WAEC SSCE - Animal Husbandry - 2024 (Essay)

Akọwa Nkọwa

(a) Ways of Preventing Malnutrition in Farm Animals:

- Provide sufficient ration.

- Always feed a balanced diet

- Feed weaker animals separately

- Provide supplementary feed to animals.

- Provide feed additives.

- Deworm arm animals regularly

- Use appropriate stocking rate of farm animals

- Provide quality and adequate drinking water.

- Protect animals from toxic plants and harmful substances

- Treat against ectoparasites/dip animals regularly.

 

(b) Discussion on rickets in farm animals:

(i) Causes:
-Calcium deficiency.
- Phosphorus deficiency.
- Calcium
- Phosphorus imbalance.
- Vitamin D deficiencies

(ii) Symptoms:
- Retarded growth.
- lmproper coordination
- Staggering gait
- Flexible and curved hones bow leg
- Soft-shelled/shelless eggs in poultry.
- Low egg production in poultry.
- Low milk production

(iii) Control measures:
- Add bone meal/oyster shell to feed/provide calcium and phosphorus.
- Sup balanced diet.
- Exposure to moderate.
- Supplement feed with vitamin D.

(iv) Animal which could be affected:
- Poultry, e.g. chicken, turkey.
- Cattle.
- Sheep.
- Goat.
- Pig.
- Rabbit
- Donkey
- Camel.
- Horse.
- Gras cutter

 

(c) Explanation of additives as used in animal nutrition: Ingredients added to a diet perform a specific role, e.g. to improve the growth of feed efficiency.

- Substances added to feed in small quantities which may or may not Supply nutrients.

(d) Reasons why additives are included in animal feed:

- To provide appetite and encourage feed consumption.

- To supply nutrients to farm animals

- To improve the nutritional value of feed e.g enzymes, herbal products.

- Prevention and treatment of some specific diseases.

- To deworm farm animals.

- For promoting growth.

- As a binder to make certain. target nutrients available.

Akọwa Nkọwa

(a) Parts of the reproductive system of:

(i) bull

- seminal vesicle

- testis

- spermatic cord

- scrotum

- urethra

- penis

- epididymis

-  vas deferens

- cowper's gland

- prostate gland

(ii) Hen

- Ovary/oval/ovum

- shell gland/uterus

- Funnel/ infundibulum/Fallopian tube Vagina Sphincter

- magnum/ampulla

- Vagina

-isthmus

-  Sphincter

- Cloaca

(b) Functions of parts named

Bull

Testis: sperm production, secretion of hormones

Scrotum: covers the testis and regulates the temperature of the testis

Urethra: passage for semen /sperm

Penis: copulatory organ, discharge and deposition of semen into reproductive organ of female.

Epididymis: transportation, concentration and storage of semen

Vas deferens: passage for sperm/semen into urethra

Seminal ‘Vesicle: produces a sugar rich fluid (fructose) for energy

Spermatic cord: supplies blood, nutrient and oxygen

Cowper's gland: secretes fluid that lubricates the urethra and neutralises acidity caused by the residual drops of urine.

Prostate gland: increases the volume of the ejaculate; helps to nourish the sperm: promotes movement of spermatozoon

Hen

Ovary: Production of ova, secretion of hormones

Funnel: Passage of ova into magnum; fertilisation of ova

Magnum: Secretion of albumen, formation of chalaza

Shell gland/uterus: Formation and deposition of shell, adds water to swell up the egg. Deposits minerals

Vagina: Copulatory organ, temporary storage of egg

Sphincter: Contracts to hold egg in vagina or relaxes to release egg into cloaca

Cloaca: Opening for laying egg

Isthmus: Secretes shell membrane, determines shape or the egg.

(C) Process of digestion of cassava tuber in the mouth of a pig

- Tuber is chewed: ground with teeth/ masticated to reduce size.

- Saliva is secreted by salivary gland.

- Food is mixed with saliva to make it soft/moist/ lubricated.

- Amylase from saliva acts to break down starch to maltose.

- Food is rolled in IT the tongue and pushed back and swallowed.

