ANIMAL

PRODUCTION
EXPLORATORY COURSE
Grades 7 and Grade 8
•LESSON 1 – Use Farm Tools and
Equipment
•LESSON 2 – Perform Estimation and
Basic Calculation
•LESSON 3 – Interpret Plans and
Drawings
•LESSON 4 – Apply Safety Measures in
Farm Operation
Use Farm Tools and Equipment
 COMMON POULTRY AND LIVESTOCK
FARM TOOLS
•Farmers provide us with foods through
domesticated animals. Farmers work in rigorously
day in and day out: they wake up early in the
morning and go home late in the afternoon; work
during sunny and rainy days. Despite these working
conditions, farming is one of the many needed skills
in our country and the world. There are a lot of
opportunities for farmers here and abroad. In other
countries, Filipino farmers earn higher than what
ordinary employees receive in the Philippines.
•Farmers know the tools and equipment in the
farm and how to use them properly. Before
you perform some farm activities, determine
the areas of concern for safety. This lesson
will help you to identify various tasks on the
farm, determine the places for application of
safety measure, determine the appropriate
time for employing safety measures and
identify appropriate tools and equipment in
animal production
 GARDEN TOOLS
•Every small farm needs a flat
spade and a pointed spade for
digging. A good digging fork is a
multipurpose tool, used for
breaking up and turning soil in the
garden, harvesting, and for manure
cleanup around the barn.
 Spade
•1. Place the spade vertically onto the ground.
•2. Place your foot onto the spade edge and apply
pressure
evenly.
•3. Make sure to hold the grip with both hands tightly.
•4. Once the spade enters the ground vertically, the grip
should
•move away from the body a little bit which enforces the
leverage effect.
•5. Now pull the grip towards your body.
•6. Slide down one hand until you reach the
edge of the blade and hold it.
•7. Keep one hand on the grip while bending
your knees and slowly dig out the earth.
•8. Make sure to move calmly and
continuously.
•9. Slowly straighten your knees and move the
soil onto the spade blade.
 Shovel
• Uses: Shovels are used for cleaning ditches, digging and
moving soil and other granular material. They are also
used for leveling a base for sill rocks, steps,
• Tips
• Keeps the blade sharp, including most of the blade‘s
sides.
• Bend at the knees and rest the elbow of the hand holding
the forward end of the handle on the inside of his/her
knee. This is the power hand. The other hand holds the
end of the handle and serves as the guide hand.
• Swing from side to side, keeping the elbow on the knee,
cutting the soil with the side of the shovel that is opposite
the power hand and moving it laterally with the
continuation of the swing. For the right handed, the
power hand is the right hand and the right elbow rests on
the right knee. Cutting is done with the left edge of the
shovel and material is moved to the left. This technique
does not work when digging a deep hole or ditch. The
advantage is that the power comes mostly from the leg
muscles—not the back muscles.
• Bend from the knees instead of the waist to prevent back
injuries.
• Use leather globes to prevent blisters.
Do’s and Don’ts in Using a Shovel
• Make sure that the terrain you are digging is free
of cables and pipes
• If you are not sure, contact authorities for
location of cables and pipes prior to
•digging.
• Wear the proper protective clothing; safety
footwear, gloves, long pants if necessary.
• Allow for safe distance between people if you are
working with other people.
STEPS IN USING A SHOVEL
Keep feet wide apart. Place front foot close to
shovel
Put weight on front foot. Use leg to push shovel.
Shift weight to rear foot. Keep load close to body
Turn feet in direction of throw
DIGGING PROCEDURES:
•Push spade down using leg muscle
Slide load close to body. Ensure load is loose from
ground before lifting.
Rake. This correct use of the rake.
•Determine the destination area where the
leaves will go after collection, whether it's
in a bag or a curb, back into the garden as
mulch, or in a backyard compost pile.
•Decide how much time you can spend
raking each day or get help and divide up
the task.
•Get a rake and big plastic sheet
around 6 feet (2m) square. A large
sheet of burlap or an old drop
cloth or other sturdy fabric will
also work.
