Livestock Breeds and Their Characteristics for SS 1

Livestock Breeds

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain the meaning of breed;
2. identify the different types of livestock breeds in Nigeria.

Meaning of Breed and Breeding

A breed is a specific group of domestic animals within a species that share uniform, identifiable physical characteristics and behaviors which are passed down from one generation to the next.

These physical characteristics include body shape, size, coat colour, horn structure, and production capabilities such as milk yield, meat quality, or egg-laying capacity. When individuals of the same breed are mated, they produce offspring that closely resemble them in these traits.

Breeding is the science and practice of mating selected livestock animals to produce offspring with desirable traits, such as faster growth, disease resistance, or higher yield.

Understanding different breeds is essential in livestock farming. It allows farmers to select the most suitable animals for specific environmental conditions and production goals, ensuring maximum productivity and sustainability.

Breeds of Sheep

Sheep in Nigeria are reared primarily for meat, wool, and skins. They are classified into different breeds based on their physical appearance, size, and geographical distribution. The major breeds of sheep in Nigeria include:

Balami

The Balami is the largest breed of sheep in Nigeria. It is predominantly found in the dry northern regions of the country. The key physical characteristics of the Balami breed include:

1. A completely white coat.
2. A long, narrow body with long legs.
3. Large, pendulous (drooping) ears.
4. A convex face profile, often referred to as a “Roman nose”.
5. Horned males, while the females are usually polled (hornless).
6. A long, thin tail that reaches below the hocks.

Yankasa

The Yankasa is the most numerous and widely distributed sheep breed in Nigeria. It is a medium-sized breed found across the savannah zones. The key physical characteristics of the Yankasa breed include:

1. A white coat with distinct black patches around the eyes, muzzle, ears, and sometimes on the feet.
2. A moderately curved facial profile.
3. Semi-pendulous ears.
4. Strong, curved horns in rams (males), while ewes (females) are typically hornless.

West African Dwarf (WAD) Sheep

The West African Dwarf sheep is a small, hardy breed native to the humid forest zones of southern Nigeria. The key physical characteristics of the West African Dwarf sheep include:

1. A small body size with short, sturdy legs.
2. A coat colour that varies widely, including white, black, brown, or a mixture of these colours (piebald).
3. High resistance to trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness carried by tsetse flies), which is common in humid forest environments.
4. Short, horizontal ears.

Observe the visual comparison of the three major sheep breeds below.

Breeds of Goat

Goats are highly adaptable animals reared for meat, milk, and skins. The three main breeds of goats found in Nigeria are:

Red Sokoto

The Red Sokoto, also known as the Maradi goat, is the most popular breed in northern Nigeria. It is highly valued for its high-quality skin, which is used to produce premium “Morocco leather” in the global market. The key physical characteristics of the Red Sokoto include:

1. A uniform deep red or reddish-brown coat.
2. A medium-sized, compact body.
3. Short, backward-pointing horns in both males and females.
4. Short, horizontal ears.

Sahel Goat

The Sahel goat, also known as the desert goat, is adapted to the arid and semi-arid regions of northern Nigeria. It is built for walking long distances in search of pasture. The key physical characteristics of the Sahel goat include:

1. A tall, narrow body with long, thin legs.
2. A short, fine coat with varied colours, including white, cream, black, brown, or spotted patterns.
3. Long, drooping ears.
4. A high tolerance for dry, hot climates and water scarcity.

West African Dwarf (WAD) Goat

The West African Dwarf goat is a small, stocky breed found in the humid southern parts of Nigeria. The key physical characteristics of the West African Dwarf goat include:

1. A short, compact body with very short legs.
2. A wide variety of coat colours, ranging from black and brown to white and multi-coloured patterns.
3. High resistance to tsetse fly-borne trypanosomiasis.
4. An ability to thrive on low-quality forage and browse.

Observe the visual comparison of the three major goat breeds below.

Breeds of Cattle

Cattle are the primary source of beef and milk in Nigeria. They are broadly classified into humped (zebu) types, which are common in the north, and humpless (taurine) types, which are common in the south. The major breeds include:

Bunaji (White Fulani)

The Bunaji is the most widely distributed cattle breed in Nigeria, kept primarily by nomadic pastoralists. It is a dual-purpose breed used for both milk and meat production. The key physical characteristics of the Bunaji include:

1. A predominantly white coat with black markings on the ears, eyes, muzzle, hooves, and tail tip.
2. Long, lyre-shaped horns that curve outwards and upwards.
3. A well-developed thoracic hump in both males and females.
4. A medium-to-large body size.

Sokoto Gudali

The Sokoto Gudali is a large, heavy breed of cattle found mainly in northwestern Nigeria. It is primarily used for beef production and draft work. The key physical characteristics of the Sokoto Gudali include:

1. A uniform light grey, cream, or dun coat colour.
2. Very short, thick horns, which are sometimes absent (polled).
3. A prominent, fleshy hump.
4. Deep, wide bodies with short, strong legs.
5. A docile temperament.

