They may be fed growth hormones and other chemical additives to make them grow quickly. Some people worry that the effects of these drugs might harm the animals. Factory farms Many farm animals are now reared in factory farms, where they are kept in specially controlled buildings to make them grow quickly. Many people say that this is cruel, but farmers insist it is the only way to produce the large quantities of meat and other products we demand. Sheep and goats Sheep and goats were first domesticated over 10,000 years ago and are farmed almost everywhere - sometimes in huge numbers, as on the Australian plains, sometimes on small hill farms in remote regions.
Some sheep give coarse wool which is good for carpets.
Others, like the Merino, give fine wool for jumpers. Sheep and goats are often kept in dry or mountainous areas because they are not only fairly agile, but also have strong jaws and are able to survive on tough, short grass. The first cattle were domesticated from the auroch 9000 years ago. Now there are billions around the world and many different breeds. Oxen pull ploughs and carts.