WAEC SSCE - Animal Husbandry - 2016

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The introduction of semen into the reproductive tract of female farm animals without copulation is called artificial insemination. This technique is used to breed animals with desirable genetic traits and it involves the collection, processing, and storage of semen from male animals, which can then be used to inseminate females at a later time. Compared to natural mating, artificial insemination allows for greater control over breeding, increased genetic diversity, and the ability to breed animals from different geographic locations.

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In animal production, disease-causing organisms are generally called pathogens. Pathogens are microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa that can cause diseases in animals. These organisms can infect different parts of the animal's body, including the respiratory system, digestive system, and reproductive system. Pathogens can also be transmitted from one animal to another through direct contact, contaminated feed or water, and through the air. Preventing and controlling the spread of pathogens is essential in animal production to ensure the health and productivity of the animals.

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The main reason for providing light for broilers during production is to increase feed intake. Broilers are fed on a specific diet to grow quickly and reach market weight within a certain time frame. Providing light stimulates the broilers to eat more, leading to increased growth rate and weight gain. This is because light affects the broiler's feeding behavior and appetite, and encourages them to eat more frequently and for longer periods of time.

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The part of the tapeworm illustrated is the scolex. The scolex is the head of the tapeworm which contains the suckers and hooks that the parasite uses to attach itself to the lining of the host's intestine. It is the first part of the tapeworm that enters the host's body and anchors the parasite in place so that it can begin to grow and produce eggs.

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Pueraria phaseoloides is a pasture legume. This is because legumes are plants that have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen in their root nodules, which can be used as a source of nitrogen for other plants. Pueraria phaseoloides is a fast-growing, high-yielding legume that can be used as a forage crop, improving soil fertility and providing high-quality feed for livestock. Panicum maximum, Andropogen gayanus, and Axonopus compressus are all grasses commonly used as forage crops, but they are not legumes.

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Pastures could be improved through fertilizer application and irrigation. Fertilizer application involves the addition of essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, to the soil to enhance the growth of plants. This improves pasture quality by promoting the growth of more nutritious forage. Irrigation, on the other hand, involves the application of water to the pasture to ensure that the plants have enough moisture for growth. This ensures that the plants have good quality and quantity of forage for animals to graze on. Properly fertilized and irrigated pastures help to improve livestock productivity, health, and overall farm profitability.

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Farm animals that produce milk, eggs, and wool require a production ration. This type of ration is specifically designed to meet the nutrient requirements of the animal for the purpose of producing milk, eggs, or wool. It contains a balanced combination of energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins that are needed for the production of these animal products. This type of ration is different from a maintenance ration, which is designed to meet the nutrient requirements of the animal for maintenance of its body weight and normal body functions.

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Rinderpest is a viral disease that affects cattle, buffalo, and some wild animals. The virus that causes rinderpest is a single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the family Paramyxoviridae. Therefore, the correct answer is a virus.

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To solve this problem, we need to first calculate the birds' feed consumption rate per day and then multiply it by the number of days in a week. The birds consumed 25kg of feed in 6 hours, which is 1/4th of a day (since there are 24 hours in a day). So, their feed consumption rate per day is: 25 kg ÷ 1/4 day = 100 kg/day To calculate the feed required by the same number of birds in one week (7 days), we simply multiply the daily feed consumption rate by the number of days: 100 kg/day x 7 days = 700 kg Therefore, the quantity of feed required by the same number of birds in one week is 700kg. Hence the answer is.

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Animal breeding is a process of selecting certain animals and allowing them to reproduce in order to produce offspring with desirable traits. The fundamental principles underlying animal breeding are based on genetics. In other words, traits that are inherited from the parents can be selected for and amplified in future generations. By carefully selecting animals with desirable traits and allowing them to mate, breeders can create a population of animals with the desired characteristics. This process can be guided by understanding of genetics, such as how certain traits are inherited and how to predict the likelihood of specific traits being expressed in offspring. Management and physiology are also important factors in animal breeding, but they are ultimately based on the genetic principles.

