WAEC SSCE - Animal Husbandry - 2025 (Essay)
Swali 1 Ripoti
(a) State five methods of preventing diseases in farm animals.
(b) Mention five factors which could predispose livestock to diseases.
(c)(i) Give three effects of ticks on farm animals. (ii) State three ways of controlling ticks on farm animals.
(d) List four symptoms of coccidiosis in poultry.
(a) Methods of Preventing Diseases in farm Animals: - New stock/animals to the farm should be quarantined before being allowed into the farm. -Animals should be vaccinated at the right time. -Good hygiene/high sanitary measures should be practiced in livestock farms/change of bedding materials. -Animals must be properly fed with balanced diet to resist any disease attack, -Disease-resistant stocks should be bred in the farm. -All sick animals should be isolated from healthy ones and treated/culled. -Rotational grazing methods should be practiced to avoid build up of parasites. -Deworm regularly. -Spray/dip against ectoparasites. -Allow access to exercise. -Adopt biosecurity measures. -Adopt appropriate stocking density/avoid over population. -Timely and regular feeding of animals. -Provide clean water at all times. -Ensure adequate ventilation/good housing. -Provide bedding materials under cold conditions.
(b) Factors which could Pre-dispose Livestock to Diseases: - Poor health status of animals can lead to disease. -Malnutrition of farm animals. -Improper disposal of carcass/wastes. -Poor or improper sanitation, including dirty environmert/poor hygiene. -Overcrowding/overpopulation/ many animals. -Poor breeds of animals7inbreeding depression/poor resistance. -Poor housing -Improper use of drugs. -Improper use of equipment. -Harsh weather conditions/unfavourable climatic condition. -Injury/wounds. Roaming of animals. -Prevalence of insects pests. -Poor quality water -Poor quality feed. -Low immunity. -Absence of enough space. -Poor management.
(c)(i) Effects of ticks on farm animals: - Act as vectors of diseases, e.g. tick fever, heart water diseases. -Cause great discomfort/ irritation to their hosts. -Injuries from their bites may become ulcerated wounds. -Injuries caused may become sources of secondary infections. -Damage of skin by tick on host reduces the quality of skin or hides/market value. -Sucks blood of the host leading to anaemia/loss of blood. -Loss of appetite. -Loss of weight. -Death may occur. -Coma. (ii) Ways of controlling ticks on farm animals: -Animals should be kept in clean surroundings/clear surroundings. -Animals should be dipped in appropriate acaricides solution/pour on/injectable/dusting. -Rotational grazing should be practiced. -New stocks are to be isolated to ensure that they are free from infection. -Animal bedding should be changed regularly. -Ticks should he hand-picked from the body of the host animal/delousing. -Keep away stray animals. -Heat treatment of pens. -Use footbath regularly. -Burn infested pasture.
(d) Symptoms of coccidiosis in poultry: BIood stained diarrh oea. -Dropping wings. -Loss of appetite. -Huddling (crowding together of birds). Dullness and unthriftness, -Emaciation/loss of weight. -Anaemia. -Rough feathers. -Constipation or nouring. -Death. -Drop in egg production/poor productivity. -Laying of small eggs. -Laying of shelless Soaoma. -Loss of yellow colour in shank. -Pale comb and wattles. -Dehydration.
Maelezo ya Majibu
(a) Methods of Preventing Diseases in farm Animals: - New stock/animals to the farm should be quarantined before being allowed into the farm. -Animals should be vaccinated at the right time. -Good hygiene/high sanitary measures should be practiced in livestock farms/change of bedding materials. -Animals must be properly fed with balanced diet to resist any disease attack, -Disease-resistant stocks should be bred in the farm. -All sick animals should be isolated from healthy ones and treated/culled. -Rotational grazing methods should be practiced to avoid build up of parasites. -Deworm regularly. -Spray/dip against ectoparasites. -Allow access to exercise. -Adopt biosecurity measures. -Adopt appropriate stocking density/avoid over population. -Timely and regular feeding of animals. -Provide clean water at all times. -Ensure adequate ventilation/good housing. -Provide bedding materials under cold conditions.