•Moving your feet, rake leaves
straight back and move with the
rake as you walk toward the back.
•Spread the plastic sheet on the ground
near the raking area. Pull the leaves over
to the plastic sheet with the help of the
rake. When it covers the whole sheet, take
one corner of the sheet and join it with the
corner diagonally across from it. Then do
the same with the other diagonal. Carry
the leaves to the destination area or dump
them into bags.
•Alternately, use a grass catcher
from a push mower or a large
dustpan designed for outdoor
collection. You'll make more,
smaller trips to wherever you're
collecting the leaves, but each trip
will be lighter to carry.
 Bolo
•is a large cutting tool of Filipino
origin similar to the machete, used
particularly in the jungles of
Indonesia, the Philippines, and in the
sugar fields of Cuba. The primary use
for the bolo is clearing vegetation,
whether for agriculture or during trail
blazing.
•The bolo is called an itak in
Tagalog while in Hiligaynon, the
blade is referred to as either a
binangon or a talibong.
 Types of Bolo
• 1. All-purpose bolo. Used for all sorts of odd jobs, including
breaking
• open coconuts.
• 2. Haras. Similar to a small scythe, it is used for cutting tall
grass.
• 3. Kutsilyo. The term comes from the Spanish word cuchillo,
meaning knife.
• Generally used to kill and bleed pigs during slaughter.
• 4. Bolo-guna. A bolo specifically shaped for digging out roots
and weeding.
•5. Garab. Used to harvest rice.
•6. Pinuti. Traditionally it is tipped in snake,
spider or scorpion venom and used for
•self-defense.
•7. Sundang. Supposedly used mainly to open
coconuts. The sundang, also called"tip bolo" or
itak, was a popular weapon of choice in the
revolution against the Spanish colonial
government and during the Philippine–
American War.
•Spading fork is used for
loosening the soil, digging
out root crops and turning
over the materials in a
compost heap.
•1. Use a cultivating fork to turn
compacted soil. The tines dig into
the soil, and the broad top is easy
to stand on with your foot to
provide additional motivation for
the soil to open.
•Incorporate organic compost,
manure or other amendments into
the soil with a cultivating fork.
Once compacted soil has been
opened, use the fork to stir in the
additives.
•3. Turn the compost pile with a cultivating fork.
The short handle makes lifting heavy plant
material much easier.
•4. Dig bulbs from a garden bed with a
cultivating fork. After bulbs have finished
blooming and the foliage dies back, dig them
from the bed with the fork. Unlike a shovel,
which may slice and damage the bulbs, a
cultivating fork will loosen the soil so that the
bulbs seem to pop to the surface.
 ELECTRIC TOOLS
•There are dozens of electric power
tools available at hardware and
home stores, but there are two
must-haves for any type of
around-the-farm construction
project:
ELECTRIC TOOLS
 HAND TOOLS
•Every farm needs a variety of hand tools.
•Companies like Sears (with its line of
Craftsman tools) and Snap-On (available
at many auto parts stores) make hand
tools that will last for generations, and
that come with a lifetime warranty to
prove it. First on the list of items to
purchase:
HAND TOOLS
 FENCING TOOLS
•Farms and fences go hand-in-hand. Plan on
purchasing fence-post driver. A driver is a heavy
iron tube that goes over the top of a T-post, and that
has handles on the side. You use it to pound the post
into the ground. A pair of fence pliers is a great, and
fairly inexpensive, specialty tool to have. We are
fans of electric fences—they are economical,
efficient and safe—but when you have an electric
fence, you need a fence tester.
FENCING TOOLS
 MISCELLANEOUS
•1. We always carry pocketknives when out
working, and a ―Leatherman‖ type is a
handy all-in-one tool.
•2. Heavy-duty flashlights are a must when
the lights go out during a heavy storm, or
when you need to tend to a livestock
emergency in the pasture at 2 am.
•3. Garden hoses are a must, but when
buying, purchase the longest and strongest
available (fall is a great time to find really
good buys on garden hoses).
•4. The last miscellaneous tool on the list is
a digging bar. It is for digging large rocks
out of the garden, construction sites, or
fence holes.