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If the oestrus cycle of a goat is 27 days, it means that the goat will come on heat approximately every 27 days. To calculate how many times it will come on heat in a year, we need to know the number of days in a year. There are 365 days in a year. Therefore, to calculate how many times the goat will come on heat in a year, we divide the number of days in a year (365) by the length of the oestrus cycle (27): 365 / 27 = 13.52 This means that the goat will come on heat approximately 13 times in a year. We round up to the nearest whole number, which is 14. Therefore, the correct answer is: 14 times.

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A castrated male sheep is called a "wether". Castration involves the removal of the testes of male animals, making them sterile and less aggressive. Wethers are commonly raised for their meat, and are often preferred over intact males due to their docile behavior and lack of gamy odor in the meat.

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Broilers are purposely raised for meat. They are a type of chicken breed that is specifically bred and raised for their meat production. Broilers have a rapid growth rate and can reach market weight within a few weeks, making them a popular choice for commercial meat production. In contrast, layers are raised for egg production, while cockerels and pullets are young male and female chickens, respectively, that are not typically raised for meat.

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Mastitis is the disease that would directly affect milk production in cows. Mastitis is an inflammation of the udder caused by bacterial infection, and it can reduce milk production and alter the composition of the milk, leading to poor quality milk. Infected cows can also experience pain and discomfort, which can further decrease milk production. Therefore, it is important for farmers to take preventive measures such as proper sanitation and hygiene practices, as well as prompt treatment of any signs of mastitis in their cows.

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The true stomach of ruminants is called abomasum. The stomach of a ruminant consists of four compartments: rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. The abomasum is also known as the "true stomach" because it is the compartment that is most similar to the stomach of non-ruminant animals, such as humans. It is the fourth and final chamber of the stomach and is responsible for digesting food with the help of enzymes and acids. It is also the site where proteins are broken down into amino acids, which can then be absorbed into the bloodstream.

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The type of meat obtained from sheep is called mutton. Mutton is the meat obtained from adult sheep, typically over one year old. It is a red meat and has a distinctive flavor that sets it apart from other meats such as beef or pork. Chevon, on the other hand, is the meat obtained from goats. Beef is the meat obtained from cattle, while ham is typically the meat from the hind leg of a pig that has been cured or smoked.

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Brucellosis is a bacterial infection that affects many animals including sheep. One of the symptoms of brucellosis in ewes is abortion. Ewes infected with brucellosis may abort their fetuses prematurely, leading to a decrease in the number of lambs produced. The bacteria can also affect the reproductive organs and cause infertility. In some cases, ewes infected with brucellosis may give birth to weak or stillborn lambs. Other symptoms of brucellosis in ewes may include fever, weight loss, and reduced milk production.

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In farm animals, hormones are released into the blood stream. Hormones are chemical messengers that are produced by glands and released into the blood stream. Once in the blood, they travel to different parts of the body and interact with specific receptors to produce specific physiological responses. In farm animals, hormones are responsible for regulating a wide range of functions, including growth, reproduction, metabolism, and stress response. By releasing hormones into the blood stream, the animal is able to coordinate and regulate these different physiological processes to maintain homeostasis and respond to changing environmental conditions.

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Labelled part II produces hormones. Part II is the endocrine gland, which is responsible for producing hormones that regulate various bodily functions such as metabolism, growth, and development. Hormones produced by the endocrine gland are released directly into the bloodstream to be transported to their target organs. Therefore, part II is responsible for the endocrine system's functioning, making it the correct answer.

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Fertilization in plants occurs when the sperm cell from the pollen grain fuses with the egg cell in the ovule. In the flower structure, the ovule is located in the ovary, which is part of the pistil or female reproductive organ of the flower. Therefore, the part labelled II, which represents the pistil or carpel, is where fertilization occurs in plants.