(b) Factors which could Pre-dispose Livestock to Diseases: - Poor health status of animals can lead to disease. -Malnutrition of farm animals. -Improper disposal of carcass/wastes. -Poor or improper sanitation, including dirty environmert/poor hygiene. -Overcrowding/overpopulation/ many animals. -Poor breeds of animals7inbreeding depression/poor resistance. -Poor housing -Improper use of drugs. -Improper use of equipment. -Harsh weather conditions/unfavourable climatic condition. -Injury/wounds. Roaming of animals. -Prevalence of insects pests. -Poor quality water -Poor quality feed. -Low immunity. -Absence of enough space. -Poor management.
(c)(i) Effects of ticks on farm animals: - Act as vectors of diseases, e.g. tick fever, heart water diseases. -Cause great discomfort/ irritation to their hosts. -Injuries from their bites may become ulcerated wounds. -Injuries caused may become sources of secondary infections. -Damage of skin by tick on host reduces the quality of skin or hides/market value. -Sucks blood of the host leading to anaemia/loss of blood. -Loss of appetite. -Loss of weight. -Death may occur. -Coma. (ii) Ways of controlling ticks on farm animals: -Animals should be kept in clean surroundings/clear surroundings. -Animals should be dipped in appropriate acaricides solution/pour on/injectable/dusting. -Rotational grazing should be practiced. -New stocks are to be isolated to ensure that they are free from infection. -Animal bedding should be changed regularly. -Ticks should he hand-picked from the body of the host animal/delousing. -Keep away stray animals. -Heat treatment of pens. -Use footbath regularly. -Burn infested pasture.
(d) Symptoms of coccidiosis in poultry: BIood stained diarrh oea. -Dropping wings. -Loss of appetite. -Huddling (crowding together of birds). Dullness and unthriftness, -Emaciation/loss of weight. -Anaemia. -Rough feathers. -Constipation or nouring. -Death. -Drop in egg production/poor productivity. -Laying of small eggs. -Laying of shelless Soaoma. -Loss of yellow colour in shank. -Pale comb and wattles. -Dehydration.
Swali 2 Ripoti
(a) Discuss anthrax disease under the following headings:
- causative organisms
- two modes of transmission;
(b) Draw and label the reproductive tract of a hen. [6 marks]
(a) Discussion on anthrax disease;
(i) Causative organism
- Bacillus anthracis
(ii) Modes of transmission
- Ingestion of contaminated feeds
- Inhalation of spores
- Drinking of contaminated water
- Open wounds/body contact
- Contaminated soil
- Contaminated equipment e.g. feeder, drinker etc.
- Vector/flies/rats/birds etc.
(b) 
Maelezo ya Majibu
(a) Discussion on anthrax disease;
(i) Causative organism
- Bacillus anthracis
(ii) Modes of transmission
- Ingestion of contaminated feeds
- Inhalation of spores
- Drinking of contaminated water
- Open wounds/body contact
- Contaminated soil
- Contaminated equipment e.g. feeder, drinker etc.
- Vector/flies/rats/birds etc.
(b)
Swali 3 Ripoti
(a) Explain each of the following terms as used in animal husbandry:
(i) coprophagy: (ii) rumination (iii) candling (iv) tethering.
(b) List four local materials which could be used for constructing a goat house.
(c)(i) Name the three members of the honey bee colony. (ii) State five ways in which honey beekeeping is important.
(a) Explanation of Terms:
(i) Coprophagy: Process by which rabbits/animals reingest their soft feaces to recover lost nutrients. It helps the animals to utilize nutrients more efficiently. It is done in the early hours of the day.
(ii) Rumination: It is a process in which swallowed feed is regurgitated, rechewed, resalivated, and reswallowed by ruminants. It ensures that fibrous materials are reduced to smaller sizes for proper digestion. -It is done when the animal's at rest.
(iii) Candling: This is the process by which presumed fertile eggs are placed on a device called candler with a light source below in a dark room to detect the fertility of the egg. - It is done on the 9th and 19th day of incubation/ 14 days.
(iv) Tethering: This is a method of restraining in which an animal is tied to a stake using rope so that the animals' movement is restricted around the radius of the rope. it helps to prevent animals from destroying crop farms.
(b) Local Materials used for Constructing Goat House:
- Raffia/palm frond
- Grass/thatch.
- Plank/sticks/wood.
- Bamboo.
- Plantain/banana leaves.
- Clay/bricks.
- Rope/twine.
(c)(i) Members of Honey Bee Colony:
- Queen
- Drone/king
- Worker
- Brood
(ii) Importance of Honey bee Keeping:
- Production of honey/food/food for man,
- Production of enzymes/invertase.
