throughout the highland areas of Harerghe, Bale and Arsi. Males are horned; females are either polled or may have rudimentary horns. Colour varies from dark brown to grey with white spots. They are known for their meat & skin production. 6\. Tukur (fat -- tailed type) They are distributed in the Lasta district of Amhara (b/n Wollo and Tigray Provinces.) They are small in size, but have well developed fat tail. Their colour is white brown and pied (mixed) somehow hairy sheep. They are mainly kept for meat and skin, and milk yield is low. They may be also used for coarse wool production. 7\. Horro (thin tailed type) They are distributed in west Ethiopia (around the Horrogudru area, in wollega) Males have ruff (mane), they are mainly polled. Their colour is light brown. They are known for twin births. Hence they are mainly maintained for meat and skin. 8\. Washera (Dangla) sheep Found predominantly in West and East Gojam zones of the Amhara Region extending to the south of Lake Tana. Weigh about 2.8, 13.8 and 22.7 kg at birth, weaning and six months of age, respectively. The growth rate after weaning is comparable and even better than some other indigenous breeds. This indicates the potential of this breed for commercial mutton production for the local and export markets. Have high twinning rates **Goat (Capra hircus)** Goat (Capra hircus) is a hollow-horned mammal that belongs to the family Bovidae and genus Capra. There are over 300 distinct breeds of goats. Goats are important domestic animals in tropical livestock production systems. Goats are raised for their milk, meat and skins across much of the world. The **Angora breed** of goat is raised for its hair, which is used to make fabric or yarn called **mohair**. Goats are ruminant herbivores. They browse on shoots, twigs and leaves of brush plants. They also eat hay and grain-based complete feeds. In Ethiopia the goat population is estimated to vary between 17-20 million. About 70% of the goat populations are found in low lands of the country and the rest of the population is found in high lands of the country Methods of classification of goats breeds Goats of Ethiopia are classified into four families:             A. Nubian family             B. Rift valley family (The smaller rift valley family (Abergelle, Afar, Arsi-Bale and Woyto-Guji)             C. Somali family (Short eared Somali, Long eared Somali and Hararghe Highland)             D. Small east African family (West Highland, Keffa, Central Highland and West Low land) The classification is based on:  Origin: - place of geographical distribution  Body size: - like small, medium, or large  Ear shape: - long, short or lop  Function: - Meat, milk, hair, or fibre **Common goat breeds of Ethiopia** There are three major families of goats in Ethiopia:  Camels are even-toed ungulate animals. They belong to the family Camelidae and genus Camelus. There are two types of camels: the Dromedary and the Bactrian. The Dromedary camel (Camelus dromedary) has a single hump on its back. The Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus L.) has two separate humps. Camels have peculiar characteristics that help them adapt to the drier parts of the world. This is perhaps why they are often called "ships of the desert". They are recognized as pack or saddle animals. Camels provide us with milk, meat, wool and hides. Camels are pseudo-ruminant animals. This means they do not have a rumen. They are herbivores and eat tree leaves, **Poultry (Gallus gallus domesticus)** Chicken/fowl, duck, guinea fowl, turkey and geese are common types of poultry. Chicken is the most common type of poultry in many countries of the world. There are two types of domestic chickens. These are layers and broilers. Layers are raised for egg production. Broilers are kept for meat (usually slaughtered at 6-8 weeks). Chicken are omnivorous in feeding habit. Poultry in general are monogastric animals. This means that they have single compartment of stomach. They are dependent on less fibrous feeds; mostly grinded grains and mixed rations. Honey bee (Apis) Honey bees are known for pollination and honey production. A honey bee colony is composed of three types of bees. These are the worker, queen and drone. Each type has its own specific duty to perform in a colony. The workers and the queen are female. Queens are reproductive and are larger than the workers. The drones are male, have much larger compound eyes, and do not have stingers. Bees rely on the pollen and nectar of flowers as sources of their food. Fish Fish have served as important sources of food worldwide. In fish farming industry, fish are raised in enclosures and used for food. Fish farming is the fastest growing area of animal food production. **4.1.2. Ruminant and Monogastric Animals** Ruminant animals have a digestive system comprising of a four-chambered stomach. These animals are mainly herbivores, such as cows, sheep, and goats. They generally eat a large amount of roughage or fibre. The digestive system of ruminants is more efficient than that of the monogastric animals in breaking down food and absorbing nutrients. Digestive system of ruminants begin with the ingestion of feed into their mouth. The tongue and the teeth gather feed and break it down into smaller pieces in order to make it easier for the animal to digest. Food travels down the esophagus, which is a long tube that carries the feed from the mouth to the stomach. Ruminant animals have a digestive system comprised of a four-chambered stomach: the rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum. ƒ Rumen is the first and the largest compartment of the stomach of a ruminant animals. The rumen is a big fermentation vat that allows ruminants to digest cellulose, which is found in plants. Microorganisms, such as bacteria, are found inside the rumen and digest feed. Ruminants chew their feed numerous times through a process called regurgitation or rumination. ƒ Reticulum is the second compartment of the stomach. The reticulum is a part of the rumen and works to help digest foods. It is also called the honeycomb because it looks like a honeycomb made by bees. It is involved in rumination and the passage of food from the rumen to the omasum. The rumen and the reticulum are connected and work in concert and are therefore sometimes called the "reticulorumen". ƒ Omasum is the third chamber of the ruminant stomach. It is situated between the reticulum and the abomasum. The omasum also helps digest feed and squeezes water from the feed. It is called "many plies" because it has many folds. ƒ Abomasuminruminantsisthefourthcompartmentofaruminant's stomach. The abomasum is also called the true stomach. Here digestive juices are produced and help pass the feed into the small intestine and then into the large intestine and finally excreted from the body through the rectum or anus. Monogastric animals have a single stomach. Monogastric animals generally rely on feedstuffs that are easy to digest. Monogastrics animals have all types of food habit. Horses and poultry are examples of agricultural species that are monogastrics. Some descriptions are presented below. The Horse Digestive System The digestive system of horse begins with the ingestion of food into the mouth. The tongue and the teeth gather feed and break it down into smaller pieces in order to make it easier for the animal to digest. Food moves from the mouth into the esophagus and reach to the stomach. The stomach serves as a reservoir for short term storage and digestion where enzymes break down the feed components so that they may enter and be absorbed into the blood stream. Any remaining undigested food travels into the small intestine, where it is broken down further. After the small intestine has removed all available nutrients from the feed, the remaining material is passed into the cecum and finally excreted from the body through the rectum or anus. The Poultry Digestive System In chicken, food is taken in with the beak. A small bit of saliva and digestive enzymes are added as the food moves from the mouth into the esophagus. From the esophagus food moves to the crop, an expandable storage compartment located at the base of the chicken's neck, where it can remain for up to 12 hours. The food trickles from the crop into the bird's stomach where digestive enzymes are added to the mix and physical grinding of the food occurs. The stomach in chickens is subdivided into two parts, the proventriculus (glandular stomach) and the gizzard. The proventriculus is the organ producing acid and enzymes. The gizzard is the muscular stomach and pacemaker of gut motility. They are pivotal for digestion and gut health. From the gizzard, food passes into the small intestine, where nutrients are absorbed. The residue then passes through the ceca, a blind sack along the lower intestinal tract, where bacteria help break down undigested food. From the ceca, food moves to the large intestine, which absorbs water and dries out indigestible foods. This remaining residue passes through the cloaca where the chicken's urine (the white in chicken droppings) mixes with the waste. Both exit the chicken at the vent, the external opening of the cloaca 4.2. Importance of Animal Production Animal production (also called animal husbandry) is the keeping of farm animals for human use. Farm animals have several roles in the farm ecosystem. They are primarily reared for the production of consumable foods. The pulling power of draught horses, donkeys, camels and oxen is the other form of services obtained from farm animals. Some by-products are also used for different purposes such as clothing, feed, fertilizer or medicine. Beyond these functions, farm animals also play important economic, cultural and social roles in the society. ► Food and nutrition supply One essential purpose of keeping animals is food production and supply. Several animals convert high-fiber feeds into edible food that is consumed by humans. Many food products are derived from farm animals. More than thirty-four percent of global food protein supply comes from farm animals. Animal products are also rich sources of fats, minerals and vitamins. They are essential for a healthy and balanced diet. ► Livelihood and economy Animal production provides the livelihood for 65% of population in Ethiopia. Farm animals are an important source of income, and a way of capital accumulation and savings. Since 2018, the livestock sector has contributed 45 to 48% of the Agricultural Gross Domestic Product in Ethiopia. The sector also accounts for 16 to 19% of the total export earnings. ► Work The two most important categories of animal work are traction and transport. Some animals can be used to carry out farm operations. Bullocks and camel draw working machinery like ploughs, harrow and ridge. Some animals are involved in crop husbandry (e.g., seeding with drills) and crop processing (e.g., threshing). Camels, donkeys and horses are used to transport people and goods in many parts of the developing world. ► Clothing Animal by-products such as