Small Animals - How to Purchase Animals
This lesson emphasizes the importance of obtaining
the right animal for the right purpose of its production.
Objective
The family or students will learn to recognize the different classes
or types of animals that exist in the market, and how to differentiate
them according to the type of production expected of them.
Preparation
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Obtain pictures of creole goats and pure race goats such as Saanen,
Alpine, or Nubia
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Obtain pictures of creole hens, medium weight hens, and light weight
hens
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Obtain pictures of creole chickens, and of 7- 8 week old broilers
so people can appreciate the advantages of the improved species
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Obtain pictures of New Zealand and Californian rabbits
Concepts to be taught
 Click on the magnifying glass of any
image for enlargement. |
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Use the best animal species for the weather conditions, food, land
and eating habits of the people who will consume it, when producing
milk. Also, consider the initial cost of purchasing the animals,
and how experienced the family is with handling like or similar
species.
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Use species that produce high amounts of eggs for the lowest possible
cost, and that resemble those that the family is used to. These
could be hen, duck or quail eggs.
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When producing meat, use those species that grow the fastest, that
have a better nutritional efficiency and that are part of the family’s
eating habits. The first alternative is chickens, then rabbits or
guinea pigs. In some place it will be fish or goats, and pigs in
other areas or conditions.
Introduction
Genetic and animal improvement research has been able to produce highly
specialized animals in some specific characteristic. That is how we
have animals specialized in the production of milk, meat, hair, wool,
leather, eggs, etc.
Unfortunately, the majority of the genes that intervene in factors
of production are mutually exclusive in such a way that today there
are no animals that are good for two types of production. For that reason
one should not attempt to obtain or maximize two types of production
with only one type of animal.
The main production objective, which is to find the most appropriate
animals, should be the main focus. These animals should adapt to the
climate and the available types of food.
Most of the common species in the human diet have been the object of
extensive genetic and improvement studies for many years. The milk industry
has developed specialized bovine species (Holstein, Brown Swiss, Ayrshire,
Guernsey, and Jersey), ovine species (Milkshafe) and caprine species
(Saanen, Tuggenburg, Alpine, Nubia and others). Egg producers have extraordinary
webfooted species, such as Khaki Campbell ducks that produce up to 365
eggs a year. Amongst the hen family, the Leghorn hen lays up to 270
eggs per year.
We have found in the meat production market that the most efficient
production method is through exploiting hybrid vigor, expressed in the
animals descendants who are the breeds two different races. This is
how chicken, pig, rabbit and a good amount of bovine meat consumed each
year around the world is commercially produced.
Concept #1: (Milk Production)
If after the necessary analysis of the availability of food, willingness
of the family to learn how to raise animals as well as the presence
of children in the family it is determined that the raising of goats
is recommendable, we will proceed to locate a place that raises milk-producing
goats in order to buy them. The goats must be young and preferably from
a pure race (#1). The race to be chosen will depend on the zone where
it will be raised. Saanen, Toggenburg or Alpine goats are very appropriate
for tropical and dry zones. Young animals refer to those less than one
year old, that have never given birth.
Many developing countries work with improved milking goats. This eases
the process of finding good quality goats in almost any place. Mixed
species should not be used for milk production. That slows the improvement
process. Pure race animals should be obtained and from them continue
the improvement and selection process (#2). Pure races require special
care, proper facilities and good nutrition, which is precisely what
the Benson Institute is trying to promote with the Family Self-Sufficiency
Program through advisement, credit and technical training.
The program has determined that two female goats can produce around
900 liters of goat milk every year (#3). The number of males in the
area will be reduced to the minimum. Two females and one male must be
used if only one family in the community works with goats. We will attempt
to guarantee a male for every 25 to 50 females in most of the cases.
It is not necessary to have one male for every female. A male can service
between 50 and100 females per year.
Concept #2: (Egg Production)
A family of seven can consume 2555 eggs a year (one egg daily per individual).
That is the object of raising hens in the Familiar Self-sufficiency
program. The egg’s biological value is of 96%. Only maternal milk, which
has a biological value of 98 %, surpasses the biological value of eggs.
The rest of the foods have a biological value below the egg’s value,
including cow or goat milk.
The rural family has produced eggs for hundreds of years, but the market
price and the lack of knowledge about their nutritional value, has caused
that eggs be sold for cash to cover other expenses most of the time.(#4)
The program proposes the raising of 12 high egg production hens (light
weight layers)(#5) of any of the lines available in the
long horn race (#6). The reason for using light weight laying
hens is their higher profitability over the medium weight
hens. If we consider that light weight laying hens consume
around 105 g of food per day and produce around 290 eggs
per year compared to the best medium weight hens which consume
135 g of food per day and produce 260 eggs per year. When
comparing both types of poultry, we noticed that light weight
laying hens consume 11 kg less of food and produce 30 more
eggs per year per hen. Under such a delicate circumstances
as those of farmers from developing countries, we cannot
afford to waste resources. The program’s mission is to provide
farmers with the adequate tools so they can rationally exploit
their poultry and obtain the maximum benefit possible(#7).
See image #8 for labeled parts of a hen.
The purchase of the hens will be done in the town nearest to the community.
