Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

203

Zebu

Cattle are one of the most numerous

farm animals, with about 1.355 billion in

the world. They were first used

to pull carts. Today some cattle

are bred for their meat (beef

breeds), others for their milk

(dairy breeds), and some for

both (dual-purpose breeds).

There are more than 1,000

breeds and types of cattle

worldwide. The zebu cattle

shown here have a hump

at the shoulders and a

long, narrow face. They were

originally from Southeast Asia

and are suited to hot climates.

Zebu are also used to pull plows.

InTenSIve reArIng

Some farm animals, such as pigs and chickens, are kept under

controlled conditions in huge hangarlike buildings. Chickens are

raised by the thousands in this way, for their meat or their eggs.

The food, temperature, and light in the building are controlled so

that each chicken lays up to 300 eggs each year. Dairy cattle are

milked on a large scale and, in some places, never go outside.

Pigs are kept in pig units like the one shown here. They are fed

an exact mixture of nutrients that makes them put on the most

weight in the least time. Some kinds of pigs gain more than

1.5 lb (0.7 kg) in weight each day. A pig may be sold for pork

when it is only three months old.

PIg

There are about 480 million pigs in Asia, and

another 500 million scattered around the world.

Some are allowed to roam freely to feed on

roots, worms, and household scraps; others are

kept inside buildings (see above). There are

hundreds of breeds of pigs, and some of the

largest weigh more than 450 lb (200 kg). Almost

every part of a pig can be eaten, including the

trotters, or feet. Pork is the name for fresh pig

meat; cured or preserved pig meat is called

bacon or ham.

goAT

The goat was one of the first animals to be

domesticated. goats feed on thorny bushes,

spiky grasses, and woody stems, and they can

climb up easily into the branches of small

trees to eat the greenery. More than 860

million goats are kept worldwide, often in

dry and mountainous regions. They are

used for their milk, meat, skins, and wool.

The main dairy breed is the Anglo-nubian,

which produces up to 1,200 pints (660 liters)

of milk each year.

Turkey

Today’s most common breed

of turkey is the broad

breasted White, which was

created by crossing the

White Holland and the

broad breasted bronze,

shown here. Turkeys

came originally from

north America.

When europeans

first traveled to

north America

in the 16th

century, they

domesticated

(tamed) turkeys

and took some

back to europe.

DuCkS AnD geeSe

Waterfowl such as ducks and geese are kept mainly

for their meat, especially in Southeast Asia. They

also provide fluffy down (underfeathers) for

stuffing mattresses, quilts, and clothing. geese

are good guards in the farmyard, beacause they

hiss at strangers. The most common egg-laying

waterfowl are Indian runner ducks, khaki

campbell ducks, and emden and

Chinese geese.

The Indian runner duck is kept in

large flocks and can move swiftly

because of its long legs, body shape,

and upright stance.

In many parts of the world,

people keep goats for their

milk, which is made into

cheese and yogurt.

The Toulouse goose is

used to produce foie gras.

Adult birds weigh more

than 28 lb (13 kg).

Male turkeys, or

toms, are often twice the

weight of the female hens.

Young turkeys are called poults.

Every November in

the US, millions of

turkeys are eaten

in celebration of

Thanksgiving.

Animal senses

birds

Farming

Farming, history of

grassland wildlife

Horses, zebras, and asses

Mountain wildlife

Find out more

FARM ANIMALS

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