• Directions: Give the importance of using the following tool and
material for the small farm.
• 1. Bolo
• 2. Shovel
• 3. Electric tools
• 4. Hand tools
• 5. Fencing tool
• 6. Garden tool
• 7. Spading fork
• 8. Rake
• 9. Shovel
• 10. Bolo
EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES IN POULTRY
PRODUCTION
•Dropping board. These
fixtures should be provided
in the laying house to
facilitate collection of
manure
•Perches. These are horizontal
poles where birds can sit and
rest especially during night
time. Sufficient perches should
be constructed to prevent the
birds from crowding at night.
•Nest. Hens or layers lay their
eggs in a nest. A nest could be
either open or close. The nest
should be built on a partition or
end walls. It should be high
enough above the floor so that
the hens can work under them.
•Each nest should be from 10 to 14
inches square or more depending
upon the size of the breed; about 4
inches(20 centimeters high and with a
strip about 4 inches 10 centimeters)
high in the open side to retain the
nesting materials. It is advisable to
have dark nest
•Feeding troughs. These
should be constructed so as
to keep the hens from
scratching the feeds and
wasting it especially when
the birds are laying eggs.
•Feeders are of various types
and designs. For birds in
confinement or elevated floor
feeders, they make use of long
V- type feeder, the lip of which
is about 8 inches of the floor.
•The 1‖x 6‖ boards that make up
the sides of the feeder are set at
an angle of one half by two
inches board is nailed
perpendicular to the side to act
as lid and prevent the feeds
from being beaked out.
•Drinking troughs. Drinking jars
should be large and sufficient
enough to supply the water needs
of the birds for the whole day. It is
estimated that one kerosene can of
water approximately 29 litters is
enough for 100 layers the whole
day.
•Feed bins. These are
containers where feeds are
stored for future use. Feeds
can also be kept in petroleum
cans which are cheap, rat
proof, and if painted, will last
longer.
•Incubator - a device
for maintaining the
eggs of birds to allow
them to hatch.
•Brooder - A brooder is a heated
container that can have its
temperature controlled in at least
one area. It is used to confine
chicks with their feed and water
until they are 2 weeks old and
ready to go outside.
 EQUIPMENT IN
SWINE PRODUCTION
•1. Breeding crate. This is used when
breeding gilt to a large boar or a large
sow to a junior boar. The construction
of the breeding crate should be
durable enough to support the
additional weight of a boar. The gilt or
sow in heat is confined inside the
crate before the boar is allowed to
enter for mating.
•Farrowing crate or stall. Due
to its limited space, this
equipment minimizes the
movement of the sow and
reduces the possibility of death
of piglets due to crushing.
•3. The farrowing crate also prevents the
sow from eating feeds given to piglets
before weaning time. There are two types
of farrowing stalls: the detachable and the
permanent types. In the detachable type,
six pieces of galvanized iron pipes, three
inches in diameter, are needed. Three
pipes are installed on both sides of the pen
to form rails.
•The distance of the first rail above the
flooring should be 20 cm. while each of
the two rails must be 40 cm. high. All the
six rails must pass through the two sides
of the wall. To prevent the rails from
being removed when the sow rubs on the
rails, drill a hole on both ends and place
a lock. After weaning the piglets, the
rails can be removed from the pen.
•Piglets usually pile themselves against
the base of the wall and in the corner
of the pen. To avoid the sow from
crushing the piglets, guard rails placed
around the pen about eight to ten
inches from the wall and floor may
serve as farrowing crate. This is an
improvised farrowing crate.
Define the following:
• FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT IN POULTRY
PRODUCTION
• 1. Drooping board
• 2. Brooder
• 3. Feeding trough
• 4. Water trough
• 5. Incubator
• 6. Feed bin
• 7. Nest
 SAFETY PRACTICES DURING OPERATIONS OF
FARM TOOLS
• Safety -is the state of being "safe" (from French sauf), the
condition of being protected against physical, social, spiritual,
financial, political, emotional, occupational, psychological,
educational or other types or consequences of failure, damage,
error, accidents, harm or any other event which could be
considered non desirable. Safety can also be defined to be the
control of recognized hazards to achieve an acceptable level of
risk. This can take the form of being protected from the event or
from exposure to something that causes health or economical
losses. It can include protection of people or of possessions.
