Animal Science

Animal Science Cover
Animal Science
BSA Supply No. 35854

Cattle, horses, sheep, goats, hogs, poultry, and other domesticated animals are important to people for many reasons. They supply us with food and clothing, we use them for recreational purposes, they work with and for us.

Requirements

  1. Name four breeds of livestock in each of the following classifications: horses, dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, hogs. Tell their principal uses and merits. Tell where the breeds originated.
  2. List five diseases that afflict the animals in each of the classifications in requirement 1. Also list five diseases of poultry. Describe the symptoms of each disease and explain how each is contracted and how it could be prevented.
  3. Explain the major differences in the digestive systems of ruminants, horses, pigs, and poultry. Explain how the differences in structure and function among these four types of digestive tracts affect the nutritional management of these species.
  4. Select one type of animal--beef cow, dairy cow, horse, sheep, goat, or hog, or a poultry flock--and tell how you would properly manage it. Include in your discussion nutritional (feeding) concerns, housing, disease prevention, waste control/removal, and breeding programs if appropriate.
  5. Explain the importance of setting clear goals for any animal breeding program. Tell how purebred lines of animals are produced. Explain the practice of crossbreeding and the value of this practice.
  6. Complete ONE of the following options:

Beef Cattle Option

  1. Visit a farm or ranch where beef cattle are produced under any of these systems:
    1. Feeding market cattle for harvest
    2. Cow/calf operation, producing cattle for sale to commercial feeders
    3. Producing purebred cattle for sale as breeding stock to othersTalk with the operator to learn how the cattle were handled, fed, weighed, and shipped. Describe what you saw and explain what you learned. If you cannot visit a cattle ranch or farm, view a video from a breed association, or research the Internet (with your parent's permission) for information on beef cattle production. Tell about your findings.
    4. Sketch a plan of a feedlot to include its forage and grain storage facilities, and loading chute for 30 or more fattening steers; or sketch a corral plan with cutting and loading chutes for handling 50 or more beef cows and their calves at one time.
    5. Make a sketch showing the principal wholesale and retail cuts of beef. Tell about the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) dual grading system of beef. Tell the basis of each grade in each system.
    6. Define the following terms: bull, steer, bullock, cow, heifer, freemartin, heiferette, calf.

    Dairying Option

    1. Tell how a cow or a goat converts forage and grain into milk. Explain the differences in feeds typically used for dairy cows versus those fed to beef cows.
    2. Make a chart showing the components in cow's milk or goat's milk. Chart the amount of each component.
    3. Explain the requirements for producing grade A milk. Tell how and why milk is pasteurized.
    4. Tell about the kinds of equipment used for milking and the sanitation standards that must be met on dairy farms.
    5. Define the following terms: bull, cow, steer, heifer, springer; buck, doe, kid.
    6. Visit a dairy farm or a milk processing plant. Describe what you saw and explain what you learned. If you cannot visit a dairy farm or processing plant, view a video from a breed or dairy association, or research the Internet (with your parent's permission) for information on dairying. Tell about your findings.

    Horse Option

    1. Make a sketch of a useful saddle horse barn and exercise yard.
    2. Tell about the history of the horse and the benefits it has brought to people. Using the four breeds of horses you chose in requirement 1, discuss the different special uses of each breed.
    3. Define the following terms: mare, stallion, gelding, foal, colt, filly; mustang, quarter horse, draft horse, pacer, trotter; pinto, calico, palomino, roan, overo, tobiano.
    4. Visit a horse farm. Describe what you saw and explain what you learned. If you cannot visit a horse farm, view a video from a breed association, or research the Internet (with your parent's permission) for information on horses. Tell about your findings.
    5. Outline the proper feeding of a horse doing light work. Explain why the amount and kind of feed will change according to the kind of horse and the work it does. Describe what colic is, what can cause it, and its symptoms.

    Sheep Option

    1. Make a sketch of a live lamb. Show the location of the various wholesale and retail cuts.
    2. Discuss how wools are sorted and graded.
    3. Do ONE of the following:
      1. Raise a lamb from weaning to market weight. Keep records of feed intake, weight gains, medication, vaccination, and mortality. Present your records for review by your counselor.
      2. Visit a farm or ranch where sheep are raised. Describe what you saw and explain what you learned. If you cannot visit a sheep farm or ranch, view a video from a breed association, or research the Internet (with your parent's permission) for information on sheep. Tell about your findings.
      3. Describe some differences between the production of purebred and commercial lambs. Then select two breeds that would be appropriate for the production of crossbred market lambs in your region. Identify which breed the ram should be.
      4. Define the following terms: wether, ewe, ram, lamb.