skin, wool and fur are used for the preparation of clothing. They can also be used for foot wear, bags and drum making. Feathers from poultry are used in the production of mattresses and the pillows. ► Raw materials Skins and wool from goats and sheep are used as raw materials for various traditional household products in the cottage industry. Animal bones and hooves are used for adhesives. Fats are used for candles and soap making. Chemical or liquid extractions from the internal organs of animals can also be used in the pharmaceutical industries to manufacture hormones and other kinds of drugs. ► Livestock feed Residues from slaughtered farm animals are used in the preparation of feed for mono-gastric animals. For example, bone meal, fish meal, blood meal and meat meal are good sources of protein and amino acids for optimal animal feeding. ► Socio-cultural roles Livestock ownership, especially ownership of cattle, is an index of social wealth. A person's wealth, in a traditional society, is usually assessed by the herd size owned by the individual. Moreover, livestock are kept for various socio-economic reasons. Savings and investment, security and insurance, stability, and social functions are examples of socio-economic reasons for keeping livestock. One social function of keeping livestock is for the fulfilment of a set of rituals and social obligations. Funerals, ritual slaughter and bride wealth of families and communities are examples of social functions that can be fulfilled by slaughtering animals. 4.3. Constraints in Animal Production and Their Mitigation Strategies Ethiopia has huge potential for animal production. However, some constraints have held back animal productivity. ► Feed shortage Inadequate feed supply, both in quantity and quality, is the major constraint affecting animal production in Ethiopia. The main feed resources are natural pastures and crop residues. These supply more than 90% of the annual feed. They have, however, poor feeding value in terms of crude protein (3 to 6%), energy value, minerals and digestibility. There is also a high seasonal variation. Feed resources are exhausted quickly in the dry season. Animals are maintained with less feed than their usual requirement. This affects their productivity and reproductive potential. The use of agro-industrial by-products (e.g., wheat bran, oil seed cakes and molasses) as feed is very limited. This is because of unavailability, expensiveness and lack of awareness of their importance as animal feed. Feed shortage in quantity can be mitigated through expanding commercial feed production (improved grasses, legumes and formulated feeds). The use of young and succulent grass (at 30% flowering stage), mixing mature grass with legumes, chopping matured grass and mixing it with molasses, etc. are some strategies in feed quality enhancement. ► Genetic factors The animal production system in Ethiopia can be characterized as a traditional management system. This system uses local breeds. The local breeds are well-adapted to the local conditions. They are resistant to many tropical diseases. They can survive and are produce on low quality feed resources. Indigenous animals are also known for their quality product in terms of yolk color, milk fat and meat taste. However, indigenous animals are usually considered poor in their productivity. Proper feeding, selecting those with good production, crossing with exotic breeds, etc. are recommended for successful genetic improvement. ► Animal diseases and parasites Disease is one major constraint in animal production. There are a lot of animal diseases in all agro-ecologies. Examples of such diseases are Anthrax, Blackleg, Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia and Newcastle diseases. These diseases affect the efficiency of animal productivity. Diseases also hamper export market development. Internal and external parasites are additional burdens of the sector. Proper feeding, vaccination and isolation of sick animals can be used as prevention mechanisms. Equally effective methods of preventing disease are treating sick animals, proper cleaning and management of the animals and their housing. ► Traditional production system Many farmers in Ethiopia use a traditional production system and have no knowledge of modern animal production. Draft animals are the major focus in mixed farming (i.e., farming both animals and crops on the same farm). Similarly, milk is the main focus in pastoral farming (keeping or grazing of animals). This means meat production is considered as by- product. Pastoral farmers consider their livestock as a means of capital accumulation. Livestock are sold if the need arises or when a shortage of feed and water occurs. This is due to the absence of entrepreneurial awareness. Recurrent capacity building, demonstrating the modern way of farming, availing credit facility and strong extension system are possible means of enhancing knowledge of modern animal production. ► Socio-economic constraints Socio-economic constraints are a lack of services and facilities that are vital for livestock development. Weak extension services, shortage of appropriate technologies and poor infrastructure are some examples of such constraints. There is a huge scarcity in electric power supply. Electricity is used to preserve perishable items such as meat, milk, drugs and vaccines. The scarcity in transport facilities hampers the flow of livestock and their products. A lack of credit and saving services is another challenge. Farmers have little or no access to training on modern animal rearing practices. There is also inadequate flow of market information. Examples of social constraint is that it is a taboo to eat goats' meat in some areas. Similarly, fish is not eaten in some parts of the country. Products of cross breed animals like egg, meat, milk, etc. are also not preferred for food in certain areas in the society. **4.4. Animal Production Systems** There are different types of livestock farming systems that are differentiated by the production processes that take place in each of them. They are generally classified as extensive, semi-intensive and intensive systems. 