The town will have to have a good reputation so we can guarantee the
poultry’s quality. There are two types of egg laying hen distributors:
some sell the chicks when they are one day old, other sell them when
the chicks are 18 to 22 weeks old, or ready to start laying eggs.
One day old chicks require too much care and are therefore a bit difficult
for the farmers to handle. We suggest that they buy hens ready to start
laying eggs (22 weeks old). Another more viable alternative is that
the chicks be raised in the school or sponsoring university until they
are 22 weeks old. They then can be sold to the farmers at cost. This
alternative, also offers the opportunity for the students to have practical
experience at handling poultry. Roosters have no place in egg production.
Concept #3: (Meat Production)
In general, we can say that the end product obtained from raising any
kind of animal is meat (#9). Meat constitutes a very important part
of the human diet and has been replaced by other substitutes on the
table of many low income rural farmers. One of the main reason for this
change is high price. Prices have forced farmers to sell their animals
for money. Humans consume meat not only to fulfill their nutritional
needs, but also for the satisfaction that eating meat products. Economically
developed societies consume much more meat than poorer societies, who
base their diets on grains and vegetables. It is not absolutely necessary
that men have meat in their diets. It is possible to balance the human
diet based on vegetables, fruits and grains. But it is easier, cheaper
and more pleasant for the senses to eat meat.
The Family Self-sufficiency model proposed by the Benson Institute
includes meat production through chicken, rabbits, guinea pigs, fish,
and pigs on special circumstances.(#10)
The first option is chicken production. The reason is that they are
simply more efficient at transforming foods produced in the farm into
high quality meat at a relatively cost. All these transformation occurs
in nearly 7 to 8 weeks.
High genetic quality hybrid chickens can easily be found in most developing
countries.
The chickens must be purchased in a known place with a good reputation.
We frequently find people selling low cost chickens in the markets.
At first sight these chickens can look very similar to those hybrid
chickens, but that in reality is only true on few occasions. Those chickens
have generally been rejected by some big company dedicated to raising
egg laying hens. Those companies only want the females and discard the
males as they have no egg laying future. On other occasions, those chickens
have been rejected by some broiler company as they did not meet the
size and vitality qualities at birth.
To begin with the chicken meat production with the Self-sufficiency
Program, we must make sure that the animals that have been bought are
top quality. Only then can we guarantee production. The model includes
adequate diets and housing requirements for first class production,
and will only fail if we are not successful at the time we select the
animals.
Many places are not fit for the raising of chickens because of weather,
unavailability of improved species, or lack of appropriate
food. Under these conditions, meat production will have
to be done using other species that have good adaptation
for the area. One of the these species is the rabbit(#11).
See image #12 for labeled parts of a rabbit.
Rabbits can easily transform food left over from the harvests into
high quality meat. They can do this in extremely cold weather where
the raising of chickens can not easily be done. To produce rabbit meat,
we must also make sure to start the process with top of the line rabbits.
The most profitable and highest meat yielding species of rabbits are
the New Zealand and the Californian (#13).
Either of these species can produce enough young to feed a family of
seven. Starting with four females and one male we can produce a minimum
of 320 pounds of meat per year.
Once we have determined the race of rabbits to be used, we will then
proceed to locate a nursery. The nursery will preferably be located
in an area geographically similar to the one where the animals will
be raised. We will also ensure that the animals come from a pure race
and that the nursery is appropriately managed. It is necessary to make
sure that the hygiene in the cages and food handling areas is well maintained.
The animals’ state of health will be observed. It is very important
to check for mites inside the rabbit’s ear. The feet and paws should
also be checked for scabies and infections. If the cages are made out
of chicken wire (which would be the ideal) it will not be necessary
to check for lice or flies.
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| #14 |
To summarize, we must make sure that when buying rabbits, these will
not be disease or parasite carriers, which could jeopardize the raiser.
It is also extremely important that once the animals have been bought
they be under a strict quarantine before they come in contact with other
rabbits of their own species to prevent any contagious diseases from
spreading (#14).
Conclusion
We must consider that genetic quality plays a very important role in
the successful production of small animals . It will only be a waste
of money to attempt an implementation of the Benson Institute’s model
by using creole or mestizo animals. Farmers have been raising creole
animals for hundreds of years. That is one of the reasons why they are
still very poor. If we really want to help them progress and come out
of poverty we must offer them the opportunity to produce high quality
animals. Better quality animals can be sold at a better price and will
also help farmers improve their nutrition. These goals will only be
possible by starting the raising of small animals based on pure race
animals with a proven productive quality.
List of figures for: How to Purchase Animals
(Click on the magnifying glass of any image for enlargement)
1. Drawing of pure breed goats.
2. Drawing of the types of goats for the
tropical and dry zones.
3. Drawing of the milking process of a goat.
4. Drawing of pure breed hens.
5. Drawing of egg-laying hen.
6. Drawing of the leghorn hen.
7. Drawing of good & bad egg-laying hens.
8. Drawing of labeled parts of a hen.
9. Drawing of the products from a goat.
10. Drawing of small animals for meat production.
11. Drawing of the rabbit.
12. Drawing of labeled parts of a rabbit.
13. Drawing of the New Zealand and Californian
rabbits.
14. Drawing of the rabbit quarters.
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