      Hog Option

      1. Make a sketch showing the principal wholesale and retail cuts of pork. Tell about the recommended USDA grades of pork. Tell the basis for each grade.
      2. Outline in writing the proper feeding programs used from the breeding of a gilt or sow through the weaning of the litter. Discuss the feeding programs for the growth and finishing periods.
      3. Do ONE of the following:
        1. Raise a feeder pig from weaning to market weight. Keep records of feed intake, weight gains, medication, vaccination, and mortality. Present your records for review by your counselor.
        2. Visit a farm where hogs are produced, or visit a packing plant handling hogs. Describe what you saw and explain what you learned. If you cannot visit a hog production unit or packing plant, view a video from a packer or processor, or research the Internet (with your parent's permission) for information on hogs. Tell about your findings.
        3. Define the following terms: gilt, sow, barrow, boar.

        Avian Option

        1. Make a sketch of a layer house or broiler house showing nests, roosts, feeders, waterers, and means of ventilation. Explain how insulation, ventilation, temperature controls, automatic lights, and other environmental controls are used to protect birds from heat, cold, and bad weather.
        2. Explain why overcrowding is dangerous for poultry flocks.
        3. Tell about the grading of eggs. Tell how broilers (fryers) are graded. Describe the classes of chicken meat.
        4. Do ONE of the following:
          1. Manage an egg-producing flock for five months. Keep records of feed purchased, eggs sold, medication, vaccination, and mortality. Present your records for review by your counselor.
          2. Raise 20 chicks from hatching. Keep records of feed intake, weight gains, medication, vaccination, and mortality. Present your records for review by your counselor.
          3. Visit a commercial avian production facility. Describe what you saw and explain what you learned. If you cannot visit a commercial facility, view a video from a poultry association, or research the Internet (with your parent's permission) for information on poultry production. Tell about your findings.
          4. Define the following terms: hen, rooster, chick, capon; tom, poult.
          1. Find out about three career opportunities in animal science. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.

          Resources

          Scouting Literature

          Bird Study, Environmental Science, Farm Mechanics, Horsemanship, Mammal Study, Plant Science, Public Health, Soil and Water Conservation, and Veterinary Medicine merit badge pamphlets

          Books

          • Belanger, Jerry. Storey's Guide to Raising Dairy Goats. Storey Books, 2000.
          • Damerow, Gail. Barnyard in Your Backyard: A Beginner's Guide to Raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Rabbits, Goats, Sheep, and Cows. Storey Books, 2002.
          • Dutson, Judith. Getting Your First Horse. Storey Books, 2003.
          • Ekarius, Carol, and Ken Ekarius. How to Build Animal Housing: 60 Plans for Coops, Hutches, Barns, Sheds, Pens, Nestboxes, Feeders, Stanchions, and Much More. Storey Books, 2004.
          • Hayes, Karen. Hands-On Horse Care. Trafalgar Square Press, 1997.
          • Haynes, N. Bruce. Keeping Livestock Healthy: A Veterinary Guide to Horses, Cattle, Pigs, Goats, and Sheep. Storey Books, 2001.
          • Klober, Kelly. Storey's Guide to Raising Pigs. Storey Books, 2000.
          • Peck-Whiting, Jeanie. Farm Animals: Your Guide to Raising Livestock. On the Farm Press, 2003.
          • Simmons, Paula, and Carol Ekarius. Storey's Guide to Raising Sheep. Storey Books, 2000.
          • Thomas, Heather Smith. Getting Started With Beef and Dairy Cattle. Storey Books, 2005.

          Organizations and Web Sites

          AgNIC (Agriculture Network Information Center)
          Web site: http://www.agnic.org

          Agricola (National Agricultural Library)
          Web site: http://agricola.nal.usda.gov

          Agriculture in the Classroom
          Web site: http://www.agclassroom.org

          Agripedia (Encyclopedia of Agriculture)
          Web site: http://www.ca.uky.edu/agripedia

          American Angus Association
          Telephone: 816-383-5100
          Web site: http://www.angus.org

          American Bantam Association
          Telephone: 973-383-6944
          Web site: http://www.bantamclub.com

          American Berkshire Association
          Telephone: 765-497-3618
          Web site: http://www.americanberkshire.com

          American Brahman Breeders Association
          Telephone: 713-349-0854
          Web site: http://www.brahman.org

          American Cheviot Sheep Society
          Telephone: 507-465-8474
          Web site: http://www.cheviots.org

          American Chianina Association
          Telephone: 816-431-2808
          Web site: http://www.chicattle.org

          American Corriedale Association
          Telephone: 618-676-1046
          Web site: http://www.americancorriedale.com

          American Dairy Goat Association
          Telephone: 828-286-3801
          Web site: http://www.adga.org

          American Delaine and Merino Record Association
          Telephone: 641-942-6402
          Web site: http://www.admra.org

