(a) Mention five ways of preventing malnutrition in farm animals. (b) Discuss rickets in farm animals stating two points each under the following headings. ...

(a) Five ways of preventing malnutrition in farm animals

• Providing a balanced/adequate ration that supplies all needed nutrients.
• Supplementing feed with vitamins and minerals (e.g. mineral licks).
• Providing clean, adequate drinking water at all times.
• Avoiding overcrowding so that every animal has access to feed.
• Deworming animals regularly to reduce nutrient loss to parasites, and feeding according to age and physiological status.

(b) Rickets in farm animals

(i) Causes:

• Deficiency of vitamin D in the diet.
• Deficiency or imbalance of calcium and phosphorus in the ration.

(ii) Symptoms:

• Bent, bowed or deformed leg bones.
• Swollen joints, weak bones and stunted growth/lameness.

(iii) Control measures:

• Supply vitamin D and expose animals to sunlight.
• Provide adequate calcium and phosphorus in a balanced ration.

(iv) Animals which could be affected:

• Young growing poultry (chicks).
• Young pigs, calves, lambs and kids.

(c) Meaning of additive

An additive is a non-nutrient substance added to animal feed in very small quantities in order to improve the quality, palatability or keeping quality of the feed, promote growth or prevent disease.

(d) Five reasons why additives are included in animal feed

• To promote faster growth and improve feed efficiency.
• To prevent and control diseases (medication/coccidiostats).
• To improve the palatability of the feed.
• To supply extra vitamins and minerals.
• To preserve the feed and prevent spoilage/rancidity, and to improve product quality (e.g. yolk colour).