•1. Safety glasses: These prevent
dust, debris, wood shavings, shards
from fiberglass, etc. from getting
into the eyes. Safety glasses are one
of the most basic pieces of safety
equipment that must be used when
working with power tools.
•2. Protection for the ears: Power
tools can generate a lot of noise,
which may sound louder in the
cloistered environment of a
workshop; in order to minimize
damage to the ears, it is advisable
to wear earplugs.
•3. Knowing the right tools for the job:
It is important to know the right tools for
the job in order to avoid injury to oneself
and damage to the materials. To this end,
it is advisable to thoroughly read the
instruction manuals provided with the
equipment and get familiar with the
recommended safety precautions.
•4. Correct method of using tools:
Tools should not be carried by
their cords; tools that are not in
use should be disconnected; and
while handling a tool connected to
a power source, fingers should be
kept away from the on/off switch.
•5. The right clothes: Long hair should be
tied and loose clothing should be avoided.
Ideally, clothing that covers the entire body
should be worn and heavy gloves should be
used in order to avoid sharp implements and
splinters from hurting the hands. Masks
prevent inhalation of harmful minute particles
of the material that are being worked upon.
Steel-toed work boots and hard hats can also
be worn.
•6. Tool inspection: Power tools should not be
employed in wet environments and should
never be dipped in water; they should be
checked periodically for exposed wiring,
damaged plugs, and loose plug pins. Nickel
cords can be taped but if a cut appears to be
deep, a cord should be replaced. Tools that are
damaged or those that sound and feel
different when used should be checked and
repaired.
•7. Cleanliness in the work area: This should
be maintained because accumulated dust
particles in the air can ignite with a spark. Of
course, flammable liquids should be kept
covered and away from the place where
power tools are being used. An uncluttered
work area also makes it easy to maneuver the
power tool; often distractions caused by a
tangled cord can result in an accident.
•8. Care with particular tools:
Miter saws and table saws should
be used with a quickrelease clamp
and a wood push-through,
respectively. Extra care should be
taken while using nail guns and
power belt sanders.
•9. Keep tools in place: Power
tools should be returned to their
cabinets after use to prevent
them from being used by an
unauthorized and incapable
person.
•10. Lighting: It is important to
use proper lighting while
working with power tools,
particularly when working in
the basement and garage where
lighting may not be satisfactory.
RECORD KEEPING IN SWINE PRODUCTION
•Keeping accurate and up-to-date record is
very important in swine raising operations.
•It serves as future reference for improving
the business. It also helps you identify
animals to
•be culled and animals to be retained. It also
tells whether the project is gaining or
•Prices of feeds and hogs are unstable.
The demand for pork also penetrates.
Determining the best time of the year
to produce more hogs can be
accurately done through experience
and this can easily be predicted by
keeping records.
•The prime objective of a pig farmer is to
manage his farm in such a way that it is a
continuing source of income. In order to
achieve this he needs to implement a set of
good management measures and technical skills
through good record keeping and
administration. This makes it possible to control
and monitor production and reproduction
activities and to identify the results both
technical and financial.
 A. Identification Systems
•A means of animal identification is an
essential part of any record-keeping
system. The most common identification
systems are ear notching, tattooing and ear
tagging. Other identification systems
include, naming, color differences, ear
shapes, however this is only applicable for
small number of sows.
•Being able to identify the pigs is essential if
records are to be kept and for managing the pigs
accordingly. As long as you do not have large
numbers of pigs there is no problem
recognizing them and no need to worry about
marking them. However, when you have more
pigs it is necessary to introduce an
identification system. All the animals should be
marked when they still are young.
 1. Notching
•Notching involves cutting small pieces of skin
out of the edges of the ears. This is a very cheap
method of marking using only a very sharp
knife. The wounds made by the cutting should
be disinfected with iodine. By having different
patterns of the cuts, these can be used for the
identification of pigs.
