Farm Animals By Paula Robinson

The Horse The horse is a beautiful animal. There are 150 different kinds found in all parts of the world. It comes in many colors and patterns. During the spring and summer, horses eat new grass on the ground. During fall and winter months, horses eat hay given to them by the farmer. Baby horses are called foals. Horses wear metal shoes to protect their hooves. Horses can live to be 25 years old.

Here is a horse video:

The Chickens The rooster is a boy. The hens are girls. Roosters are not always bigger than hens!. Chickens can live to be 15 years old- that is the age of High School boys and girls. Chickens eat worms, insects, seeds, grains, snails, slugs, fruits, vegetables and many other foods. There are 175 kinds of chickens. Hens can lay 1 egg every 24 hours. Chicken eggs come in different colors like white, brown, blue or bluish green and pink. Most chickens will stop laying eggs when the weather is cold. They will start laying when it gets warmer again. Baby chickens are called chicks.

Here is a chicken video:

The Sheep The sheep is covered in fleece. The fleece is used to make wool. In winter, sometimes we wear wool sweaters. Sheep can be black or white, or both. Sheep can live to be seven years old. Baby sheep are lambs. Lambs can find their mommy by listening to the sound she makes. Can you find your mommy this way?

Here is video of sheep:

The Turkey The turkey is the largest bird on the farm. The male turkey is called Tom. The female is called a hen, and the baby is called a poult. A young male is called Jake while a young female is called Jenny. The male turkey has a long wattle at the base of the bill and additional wattles on the neck. Turkeys feed on insects, plants, corn, wheat and seeds. The male will raise its tail feathers to form a fan shape when it is trying to find a wife. Turkeys can fly!

Click here to see some real turkeys! http://www.kidsfarm.com/turkeys.htm

The Cow Cows can be black, white, brown, tan, or any of those colors together. Cows give the farmer’s family milk. But a lady cow must become a mother before the farmer can milk her. The best cows can give the farmer up to 400 glasses of milk a day! That is a lot of milk to drink! We get hamburgers and steak from cows. Cows have four stomachs. They like to eat grass, hay, corn, and salt when they are thirsty.

Here is a cow video:

The Goat Goats are cud chewing animals, just like cows. They like to eat cracked corn mixed with oats, hay and grass. Male and female (boy and girls) goats are also endowed with beards that grow longer as they get older. Have you ever seen a girl with a beard?! Goats may be cream, white, black or brown. Goats can live to be 10 to 12 years old. Goats can climb, run, crawl under fences, and jump. Male goats are called a "Buck or Billy" ; female goats are called a "Doe or Nanny,” and a baby goat is called a "Kid.”

Here is a goat video:

The Pig A pig has a snout for a nose, small eyes, and a small tail, which may be curly, kinked, or straight. It has a thick body and short legs. Pigs are omnivores, which mean that they consume both plants and small animals. Pigs will look hard for food, and have been known to eat any kind of food, including dead insects, worms, tree bark, dead animals, poo-poo (even their own – yuck!) and garbage. Pigs can be black, white, pink, brown, or any of those colors together. Baby pigs are called “piglets.”

Here is a video on pigs:

Can you name these farm animals? Very Cool Interactive Game Click on the link below to play the naming game!

Here is a video of a friend telling us about her farm play set!

Resources http://www.goatworld.com/articles/goatslife/goatfacts.shtml http://aipl.arsusda.gov/kc/cowfacts.html http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Farm/ http://www.kidsfarm.com/farm.htm http://www.whereincity.com/india-kids/animals/pig.htm http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/economy/pigs.htm http://www.genetics.org/cgi/content/full/150/3/1177 http://www.ket.org/education/encyclomedia.htm http://www.picadome.fcps.net/lab/currl/farm/default.htm