(a) Give three advantages and three disadvantages of the deep litter system of poultry management. [6 marks] (b) State three reasons for carrying out each o...

Answer Details

(a) Deep litter system of poultry management

Advantages:

1. Many birds can be kept together in one house, so it saves space and labour.
2. The litter (droppings and bedding) can later be used as valuable manure.
3. Birds are protected from bad weather, predators and theft, and eggs are cleaner and easily collected.

Disadvantages:

1. Diseases and parasites spread quickly among the closely kept birds.
2. Damp or dirty litter produces ammonia, bad odour and can cause respiratory diseases.
3. It requires high capital for housing, litter and feeding, and birds may develop vices such as cannibalism and egg eating.

(b) Reasons for animal husbandry practices

(i) Castration of goats

1. To make the animals docile and easy to handle.
2. To improve the quality and remove the offensive smell/taste of the meat.
3. To prevent indiscriminate/uncontrolled mating and to promote fattening.

(ii) Creep feeding of pigs

1. To supply extra nutrients to the piglets since the sow's milk is not enough.
2. To help the piglets grow fast and reach weaning weight early.
3. To accustom the piglets to solid feed and reduce the stress of weaning.

(c) Four local breeds of cattle reared in West Africa

1. White Fulani (Bunaji)
2. Sokoto Gudali
3. Red Bororo (Rahaji)
4. N'Dama (Muturu and Keteku are also acceptable)