Akọwa Nkọwa

(a) Explanation of Terms used in Nutrition: 

(i) Ration: (I) It is the amount of feed or diet given to an animal in a day/24 hours. 
(2) It could be straight/individual ingredient or mix ration.
(3) It should be in wet or dry form. 
(4) It could be in form of pellets, matched, block etc. 

(ii) Balanced Diet: 
(1) It is the feed that contains all the nutrients in the right proportion. 
(2) It is for growth and production of an animal 
(3) It is the feed that contains all the nutrient requirements of animals/different classes of animals 

(iii) Maintenance Ration: (1) It is the amount of feed that is given to an animal to sustain its live weight. 
(2)The purpose is to reduce the cost of management/feeding. 
(3) To keep the animal alive for the intended purpose/future purpose. 
(4) It is less expensive. 

(iv) Production Ration: (1) It is the amount of feed supplied to an animal to promote growth and production. 
(2) It is excess of maintenance requirement. 
(3) It is more expensive to carry out.

(v) Malnutrition: (1 )It occurs in firm animals when they are fed with in-adequate or excess feed or unbalanced diet. 
(2) It is an unhealthy condition which manifest in farm animals. 
(3) It may result in production losses. 

(b) Uses of Animal Products: (i) Honey: (1) Source of feed for animals/ additives/supplements 
(2) Source of food humans/natural sweetener. 
(3) Used for dressing of wounds/burns. 
(4)Used in brewing honey beers. 
(5) Used in confectionery industry. 
(6) Used as a preservative. 

(ii) Wool: (1) Used for insulation. (2) Used for the manufacture of brushes. 
(3) Used as clothing material/seat covers/unholstery. 
(4) Used in the manufacture of blankets and rugs. (5) Used for decoration/aesthetics. 
(iii) Horn: (1) Used for manufacturing knife handles. (2) Used in the manufacture of fertilizer. (3) Used in the preparation of glues and buttons. (4)Used for aesthetics. (5) Used as music instrument/cultural use. 

(iv) Milk: (1 ) Food for humans. (2) For feeding young livestock. (3) Used for making confectioneries. e.g biscuit, bread , cake. (4) Used in the preparation of dairy products, e.g yogurt, butter, ice cream. 

(v) Egg: (1) It is used as feed for animal/egg shell for calcium. (2) It is used for the manufacture of vaccines/medicinal uses/drugs.

(3) Manufacture of adhesives/paints/power. (4) Food for humans. (5) Used in cosmetics. (6) Used for securing powder.

Akọwa Nkọwa

(a) Organs in Parts of Rabbit:

(i) Head: Tongue, Eye, ear, lips, teeth, nose/nostril, Mouth/oral cavity/buccal cavity, Brain, Skin, Hair, Skull

(ii) Thorax: Lung, Heart, Oesophagus, Trachea, Diaphragm, Thymus.

(iii) Abdomen: -Small intestine - Large intestine -Pancreas -Spleen, Bladder, Uterus, Fallopian tube/oviduct, Ovaries, Kidney, Liver, Stomach, Caecum, Colon

 

(b) Functions of Organs:

(i) Caecum:

• It aids fermentation of fibre. 
• Absorption of fluid/salt/vitamins.
• Houses microbes which produce cellulase for microbial digestion.
• Site where digestion of forages take place in pseudoruminants.

(ii) Gizzard:

• Contains grit/stones for grinding feed in poultry/aids digestion.
• Stores feed in poultry/aids digestion
• Stores feed temporarily/regulation of feed flow.
• Mixes digestive enzymes with the feed/chemical degradation

(ii) Crop:

• Hunger sensation centre.
• Site for temporary storage of food feed/regulation of feed flow.
• Allows feed to be moistened for digestion/aids digestion.
• Acidification of feed.

(iv) Rumen:

• It facilitates rumination.
• Elimination of gases through eructation.
• Site for fermentation of fibrous feed.
• Houses microbes which facilitates digestion of fibre.
• Production of volatile fatty acids.
• Synthesis of vitamin B complex.
• Receives feed.
• It stores feed temporarily.
• Absorption of volatile fatty acids.
• Site of synthesis of microbial protein.

(v) Lung:

• Helps in intake of oxygen/breathing/respiration.
• Provide surface for gaseous exchange
• Helps in the elimination of carbon dioxide.

