(a) State a breed of specimen L which may be used for only commercial egg production. (b) How long does it take an improved specimen L from day old to reach...

Specimen L is the domestic fowl (laying hen).

(a) A breed used for only commercial egg production

The White Leghorn (other light egg-type layers such as Black Leghorn, Ancona and Minorca are also acceptable).

(b) Time from day-old to point of lay for an improved layer

About 18 to 20 weeks (approximately five months).

(c) Four features on the head of specimen L

• Comb
• Wattles
• Beak
• Eyes (the ear lobe and nostrils are also on the head)

(d) Three parasites and four diseases that attack specimen L

Three parasites:

• Lice
• Mites
• Roundworms (fleas and ticks also attack the fowl)

Four diseases:

• Newcastle disease
• Fowl pox
• Coccidiosis
• Fowl typhoid (fowl cholera, Gumboro and pullorum are also acceptable)

(e) Two ways of controlling the parasites mentioned in (d)

• Dust or spray the birds and the poultry house with the recommended insecticide/acaricide powder, and deworm the birds regularly with anthelmintics.
• Maintain good sanitation and hygiene by regular cleaning and disinfection of the house, changing the litter, isolating infected birds and avoiding overcrowding.