- Production Serves as a means of employment.
- Sources as foreign exchange.
- Sources of Brood income
- Bee help to pollinate crops.
- Honey is medicinal.
- Educational/research.
Maelezo ya Majibu
(a) Explanation of Terms:
(i) Coprophagy: Process by which rabbits/animals reingest their soft feaces to recover lost nutrients. It helps the animals to utilize nutrients more efficiently. It is done in the early hours of the day.
(ii) Rumination: It is a process in which swallowed feed is regurgitated, rechewed, resalivated, and reswallowed by ruminants. It ensures that fibrous materials are reduced to smaller sizes for proper digestion. -It is done when the animal's at rest.
(iii) Candling: This is the process by which presumed fertile eggs are placed on a device called candler with a light source below in a dark room to detect the fertility of the egg. - It is done on the 9th and 19th day of incubation/ 14 days.
(iv) Tethering: This is a method of restraining in which an animal is tied to a stake using rope so that the animals' movement is restricted around the radius of the rope. it helps to prevent animals from destroying crop farms.
(b) Local Materials used for Constructing Goat House:
- Raffia/palm frond
- Grass/thatch.
- Plank/sticks/wood.
- Bamboo.
- Plantain/banana leaves.
- Clay/bricks.
- Rope/twine.
(c)(i) Members of Honey Bee Colony:
- Queen
- Drone/king
- Worker
- Brood
(ii) Importance of Honey bee Keeping:
- Production of honey/food/food for man,
- Production of enzymes/invertase.
- Production Serves as a means of employment.
- Sources as foreign exchange.
- Sources of Brood income
- Bee help to pollinate crops.
- Honey is medicinal.
- Educational/research.
Swali 4 Ripoti
(a) Complete the table below on forage crops
| Botanical name | Common name | Types of forage |
| Pennisetum purpureum | (i) | Grass |
| Calopogonium mucunoides | (ii) | (iii) |
| (iv) | stylo | (v) |
| Panicum maxinium | (vi) | (vii) |
| Mucuna utilis | (viii) | Legume |
(b)i. Define the term pasture
ii. State four ways in which grass-legume mixture is important in livestock production
(c) State six characteristics of rangelands
(a) Completion of Table on Forage:
(i) Elephant grass
(ii) Calopo/calopogomium
(iii) Legume
(iv) Stylosanthesgracilis/guinansis/hamata/humilis/scabia
(v) Legume
(vi) Guinea grass
(vi) Grass
(viii) Macuna
(b)(i) Definition of pasture: A piece of land on which grass and/ or legumes/herbage species are naturally found or deliberately grown for feeding livestock.
(ii) Importance of grass-legume mixture in livestock production:
- Provide a variety of forage.
- Provides high nutrient content balanced diet.
- Conserves soil water/ reduces evaporation.
- Grass improves soil structure.
- Control erosion.
- Yield of pasture is improved.
- Legumes supply nitrogen to the soil, thus enriching it.
- lncreases the energy level for livestock/food.
- Suppresses the growth of weeds.
- Forage combination is more acceptable to animals.
- Improves the nutrient level of forage.
(c) Characteristics of rangeland;
- Contains a variety of forage.
- Provides shade for animals.
- Can withstand trampling by farm animals
- High regenerative ability.
- Produces high yield of forage crops if properly managed.
- Habours disease
- Labour
- Labours pests.
- Extensive area of land for grazing/high density.
- Produces abundant seeds
- Prone frequent tire outbreak.
- Low nutritive value.
Maelezo ya Majibu
(a) Completion of Table on Forage:
(i) Elephant grass
(ii) Calopo/calopogomium
(iii) Legume
(iv) Stylosanthesgracilis/guinansis/hamata/humilis/scabia
(v) Legume
(vi) Guinea grass
(vi) Grass
(viii) Macuna
(b)(i) Definition of pasture: A piece of land on which grass and/ or legumes/herbage species are naturally found or deliberately grown for feeding livestock.
(ii) Importance of grass-legume mixture in livestock production:
- Provide a variety of forage.
- Provides high nutrient content balanced diet.
- Conserves soil water/ reduces evaporation.
- Grass improves soil structure.
- Control erosion.
- Yield of pasture is improved.
- Legumes supply nitrogen to the soil, thus enriching it.
- lncreases the energy level for livestock/food.
- Suppresses the growth of weeds.
