Proper animal records remain a challenge among many farmers in Africa today. Knowing an animal’s age helps improve decisions on feeding, breeding, and management. Dentition gives reliable age clues always.

Dentition uses teeth changes to estimate age and is widely preferred because it is effective. From birth to one month, temporary incisors appear while permanent teeth replace them when mature.

At two years, permanent pinchers develop fully, followed by other incisors between two and five years. Wearing patterns continue from seven to twelve years, showing progressive changes that reveal age.

Age determination supports proper records, breeding choices, animal purchases, and better farm management practices. Farmers should observe teeth carefully to make informed decisions and maintain productive herds through accurate assessment.

Understanding dentition helps farmers identify animal ages without records and promotes improved livestock care across communities. This knowledge empowers farmers to manage animals wisely and achieve better results in farming.

Thank you for reading.

Abdullah Opeyemi Akande
B.Agric. (FUNAAB)
GAS (NIAS)
M.Sc. Animal Sci. (UI)
RAS (NIAS)
M.Sc. Int’l Business (UU, UK)
Ph.D. in view