a) Explain each of the following terms as used in animal production: (i) flushing; (ii) castration; (iii) culling. (b) Mention two advantages of each of the...

Answer Details

(a) Explanation of terms

• (i) Flushing: The practice of giving breeding females extra, high-quality feed a few weeks before and during mating to improve ovulation and conception.
• (ii) Castration: The removal or destruction of the testes of a male animal to prevent it from breeding.
• (iii) Culling: The removal of old, sick, unproductive or undesirable animals from a herd or flock.

(b) Two advantages of each

(i) Flushing

1. It increases the ovulation rate, giving more offspring (twinning).
2. It improves the body condition and conception rate of the breeding female.

(ii) Castration

1. It makes the animal docile and easy to handle.
2. It improves meat quality (tender meat without odour) and prevents unwanted mating.

(iii) Culling

1. It removes unproductive animals and cuts feeding costs.
2. It improves the general quality of the herd and provides income from animals sold.

(c) Two uses of each survey equipment

(i) Prismatic compass

1. To measure the bearings or directions of survey lines.
2. To measure horizontal angles during traversing.

(ii) Measuring tape

1. To measure distances and lengths on the field.
2. To measure the boundaries and offsets of a piece of land.

(d) Floriculture and aquaculture differentiated

Floriculture is the cultivation of flowers and ornamental plants, while aquaculture is the rearing or cultivation of aquatic organisms such as fish in water bodies or ponds.