- Forage combination is more acceptable to animals.
- Improves the nutrient level of forage.
(c) Characteristics of rangeland;
- Contains a variety of forage.
- Provides shade for animals.
- Can withstand trampling by farm animals
- High regenerative ability.
- Produces high yield of forage crops if properly managed.
- Habours disease
- Labour
- Labours pests.
- Extensive area of land for grazing/high density.
- Produces abundant seeds
- Prone frequent tire outbreak.
- Low nutritive value.
Swali 5 Ripoti
(a). Explain each of the following terms as used in livestock production. i. parasite; ii pest
(b). Name three: (i) ectoparasites of sheep; (ii) insect pests of sheep
(c). State four damages that could be caused by pests in cattle.
(d). Give six signs that could be observed in a sick rabbit.
(a). Explanation of terms used in livestock production: PARASITES (i) Parasites are organisms that in fest livestock. -They can be ectoparasites or endoparasites. – They obtain nutrients from animals. – Causes damage to the animal/host. (ii). Pest: - Pests are organisms that attack animals, stored products, animals' products and farm structures. - They could be insect or non- insect pests. – They cause damage to farm produce. - They contaminate produce.
(b)(i). Ectoparasites of sheep. - Lice. -Ticks. - Mites. Sheep keds. Fleas. - Bugs. – (ii). Insect pests of sheep - Housely. – Blowfly. Tsetse fly. Soldier ants. Wool maggot/maggot. Botfly/warble flies. Sheep lices/lice. - Biting midges/mites. -Black flies. -Mosquitoes. – Stable fly.
(c) Damage caused by Pests in cattle - Storage of blood/anaemia. -Could lead to death. -Coma. - Unthirfiness/rough coat. - Transmits diseases/vectors of diseases/sickness. -Irritation.– Damage the hide/reduces the quality of hide. - Loss ofyield/produce. -Causes wounds. -Reduces market value.
(d) Signs that could be observed in a sick rabbit: - Isolation. - Loss of appetite/ anorexia. -Loss of weight/emaciation. Oozing of blood from natural openings. -Rough fur/coat. - Swelling ofthe joints. - Increase in body temperature. - Diarrhoea. - Blood-stained faeces. - Anaemia, - Ocular discharge,- Ear discharge. - Nasal discharge. Pneumonia. – Coughing/sneezing. - Excessive salivation. - Distended stomach.-Lameness. -Coma.- Dullness/ unthriftiness, - Low water intake. Constipation. difficult breathing. death. - weakness. - Wobbly gait/waddling gait. - Undue noise making. Abortion.-Alopccia/loss of hair.
Maelezo ya Majibu
(a). Explanation of terms used in livestock production: PARASITES (i) Parasites are organisms that in fest livestock. -They can be ectoparasites or endoparasites. – They obtain nutrients from animals. – Causes damage to the animal/host. (ii). Pest: - Pests are organisms that attack animals, stored products, animals' products and farm structures. - They could be insect or non- insect pests. – They cause damage to farm produce. - They contaminate produce.
(b)(i). Ectoparasites of sheep. - Lice. -Ticks. - Mites. Sheep keds. Fleas. - Bugs. – (ii). Insect pests of sheep - Housely. – Blowfly. Tsetse fly. Soldier ants. Wool maggot/maggot. Botfly/warble flies. Sheep lices/lice. - Biting midges/mites. -Black flies. -Mosquitoes. – Stable fly.
(c) Damage caused by Pests in cattle - Storage of blood/anaemia. -Could lead to death. -Coma. - Unthirfiness/rough coat. - Transmits diseases/vectors of diseases/sickness. -Irritation.– Damage the hide/reduces the quality of hide. - Loss ofyield/produce. -Causes wounds. -Reduces market value.
(d) Signs that could be observed in a sick rabbit: - Isolation. - Loss of appetite/ anorexia. -Loss of weight/emaciation. Oozing of blood from natural openings. -Rough fur/coat. - Swelling ofthe joints. - Increase in body temperature. - Diarrhoea. - Blood-stained faeces. - Anaemia, - Ocular discharge,- Ear discharge. - Nasal discharge. Pneumonia. – Coughing/sneezing. - Excessive salivation. - Distended stomach.-Lameness. -Coma.- Dullness/ unthriftiness, - Low water intake. Constipation. difficult breathing. death. - weakness. - Wobbly gait/waddling gait. - Undue noise making. Abortion.-Alopccia/loss of hair.