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Inbreeding is a breeding practice where animals that are closely related are mated with each other over several generations. A disadvantage of prolonged inbreeding in farm animals is that it can lead to reduced vigour among offspring. This is because inbreeding increases the likelihood of homozygosity, meaning the offspring inherit identical copies of genes from both parents. This can result in the expression of recessive alleles that can cause genetic disorders and reduce the overall health and fitness of the offspring. As a result, inbreeding can lead to reduced production, increased mortality rates, and lower overall performance in farm animals.

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The feed to gain ratio is the amount of feed consumed by an animal to gain a unit of weight. To determine the feed to gain ratio in this case, we divide the amount of feed consumed by the weight gained by the broiler. Feed to gain ratio = Feed consumed / Weight gained Substituting the values given in the question, we have: Feed to gain ratio = 6.0 kg / 2.0 kg = 3:1 Therefore, the feed to gain ratio for the broiler is 3:1. This means that the broiler consumed 3 kg of feed to gain 1 kg of weight.

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In poultry, nutrients are mainly absorbed in the small intestine. This is the part of the digestive system where the majority of nutrient breakdown and absorption occurs. The small intestine is lined with tiny finger-like projections called villi which increase the surface area available for the absorption of nutrients. These villi contain blood vessels and lacteals, which absorb nutrients and transport them to the rest of the body. Therefore, it can be said that the small intestine plays a vital role in nutrient absorption in poultry.

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Out of the given options, the monogastric farm animal is a "boar". Monogastric animals have a simple, single-chambered stomach which is unable to break down fibrous feeds effectively. Boars belong to the monogastric category, which means they have a simple stomach with one compartment. Other examples of monogastric animals are humans, dogs, and cats.

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The endoparasite that creates sores in the liver and lungs of farm animals as it bores through them is a roundworm. Roundworms are a type of internal parasite that infects farm animals such as cattle, sheep, and pigs. When these parasites infect the liver and lungs, they can cause damage and create sores as they burrow through the tissue. This can lead to reduced productivity and even death in severe cases if left untreated.

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(a) Five ways of improving pasture

• Apply fertiliser or farmyard manure to raise soil fertility.
• Practise controlled/rotational grazing to avoid overgrazing.
• Introduce improved, high-yielding grass and legume species.
• Control weeds and undesirable plants.
• Reseed/oversow bare patches and provide irrigation where possible.

(b) Five organs of the digestive system of a rabbit

• Mouth.
• Stomach.
• Small intestine.
• Caecum.
• Large intestine (colon/rectum) - the rabbit also has an oesophagus and anus.

(c) Five precautions to be taken in the dipping of sheep

• Prepare the dip wash at the correct concentration.
• Ensure the whole body, including the head, is immersed.
• Do not dip sick, pregnant, tired or very young animals.
• Dip during the cool part of the day and allow the animals to drain afterwards.
• Do not dip animals on a completely empty or completely full stomach, and top up the dip wash regularly.

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(a) Five objectives of animal improvement

• To increase the yield of animal products such as meat, milk, eggs and wool.
• To improve the quality of these products, for example leaner meat or milk of higher butterfat content.
• To develop animals that grow faster and reach market or maturity weight earlier (better feed conversion).
• To breed animals with greater resistance or tolerance to diseases, parasites and harsh environmental conditions.
• To improve the reproductive efficiency (fertility, prolificacy and mothering ability) of the animals.

(b) Signs that a pregnant animal is approaching parturition

• Enlargement of the udder with the secretion of milk (bagging up).
• Swelling and slackening or reddening of the vulva.
• Restlessness, isolation from the herd and the making of a nest or bed in some animals.
• Relaxation and sinking of the pelvic (tail-head) ligaments and hollowing of the flanks.
• Loss of appetite and frequent lying down and rising.

(c) Two disease-causing organisms in livestock production

• Bacteria (for example those causing anthrax and brucellosis).
• Protozoa (for example Trypanosoma causing trypanosomiasis). Other examples include viruses and helminths (worms).

(d) Completed nutrient table

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(a) Four parasites of farm animals

• Tick.
• Louse.
• Liver fluke.
• Tapeworm (also roundworm, mite, tsetse fly).

