Classification of farm animals based on their uses
The importance of classification of farm animals cannot be overemphasized; according to the rules of the Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations, it is necessary to calculate and classify domestic animals. So let`s take a look at the types of farm animals that you need to know!
What are farm animals?
Any animal farm serve plenty important purposes, including recreational and medicinal. For instance, there is a special medical therapy called hippotherapy, which involves the use of horses to help heal psychological wounds.
Another name for farm animals is livestock, and this term concerns only domestic animal. Examples of these animals are camels, sheep, goats, chicken, donkeys, horses, pigs, mules, etc. The variety of animal production depends on the country, climate and a lot of other characteristics.
Farm animals provide us with many kinds of products, for instance, the cows which we get milk and meat from. It should also be noted that different countries and regions have their own cultural traditions about rearing some kinds of animals. For instance, dogs are considered domestic animals for a majority of countries and are kept as pets to provide protection and entertainment to the family. However, in one of the Chinese provinces, dogs are reared to be eaten as food!
Therefore, the classification of farm animals based on their uses can be different depending on countries and regions. For instance, in some regions of Russia, reindeers can be reared for meat, milk, fur and horns.
Uses of farm animals
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It could be a little difficult to determine what animals can be considered farm animals because it tends to vary in every culture and country. It is generally assumed that farm animals should be kept in farms, but this is not totally true as farms also have different cultural meanings. For instance, Bedouins do not have farms, but they rear camels for meat, milk, fur and bones.
However, let`s take a look at the most popular livestock animals and the countries where you can find them!
Types of farm animals
1. Alpaca
Alpacas were domesticated about seven thousand years ago. They are reared for fiber and meat!
2. Addax
These are mammals which you can find in Egypt. They are reared for meat and hides.
3. Bali Cattle
It is a domestic animal reared for meat and milk.
4. Bison
It is a large animal that became domestic in the 19th century. It`s now reared for meat and leather.
5. Camel
This animal was domesticated six thousand years ago. It`s now used for camel hair, meat and milk.
6. Cattle
It is a standard farm animal for every country. They are reared for meat, milk and horns.
7. Capybara
You can find this animal in South America. It is reared for skin and meat.
8. Collared peccary
It is quite popular Brazil and reared for its hide, tusks and meat.
9. Deer
Deers are reared for meat, leather and antlers.
10. Donkey
This mammal is used as a draught and mount. It can be also killed for meat and skin.
11. Eland
It is a domestic animal which is reared for meat, hides, leather and horns.
12. Elk
It is a captive animal which can also used for meat, hides and leather.
13. Gayal
This type of animal is native to Southeast Asia. It`s reared for leather, meat, wool and milk.
14. Goat
The most famous farm animal. It can be used for various needs on a farm.
15. Horse
This domestic animal became a friend to people about six thousand years ago. For a lot of countries, it is used as a draught.
16. Mule
It is a symbiosis of horse and donkey. This animal is a perfect mount and draught!
17. Pig
Another domestic animal which you can see in almost every country of the world. It`s a perfect source of meat!
18. Sheep
This animal is reared mostly for its wool. Nevertheless, it is also a good source of meat!
19. Rabbit
Rabbits can be used as home pets, but they are also reared for their fur and meat.
20. Yak
Another big animal which can be used for various reasons. It`s a perfect source of meat, milk and fur. However, people from Nepal and Tibet use these animals as draughts and mounts.
21. Poultry
Poultry animals include goose, chicken, turkeys and other birds that can provide meat and eggs. Still, some people may keep these animals as pets!
Conclusion
Each animal from the list above can be kept as a home pet. Nevertheless, in most countries of the world they are are used for food and other products.
As at today, the human race has captured almost every animal in the world, that`s why you can find farms with exotic animals like crocodiles, zebras, reindeers and so on.
Nonetheless, there are some types of animals that can be found in farms all over the world, and they are the ones that can only be classified as farm animals!
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Source: Legit.ng