Muturu

The Muturu is a small, humpless breed of cattle native to the forest and guinea savannah zones of southern and central Nigeria. The key physical characteristics of the Muturu include:

1. A very small, compact body with short legs.
2. A complete absence of a hump (humpless).
3. A dark brown or black coat, sometimes with white patches on the belly.
4. Short, sturdy horns.
5. High resistance to trypanosomiasis and tick-borne diseases.

Observe the visual comparison of the three major cattle breeds below.

Breeds of Poultry

Poultry breeds are selected based on their utility, primarily divided into meat producers (broilers) and egg producers (layers). The major commercial breeds in Nigeria include:

Arbor Acre

The Arbor Acre is a highly popular commercial broiler breed reared specifically for meat production. The key physical characteristics of the Arbor Acre include:

1. Pure white feathers.
2. A broad, muscular breast and thick thighs.
3. A rapid growth rate, reaching market weight within six to eight weeks.
4. Yellow skin, shanks, and beak.

White Leghorn

The White Leghorn is a world-famous commercial breed reared strictly for egg production. The key physical characteristics of the White Leghorn include:

1. A lightweight, slender body build.
2. Pure white feathers.
3. A large, single red comb that often drapes to one side.
4. An active, nervous temperament.
5. High feed conversion efficiency, producing a large number of white-shelled eggs.

Observe the visual comparison of the two poultry breeds below.

Breeds of Rabbits

Rabbits are reared for meat, fur, and laboratory research. They are highly prolific and convert feed efficiently into meat. The two major breeds in Nigeria are:

New Zealand White

The New Zealand White is the most popular commercial meat rabbit breed in Nigeria. The key physical characteristics of the New Zealand White include:

1. A completely white coat of dense fur.
2. Bright pink or red eyes (albinism).
3. A large, broad, and muscular body with a well-rounded back.
4. Upright, medium-sized ears.

Californian

The Californian rabbit is another excellent meat and fur breed, developed by crossing New Zealand Whites with other breeds. The key physical characteristics of the Californian rabbit include:

1. A white body coat with distinct dark brown or black markings on the nose, ears, feet, and tail.
2. Pink or red eyes.
3. A broad, muscular body similar to the New Zealand White.
4. Upright ears with dark coloration.

Observe the visual comparison of the two rabbit breeds below.

Breeds of Swine (Pigs)

Pigs are highly prolific animals reared primarily for pork production. The major breeds of swine in Nigeria include:

Duroc

The Duroc is a popular sire breed used in commercial pig production to improve growth rate and carcass quality. The key physical characteristics of the Duroc include:

1. A coat colour ranging from light golden-yellow to deep reddish-brown.
2. Medium-sized, droopy ears that bend forward over the eyes.
3. A slightly dished face.
4. A highly muscular, compact body with a slightly arched back.

Yorkshire (Large White)

The Yorkshire, commonly known as the Large White, is a highly popular maternal breed valued for its large litter size and excellent mothering ability. The key physical characteristics of the Yorkshire include:

1. A completely white skin and hair coat.
2. Large, erect ears that point upwards and forwards.
3. A long, deep body with a straight back.
4. A slightly dished face.

Observe the visual comparison of the two swine breeds below.

Summary of Livestock Breeds and Their Primary Uses

The table below summarizes the classification, origin type, and primary uses of the major livestock breeds discussed in this unit.

How to Identify Indigenous Livestock Breeds

This practical guide outlines the steps for identifying and documenting different indigenous livestock breeds during a field visit to a school farm, local livestock market, or commercial farm.

The required materials and tools are:

1. An appraisal checklist containing breed characteristics.
2. A field notebook and pen.
3. A camera or mobile device for taking reference photographs.
4. A visit guide containing safety instructions.

The identification procedure involves the following steps:

1. Approach the animal housing or holding pen quietly to avoid startling the livestock.
2. Observe the overall body size and height of the animal. Note whether it is large, medium, or dwarf.
3. Examine the head region. Check for the presence or absence of horns, the shape of the ears (erect, horizontal, or drooping), and the profile of the face (flat or convex).
4. Observe the back of the animal, specifically looking for the presence or absence of a hump (especially in cattle).
5. Identify the coat colour and markings on the skin, fur, or feathers.
6. Record all observed physical features in the appraisal checklist.
7. Compare the recorded features with the standard breed characteristics to determine the exact breed of the animal.
8. Take clear photographs of the animal from the side to document its body profile for future reference.

Important safety tips during livestock identification include:

1. Maintain a safe distance from large animals, especially horned cattle and protective mother animals.
2. Avoid sudden movements or loud noises that can cause animals to stampede or attack.
3. Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling or coming close to livestock.

Evaluation Exercises

Answer the following questions to review the concepts covered in this unit.

1. Explain the meaning of the term “breed” in livestock farming.
2. Explain what “breeding” means.
3. List three indigenous breeds of sheep found in Nigeria and state one identifying feature of each.
4. Identify the breed of goat that is highly valued for producing high-quality leather.
5. Distinguish between the Bunaji and Muturu breeds of cattle based on the presence of a hump and their geographical adaptation.
6. State the primary production purpose of the Arbor Acre poultry breed.
7. Enumerate three physical characteristics used to identify the Yorkshire breed of swine.