(b) Five ways in which the keeping of ruminants is important to the economy

• Provides meat and milk as a cheap source of animal protein.
• Is a source of income and foreign exchange to farmers and the nation.
• Provides employment along the production and marketing chain.
• Supplies raw materials such as hides and skin for industry.
• Provides manure for crop farming and draught power for work.

(c) Management practices undertaken in calf production

• Feeding the calf with colostrum soon after birth.
• Disinfecting and treating the navel cord.
• Identification (ear tagging/notching).
• Dehorning and castration of unwanted males.
• Feeding, weaning, deworming and vaccination.

(d) Two ways each practice is important

(i) Brooding: provides warmth to chicks and protects them from cold and predators, thereby reducing chick mortality.

(ii) Debeaking: prevents cannibalism and feather pecking, and reduces feed wastage and egg-eating.

(iii) Culling: removes unproductive animals and helps to control disease, improving flock quality and reducing feeding cost.

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(a) Explanation of terms

• (i) Ration: the total amount of feed given to an animal within 24 hours.
• (ii) Balanced diet: feed that contains all the essential nutrients (carbohydrate, protein, fat, minerals, vitamins and water) in the correct proportions required by the animal.
• (iii) Maintenance ration: the feed given to keep an animal alive and healthy without any gain or loss in body weight.
• (iv) Production ration: the feed given in addition to the maintenance ration to enable the animal produce (growth, milk, eggs, meat, wool or work).
• (v) Malnutrition: a disorder caused by feeding an animal on a diet deficient in, or having a wrong proportion of, one or more essential nutrients.

(b) Two uses of each animal product

• Honey: used as food/sweetener; used in medicine.
• Wool: used for making clothing/textiles; used for blankets and carpets.
• Horn: used for making combs and buttons; used for ornaments/decorations.
• Milk: used as human food/drink; used for making butter, cheese and yoghurt.
• Egg: used as food; used for hatching/incubation (and in confectionery and vaccine production).

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(a) Five management practices carried out daily on a livestock farm

• Feeding the animals.
• Provision of clean drinking water.
• Cleaning of pens, houses and equipment.
• Collection of eggs and/or milking.
• Inspection of the animals for signs of ill health.

(b) Five devices used in restraining farm animals

• Rope/halter.
• Cattle crush.
• Bull ring (nose ring).
• Casting rope.
• Stanchion (also yoke, trevis).

(c) Four structures used for housing livestock

• Poultry house.
• Piggery (pig pen).
• Cattle kraal/byre.
• Sheep/goat pen (also rabbit hutch, stable).

(d) Steps involved in branding cattle (hot-iron branding)

1. Restrain the animal firmly in a crush.
2. Heat the branding iron until it is red hot.
3. Select and clean the branding site (usually the hip or flank).
4. Press the hot iron firmly on the site for a few seconds to leave a permanent mark.
5. Release the animal and treat the branded area to prevent infection.

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(a) Three equipment used in incubation of eggs

• Incubator.
• Egg tray.
• Candler (candling lamp) - also thermometer and hygrometer.

(b) Five measures a livestock farmer could adopt to control diseases on the farm

• Vaccinate the animals against common diseases.
• Maintain good sanitation and hygiene in pens and equipment.
• Isolate/quarantine sick and newly introduced animals.
• Provide balanced feed and clean water to build resistance.
• Deworm regularly and disinfect the premises, and treat sick animals promptly.

(c) Four advantages of artificial insemination

• One superior sire can serve many females.
• It prevents the spread of breeding (venereal) diseases.
• It removes the cost and danger of keeping a bull.
• Semen can be stored and transported over long distances for genetic improvement.

(d) Two methods of animal improvement

• Selection: identifying and keeping only animals with superior, desirable traits (high yield, disease resistance, good conformation) for breeding, so that these traits are passed on to the offspring.
• Crossbreeding: mating animals of two different breeds so as to combine the desirable qualities of both breeds and obtain hybrid vigour (offspring superior to the parents).