Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - JHS 3
ANIMAL PRODUCTION
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ANIMAL PRODUCTION
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Subject: Science
Class: JHS 3
Term: 1st Term
Week: 14
Grade code: B9.2.4.2.3
Strand code: 2
Sub-strand code: 4
Content standard code: B9.2.4.2
Indicator code: B9.2.4.2.3
Theme: CYCLES
Subtheme: ANIMAL PRODUCTION
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Animal production is the rearing of animals for food (meat, milk, eggs), income, manure, and other products. In Ghana, many homes keep poultry, goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits, or fish. Feeding is the most important daily activity in animal production because it affects growth rate, health, reproduction, and profit. Poor feeding leads to slow growth, diseases, low egg/milk production, and high mortality—especially in young animals. This lesson focuses on performing the feeding of domestic and commercial animals at different stages of growth and production using appropriate feeds and correct feeding procedures, as expected in the school farm or a community farm.
2.1 Key Terms Domestic animals: Animals kept by humans at home or small farms (e.g., local chickens, goats, sheep). Commercial animals: Animals raised mainly for business and high production (e.g., broilers, layers, pigs, dairy cattle). Feeding: Providing animals with the right quantity and quality of feed and water at the right time. Ration: The amount of feed given to an animal in 24 hours. Balanced ration: A ration containing the right nutrients in the right proportions for a particular animal and stage. Growth stage/production stage: Starter/young (chicks, kids, piglets) Grower (adolescents) Finisher (meat animals nearing market) Breeder/pregnant Lactating (milk production) Layer (egg production) 2.2 Nutrients and Why Animals Need Them Animals require: Carbohydrates (energy): For movement, body heat, growth. Sources: maize, cassava peels (properly dried), bran. Proteins (body building): For growth, muscle, milk, eggs. Sources: soybean meal, fish meal, groundnut cake, legumes. Fats/oils (energy): Concentrated energy; improves body condition. Vitamins and minerals: For immunity, bones, eggshell formation. Sources: premix, oyster shell, limestone, salt lick, green leaves. Water: Most important nutrient; needed for digestion, temperature control, milk production.
> Important: Water must be clean and always available, especially for poultry and lactating animals. 2.3 Types of Feed (with Ghanaian examples) Roughages (high fibre): Mainly for ruminants (goats, sheep, cattle). Examples: elephant grass, guinea grass, hay, crop residues (maize stover), browse plants (gliricidia, leucaena—used carefully). Concentrates (high energy/protein, low fibre): For fast growth and production. Examples: maize, wheat bran, rice bran, soybean meal, fish meal. Supplements: Added to improve nutrients lacking in the main feed. Examples: mineral lick, common salt (small amounts), limestone/oyster shell for layers, vitamin premix. Feed additives (optional): Improve health/performance. Examples: probiotics, coccidiostats (used under guidance). Water: Not optional. 2.4 Matching Feed to Animal Type (A) Ruminants (goats, sheep, cattle) Can digest roughage well due to rumen microbes. Need roughage as the base, plus concentrates when: young and growing fast, pregnant (late pregnancy), lactating, being fattened for market. (B) Non-ruminants (poultry, pigs, rabbits) Need more concentrates; cannot depend on roughage alone. Poultry require complete feed (starter/grower/layer/broiler finisher). Pigs require energy + protein; also need minerals and clean water. Rabbits need fibre but also concentrates; fresh forage must be clean and not wet with dew (to reduce diarrhoea risk). 2.5 Feeding at Different Stages (Core of the Indicator) 1) Young animals (Starter stage) Goal: rapid growth, strong immunity, low mortality. Chicks (0–8 weeks): Chick starter mash/crumbles; clean water; vitamins in water when stressed. Kids/lambs: Colostrum immediately after birth; then milk; introduce soft forage and small concentrate gradually. Piglets: Ensure colostrum; creep feed from about 1–2 weeks; clean water.
Key practice: Feed little but often; keep feeders clean; prevent chilling and contamination. 2) Grower stage Goal: steady growth, good body frame. Grower poultry: Grower mash; avoid too much energy that causes excess fat (especially future layers). Goats/sheep: Good pasture/forage + small concentrate if pasture is poor. Pigs: Grower ration with adequate protein. 3) Finisher / Fattening stage (meat production) Goal: weight gain and good carcass quality. Broilers: Broiler finisher feed; constant water. Pigs: Finisher ration; avoid sudden feed changes. Goats/sheep for market: More concentrate + quality forage. 4) Pregnant animals Goal: healthy mother and strong offspring. Increase quality feed in late pregnancy (last 6 weeks for goats/sheep). Avoid mouldy feed; ensure minerals. 5) Lactating animals (milk production) Goal: high milk yield, maintain body condition. Need extra energy, protein, and lots of water. Example: lactating goat—good forage + concentrate (e.g., maize bran + soybean meal) + minerals. 6) Layers (egg production) Goal: consistent egg laying and strong shells. Layer mash with calcium source (limestone/oyster shell). Provide feed regularly; ensure water always. Poor calcium → thin shells, breakages.
2.6 Worked Examples (Calculations and Practical Decisions) Example 1: Calculating daily feed for broilers A farmer has 20 broilers at finisher stage. Each bird eats about 150 g/day. Feed per bird per day = 150 g Number of birds = 20 Total feed/day = 150 g × 20 = 3000 g Convert to kg: 3000 g ÷ 1000 = 3.0 kg/day