4.4.1. Extensive Production System Extensive farming system is an animal production system that uses small inputs of labour, fertilizers and capital relative to the land area being used. In livestock, extensive farming commonly refers to cattle, sheep and goat farming in areas with low agricultural productivity. Livestock types are the locally known ones. The feed depends on the condition of the climate. There is a severe shortage of pasture and fodder during the dry season. Compared to intensive farming, productivity in extensive farming tends to be much lower, growth rate slower, and time to maturity much longer. However, the system requires less labour per unit area. There are different forms of extensive production system (See Figure 4.12.). ► Pastoralism is an extreme example of extensive farming where herders move their animals to get pastures from occasional rainfall. Pastoralism allows communities to feed themselves in areas that do not support other forms of agriculture. Pastoralism is a livelihood system and a way of life for millions of citizens in Ethiopia. Feed and water shortage, poor market outlet, disease and number oriented livestock production are the major problems in the pastoral production system. Pastoralists are of two types.  Nomads have no permanent home, but move from place to place with their herd and flocks in search of water and feed for their animals. Movement is usually without much long-term planning. This is mainly found in arid and semi-arid areas. The production system is largely based on increasing animal number.  Transhumance have a permanent home to which they return each year, but some take the flocks and herds away from their permanent settlement for some part of the year. It is characterised by the seasonal and recurring movement of livestock across regions. Seasonal grazing areas and routes for livestock movement are fixed. The aim of this system is to make use of often distant pasture during rainy season and what remain after harvest around farm houses. ► Agro-pastoral system is a system in which livestock are important components of the farming system. Crops are produced both for subsistence and market. Livestock are kept for draft, sale and generation of other primary products (milk, meat and eggs). ► Ranching is the practice of raising large number of animals on a fenced land or has fixed boundaries. Ranching is another form of extensive system. There is relatively little labor input compared to the land and number of animals being farmed. Ranching is modern alternative to pastoralism. Ranchers commonly raise grazing animals such as cattle and sheep. They are raised for meat, dairy or wool. Function of livestock and products is to provide cash income and for making profit. ► Mixed farming is a system whereby both crops and livestock are raised on the same farm. In a mixed farming system, the farmer may keep cow for milk, goats and sheep for meat and wool, and grow food crops and hay to feed animals. Equines (horse, mule and donkey) are used for transport. While manure from the animal dungs serve as source of manure to improve the soil fertility. Natural pasture and crop residues (e.g., teff, barley and wheat straws) are the major feed resources. Mixed farming system is subsistence-oriented, which means that livestock/crop are produced for family consumption rather than for market. 4.4.2. Semi-intensive System Semi-intensive system is a type of animal production system that lies between the extensive and intensive systems. The system is characterized by high input and high output relative to extensive production system. This systems is usually located around the periphery of large towns. They are commonly practiced by small scale producers. In a semi-intensive system, animals are reared for family consumption but the surplus can be sold for income generation. This system can easily be intensified. 4.4.3. Intensive System Production systems in the intensive system are characterized by high inputs with high output. This is a modern farming system where livestock are raised at high stocking density with a relatively high inputs and operations. The production systems are market-oriented, which means that livestock is raised to be sold. The system often located near highly populated urban centers. The environment for the animals can be modified to suit all specialized breeds and production systems. The type of animals can be crossbred or exotic. Feed type is grown forage which can be used in cut and carry system. Feeding industrial by-products and balanced ration is another common practice in intensive farming system. In intensive system, the animals feed is usually supplemented with proteins, minerals and vitamins. Examples of intensive farming are pig production, broiler production, feedlot operations, and commercial dairy production. Meat, milk and eggs are the main products of the farms.