Swali 6 Ripoti
a) (i) State Five benefits of keeping bees
(ii) Outline the steps involved in establishing an apiary
b) (i) State Five ways of enhancing the productivity of a pig farm
(ii) State Five management practices that are carried out on piglets from birth to weaning
(a) (i) Benefits of keeping bees;
- Honey production/food
- Employment/job creation
- Prevention of extinction of bees
- For research / education
- Kept for protection/security/defense
- Kept as hobby/leisure
- Bee sting is medicinal
- Source of foreign exchange
- Bees are pollinating agents of crops -
- Source of raw materials/propolis/wax/royal jelly
- Income generation/high marketability
- Biodiversity/maintenance of ecosystem
(ii) Steps involved in establishing an apiary;
- Site selection/identification of a suitable location=
- Clearing of the site/create a stand
- Installation of beehive/set up a beehive
- Bait the beehive/stock the beehive with bees
- Inspection for colonization/rebaiting/restocking
- Set up warning signs
(b) (i) Ways of enhancing the productivity of a pig farm;
- Ensure proper sanitation
- Minimize food wastage
- Give good quality feed/balanced
- Pest control
- Ensure proper record keeping
- Rear good quality breeds
- Provision of adequate water
- Brooding of piglets
- Regular deworming
- Provision of good housing
- Provision of wallowing facility
- Vaccination
- Training of farm workers
- Control of pests
- Good breeding programme/control of inbreeding
- Culling of diseased/unproductive/aggressive animals
- Sell at an appropriate age/adopt good marketing strategy
- Control disease/prevent disease outbreak/biosecurity/isolation of sick
- animals
- Administration of drugs
(ii) Management practices carried out on piglets from birth to weaning;
- Isolation of sick piglets
- Giving of iron injection
- Clipping of needle teeth
- Use of guard rails
- Allowing access to plenty of water
- Ensuring good sanitation
- Prevention of crushing/creep feeding
- Provision of veterinary care
- Provision of nutritious/balanced diet
- Fostering of orphaned piglets
- Proper identification of animals
- Provision of straw as bedding at early age
- Cutting of umbilical cord and apply a tincture of iodine
- Castration of males not required for breeding
- Clearing of mucous from the nostril
- Allowing access to colostrum/regular breastfeeding
Maelezo ya Majibu
(a) (i) Benefits of keeping bees;
- Honey production/food
- Employment/job creation
- Prevention of extinction of bees
- For research / education
- Kept for protection/security/defense
- Kept as hobby/leisure
- Bee sting is medicinal
- Source of foreign exchange
- Bees are pollinating agents of crops -
- Source of raw materials/propolis/wax/royal jelly
- Income generation/high marketability
- Biodiversity/maintenance of ecosystem
(ii) Steps involved in establishing an apiary;
- Site selection/identification of a suitable location=
- Clearing of the site/create a stand
- Installation of beehive/set up a beehive
- Bait the beehive/stock the beehive with bees
- Inspection for colonization/rebaiting/restocking
- Set up warning signs
(b) (i) Ways of enhancing the productivity of a pig farm;
- Ensure proper sanitation
- Minimize food wastage
- Give good quality feed/balanced
- Pest control
- Ensure proper record keeping
- Rear good quality breeds
- Provision of adequate water
- Brooding of piglets
- Regular deworming
- Provision of good housing
- Provision of wallowing facility
- Vaccination
- Training of farm workers
- Control of pests
- Good breeding programme/control of inbreeding
- Culling of diseased/unproductive/aggressive animals
- Sell at an appropriate age/adopt good marketing strategy
- Control disease/prevent disease outbreak/biosecurity/isolation of sick
- animals
- Administration of drugs
(ii) Management practices carried out on piglets from birth to weaning;
- Isolation of sick piglets
- Giving of iron injection
- Clipping of needle teeth
- Use of guard rails
- Allowing access to plenty of water
- Ensuring good sanitation
- Prevention of crushing/creep feeding
- Provision of veterinary care
- Provision of nutritious/balanced diet
- Fostering of orphaned piglets
- Proper identification of animals
- Provision of straw as bedding at early age
- Cutting of umbilical cord and apply a tincture of iodine
- Castration of males not required for breeding
- Clearing of mucous from the nostril
- Allowing access to colostrum/regular breastfeeding