Notching step-by-step:
• a. Catch the pig and secure it well.
• b. Clean the ears with methylated spirit.
• c. Clean the knife or pliers to be used for cutting with
methylated spirit.
• d. Cut off the edge of the ear flap on the part of the ear
that correspond to the number you want to give the pig
• e. Apply some disinfectant like iodine, healing oil or
wound spray to the cuts in the ear flap.
 What does record keeping involve?
•Good record keeping means noting down all
important details and events, in a simple and
clear manner. It can also be used to provide
and record information for future activities.
•To keep records, use a notebook or exercise
book. Dedicate a few pages for each pig, and
a few pages for what you buy and what you
sell.
•Other information should also be
marked on a calendar (sow
calendar), so that any necessary
preparation can start well in
advance (for example preparing
the farrowing pen for the sow).
•Records will help when comparing the
production or growth of different
animals.
•Records will indeed make it easier for
you to carry out day to day activities on
and for the pigs. When pigs are sick, you
may note down the symptoms, the
treatment, and whether the pig recovered
or not.
•This will improve your knowledge on
how to treat your animals
successfully. It will also help you to
keep track of expenses and incomes
from sales. This information will tell
you whether you are running a
profitable business or not.
 Records
• 1. Litter records
• Birth weight (1.5.kg is good)
• Weaning weight (18kg is good)
• 2. Dams record
• Number of piglets weaned per year (18 is good)
• 3. Marketing
• Age and weight
• 4. Conversion rate
• Pigs that gain more weight from a given amount of food.
• A satisfactory conversion ratio should be 1 kg live weight gain for 3
to 5 kg of feed.
•Simple and necessary record
should be kept for all piglets e.g.
date of birth, dam and sire record,
and weaning weight, feed type and
feed consumption, decrease etc.
•A good record keeping system will
permit constant surveillance and
monitoring of animal health and
performance. It will assist the farmer
in maintaining a steady flow of pigs
through his enterprise and in
identification of problem areas in the
production program.
 Considerations to be made while designing a
record keeping system
•The records should be as simple as
possible
• Records should be kept in a place where
they are readily accessible
• Transferring of information from one
record sheet to another should be
minimized
•The information that should be included in the
records varies with the type of operation being
run. A swine operation that is engaged in an
expensive breeding stock improvement program
will require more detailed individual pig
records than in a commercial operation
• Individual records are of value in culling non-
productive breeding stock and inselecting
replacement animals
 Individual records
• Sow identification
• Reproduction Records
• Date of first Estrus/heat, Breeding dates, Farrowing dates, Number of
pigs born alive and number born dead, Average birth weight (comments
on evenness of litter should be included) ,Abnormalities
• Weaning Records
• Weaning date, weaning weight
• Litter management records
• Dates of routine management practices e.g. Iron treatment, castration.
• Herd Records
•A record sheet summarizing important
aspects of herd production on weekly
or monthly basis should be kept. The
farmer can compare these records
which are a good measure of
production efficiency with previous
figures as well as with production
goals he has set for his production.
Herd records should include:
• Reproduction Records
• Females serviced (categorize as to the first and repeat
breeders).
• Litters farrowed
• Pigs born alive and number born dead
• Feed Consumed
• Either herd total or by ration i.e. dry sow, starter finisher
etc.
• Pigs marketed (sows, boars, market or breeding stock)
•Pigs added (breeding stock from
outside the herd)
• Market Information
•Age at marketing of at least a
sample number of pigs and their
weight
•Carcass indices of pigs marketed.
The data above can be used to compute the following
parameters:
•Average litter size born and weight
• Average litter size weaned and
weight
• Percentage of pigs born dead
• Percentage death loss in any category
•Repeat breeding as a percentage of the total breeding
• Feed conversion ratio (FCR), - Average daily gain
(ADG)
• Average market index
•The above indicators tell how well the production
programme is managed.
• The secret to the success of any record keeping
system is not the particular design
•of the system but rather regular manner in which the
records are kept.