          American Farm Bureau Federation
          600 Maryland Ave. SW, Suite 800
          Washington, DC 20024
          Telephone: 202-406-3600
          Web site: http://www.fb.org

          American Goat Society
          Telephone: 830-535-4247
          Web site: http://www.americangoatsociety.com

          American Guernsey Association
          Telephone: 614-864-2409
          Web site: http://www.usguernsey.com

          American Hampshire Sheep Association
          Telephone: 641-942-6402
          Web site: http://www.hampshires.com

          American Hereford Association
          Telephone: 816-842-3757
          Web site: http://www.hereford.org

          American-International Charolais Association
          Telephone: 816-464-5977
          Web site: http://www.charolaisusa.com

          American Jersey Cattle Association
          Telephone: 614-861-3636
          Web site: http://www.usjersey.com

          American Milking Shorthorn Society
          Telephone: 608-365-3332
          Web site: http://www.milkingshorthorn.com

          American Morgan Horse Association Inc.
          Telephone: 802-985-4944
          Web site: http://www.morganhorse.com

          American Paint Horse Association
          Telephone: 817-834-2742
          Web site: http://www.apha.com

          American Poultry Association
          Telephone: 513-598-4337
          Web site: http://www.amerpoultryassn.com

          American Quarter Horse Association
          Telephone: 806-376-4811
          Web site: http://www.aqha.com

          American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders Association
          Telephone: 806-894-3081
          Web site: http://rambouilletsheep.org

          American Saddlebred Horse Association
          Telephone: 859-259-2742
          Web site: http://www.asha.net

          American Sheep Industry Association
          Web site: http://www.sheepusa.org

          American Shetland Pony Club/American Miniature Horse Registry
          Telephone: 309-263-4044
          Web site: http://www.shetlandminiature.com

          American Shorthorn Association
          Telephone: 402-393-7200
          Web site: http://www.shorthorn.org

          American Simmental Association
          Telephone: 406-587-4531
          Web site: http://www.simmental.org

          American Southdown Breeders' Association
          Telephone: 325-429-6226
          Web site: http://www.southdownsheep.org

          Appaloosa Horse Club
          Telephone: 208-882-5578
          Web site: http://www.appaloosa.com

          Arabian Horse Association
          Telephone: 303-696-4500
          Web site: http://www.arabianhorses.org

          Ayrshire Breeders Association
          Telephone: 614-335-0020
          Web site: http://www.usayrshire.com

          Breeders' World
          Web site: http://www.breedersworld.com

          Breeds of Livestock
          Web site: http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds

          Brown Swiss Association
          Telephone: 608-365-4474
          Web site: http://www.brownswissusa.com

          Certified Pedigreed Swine
          (Chester White, Poland China, and Spotted Swine Breed Associations)
          Telephone: 309-691-0151
          Web site: http://www.cpsswine.com

          Columbia Sheep Breeders' Association of America
          Telephone: 740-482-2608
          Web site: http://www.columbiasheep.org

          Continental Dorset Club
          Telephone: 401-647-4676
          Web site: http://www.dorsets.com

          The Coop
          Web site: http://www.the-coop.org

          Educating About Agriculture
          Web site: http://www.ageducate.org

          Holstein Association
          Telephone: 802-254-4551
          Web site: http://www.holsteinusa.com

          National Cattlemen's Beef Association
          Web site: http://www.beef.org

          National 4-H Council
          7100 Connecticut Ave.
          Chevy Chase, MD 20815
          Telephone: 301-961-2800
          Web site: http://www.fourhcouncil.edu

          National FFA Organization
          National FFA Center
          6060 FFA Drive
          Indianapolis, IN 46268-0960
          Telephone: 317-802-6060
          Web site: http://www.ffa.org

          National Pork Producers Council
          Web site: http://www.nppc.org

          National Swine Registry
          Telephone: 765-463-3594
          Web site: http://www.nationalswine.com

          NetVet--Veterinary Resources
          Web site: http://netvet.wustl.edu/vet.htm

          North American Limousin Foundation
          Telephone: 303-220-1693
          Web site: http://www.nalf.org

          Pony of the Americas Club Inc.
          Telephone: 317-788-0107
          Web site: http://www.poac.org

          Poultry Science Virtual Library
          Web site: http://posc.tamu.edu /library/dother.html

          Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association
          Telephone: 931-359-1574
          Web site: http://www.twhbea.com

          U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
          1400 Independence Ave. SW
          Washington, DC 20250
          Telephone: 202-720-2791
          Web site: http://www.usda.gov

          United Suffolk Sheep Association
          Telephone: 435-563-6105
          Web site: http://u-s-s-a.org

          Virtual Livestock Library
          Web site: http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/library