Exploring the Exotic Breeds Industry Lesson 10

Next Generation/Common Core Standards Addressed! HS ‐ LS2 ‐ 1. Use mathematical and/or computational representations to support explanations of factors that affect carrying capacity of ecosystems at different scales. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on quantitative analysis and comparison of the relationships among interdependent factors including boundaries, resources, climate and competition. Examples of mathematical comparisons could include graphs, charts, histograms, and population changes gathered from simulations or historical data sets.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include deriving mathematical equations to make comparisons.] HS ‐ LS2 ‐ 2. Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based on evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems of different scales. [Clarification Statement: Examples of mathematical representations include finding the average, determining trends, and using graphical comparisons of multiple sets of data.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment is limited to provided data.]

Work! Explain the bison industry. Discuss raising ratites. Identify necessities of raising llamas and alpacas. List factors to consider when choosing what exotic animal to raise.

Terms Absentee ownership Beefalo Bison Haucaya Hobby operations Large ranches medium-size ranches Ratites Small producer Suri

Interest Approach Ask students to come up with all the exotic animals they have seen and where they saw them. Let students tell brief stories about visiting zoos or perhaps a foreign country.

Explain the bison industry. Objective #1

How do I raise bison? important to early native Americans for food, fuel, clothing, and other items at one time there were as many as 60 million head of bison end of 19h century there were only about 300 left faced extinction efforts to save this animal has over 125,000 and taken off endangered list

What do bison look like? weigh over 2,000 pounds at maturity stand over 6 feet tall at their hump 9 to 12 feet long horned long hair covers head and forequarters called buffalo

What do bison look like? meat similar to beef often crossed with domesticated beef animals Beefalo –using genetics of bison and domesticated beef cold hardy animal –desirable meat because of less cholesterol and fat

What are the types of enterprises that raise bison? Absentee ownership –people invest their money in the animals but have someone else raise animals Hobby Operations –raise bison as a hobby or for an attraction Small producers –raises between 25 to 100 head Medium-size ranches –producers with herds from 100 to 250 animals –income from selling meat and breeding stock Large Ranches –produce several hundred animals –income from selling meat and breeding stock

How do I mange bison? Handle animals correctly Properly bring new animals into herd Meeting proper nutrition requirements Prevention and treatment of health problems Keeping accurate records Using strong well- maintained fences Enough space for herd Avoiding poisonous plants and moldy feed.

How do I market my bison? breeding stock –other producers meat –restaurants –food stores –consumers by-products – artists for paintings –craft stores by-product uses –clothing –furniture –home décor items by-product parts –head- skull –bones- horns –wool - skin

Discuss raising ratites.

How do I raise ratites? Ratites –group name for large birds that cannot fly –emus, ostrich, rhea, cassowary, kiwis –production started as a source of feathers –evolved to include meat and leather goods

Ostriches largest bird that exists weighs between 200 and 350 pounds 7 to 9 feet tall run from 30 to 50 mph for 30 minutes

What are other ratites? Emus weighs from 125 to 150 pounds stands 5 to 6 feet tall males are smaller than females at maturity Rheas 44 to 55 pounds 5 ½ feet tall three toes on each foot lacks tail feathers

What are other ratites? Cassowary stands 4 to 6 feet tall run up to 30 MPH prefers forests to open plain areas Kiwi close to the size of chickens females are larger than males at maturity

How do I raise ratites? Buy and hatch eggs inexpensive way poor chance of eggs surviving Requires a great deal of knowledge of hatching eggs properly purchase hatching equipment Buy young chick pairs already know sex of birds mortality rate is still quite high Purchase yearling pairs faster return on investment lower mortality rate

How do I manage ratites?

Identify necessities of raising llama and alpacas. Objective #3

How do I raise llamas and alpacas? domesticated thousands of years ago traditionally used as pack animals also used for meat, milk, wool, and their hides first imported for zoos but now used for shows, pets, guarding sheep and production of fiber.

Llamas wool can be black or white with shades of brown, red, or roan maturity weight of 280 to 450 pounds stand 5 to 6 feet tall from head to ground live for 20 to 25 years

Alpacas 22 different colors 2 different classes based on type of fleece Haucaya –dense, crimped fiber Suri –white fleece that is not crimped but hangs down and is curly weighs between 100 to 175 pounds stand 4 ½ feet tall live for 20 to 25 years both llamas and alpaca graze and are suited to live on harsh terrains

HaucayaSuri

How do I market my llamas and Alpacas? done mainly from grower to grower few places that slaughter and process the animals breeding stock cost between $300 to $6,000 per animal more information by writing to the: International Llama Association Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association

List factors to consider when choosing what exotic animal to raise. Objective #4

How do I know what animal to raise? Determine if raising animal is profitable unless raising as a pet and it does not matter Know what the start-up costs include Research the areas where the animals are raised Contact agencies that deal with laws and regulations regarding animal production Find out what licenses or permits if any are needed Check to see if there is a market available

Review How do I raise bison? How do I raise ratites? How do I raise llamas and alpacas? How do I know what animal to raise?

The End!