(c) Practical Way of Checking Malnutrition in Livestock Production :

• Deworming.
• Giving supplementary feed
• feeding weaker animals separately
• use of fortified feed
• adjusting stocking density
• feeding the animals adlibitum /without restriction
• Provision of quality feed.
• Avoid overfeeding/underfeeding
• Protecting animals from toxic plants.
• Provision of salt lick.
• Use of additives to stimulate feed intake. 
• Provision of good quality water
• Balanced ration/diet

 

(d) Examples of Non-traditional farm animals. - Silkworm - Horse-Camel - Donkey -Quails -Grasscutter - Rabbit -Honey bees. -Geese Snail - Ducks -Guinea peas Pigeons. 

Akọwa Nkọwa

(a)i) Explanation of brooding as used in animal husbandry: lt is the provision of heat, feed, water medication, and protection for chicks/piglets in confinement from day old until they develop enough feathers/hairs.

(ii) Routine activities that are carried out in a brooder house:

- Provision of balanced diet/feed

- Provision of fresh and clean water.

- Provision of heat to chicks.

- Cleaning and washing of Water through.

- Removal and placement of litter.

- Vaccination/Medication.

- Culling of unproductive birds

- Separation of weak/injured birds from healthy flock.

- Ensure proper lighting especially at night

- Debeaking of birds at 6-8 weeks.

- Checking of inlet and outlet of pests 

- Adjusting the hoover to make the chicks warm.

- Increasing the chick guard to make provision for growing chicks

- Ensure adequate ventilation

 

(b) Effects of parasite in livestock production:

- Cause diseases to animals vectors.

- Cause decline/decrease in productivity.

- Reduce the value of animal products/unattractive/market value

- Cause extra cost to farmer/reduce profit margin/reduced income.

- Cause stunted growth of animals/retarded growth.

- Cause anorexia/ loss of appetite.

- May cause the death of animals/coma.

- Block passage of food digestive tract.

- Cause restlessness.

- Loss of blood/causes anaemia

- Poor utilization of feed.

- Cause injury to animals.

- Farmers can be infested with the parasite.

 

(c) Ways of controlling liver fluke in sheep production:

- Destroy freshwater snails.

- Avoid grazing animals by riverside/Swampy area/water-logged areas.

- Proper drainage of water bodies.

- Deworm/drench animals with recommended drugs.

- Avoid wet pasture/early morning grazing.

- Practice rotational grazing/pasture management.

- Practice liming of pasture.

- Introduce ducks to swampy pasture/biological control

- Pasture rangeland burning.

 

(d)i. Definition of artificial insemination as used in animal production: It is the process by which sperm/semen is introduced in the female reproductive system of an animal on neat by means other than the use of natural mating

(ii) Advantages of artificial insemination:

- Use of Semen of proven bull to cross a wide range of cows

- Reduces the transfer of sexually transmitted diseases.

- Enables the use of semen of lame, but fertile proven male 

- Semen held in cold storage can be used for many years.

- Semen can be transported worldwide.

- lt prevents the use of oversized males

- Allows farmers to plan/synchronize parturition of cows.

Akọwa Nkọwa

(a) Explanation of factors that affect feed formulation for farm animals

(i)         Age of animal

• It determines the nutrient level of feed to be formulated
• It also determines the size of the particles of the feed
• It determines the type/form of the feed

 (ii)       Physiological state of animal

• It has to do with the health status of animal i.e. whether it is sick or well
• Also relates whether the animal is pregnant, dry or lactating, laying, growing
• Determine the type of feed to be fed to an animal

 

 (iii)       Purpose of keeping the animal

Feed formulated depends on the type of product/objective/output expected from the animal e.g. meat, egg, wool, draught/power/work
 

(b)  Precautions to be taken to ensure the preparation of good quality feed for   
           layers

• Obtain good quality ingredients
• Ensure correct formulation of feed using appropriate ratio(e.g. energy/protein ratio, minerals, vitamins)
• Mill to right particle size
• Ensure thorough mixing of feed
• Pack in a suitable container
• Store in an appropriate place
• Ensure hygienic conditions in the mixing parlour(mill)/hygienic environment