WAEC SSCE - Animal Husbandry - 2025 (Essay)

(a) Explain each of the following mating methods in farm animals: (i) hand mating (ii) pen mating (iii) pasture mating.

(b)(i) Mention two advantages of each of the mating methods explained in (a).
(ii) Mention two disadvantages of each of the mating methods explained in (a).

(c) Mention two methods of collecting semen from a bull.

Idahun

(a) Explanation of Mating Methods in Farm Animal:

(i) Hand mating - It is a mating method in which the farmer identifies the female on heat and bring it together with the male for mating.

(ii) Pen mating - In this method. a group of male and female animals are kept together in an acceptable ratio for mating in the same pen/ enclosure.

(iii) Pasture mating - This is a mating method in which male and female animals are allowed to run together and mate freely/female animals on heat are mated by any of the males in the group.

(b)i) Advantages of Mating Methods:

(1) Hand mating:

The line of offspring can easily be identified hence records can also be adequately kept.
Indiscriminate mating is prevented/mating can be scheduled.
It can prevent inbreeding.
The frequency of use of male can be regulated.
Desired characteristics can be preserved.
It is possible to calculate the probable date of parturition.

(2) Pen mating:

It required less labour.
Does not need experienced handlers.
Female animals are more aroused and receptive
Degree of successful mating is high.
Cost of keeping animals is low.

(3) Pasture mating:

Conception rate is higher because the chances of missing heat is lower.
Requires low labour input.
Low housing cost since male and female animals are housed together.
Females on heat are easily detected by the males
Aggressive and high libido males can easily be identified.
Animals have access to regular exercise.

(ii) Disadvantages of Mating Methods:

(1) Hand mating:

It requires experienced handlers to detect heat.
The cost of keeping male and female animals separately is high.
Requires more labour.
Heat may go undetected.
Male and female animals may reject each other resulting in unsuccessful breeding.

(2) Pen mating:

Record keeping is difficult.
Competition could occur among males leading to injury/death.
The males may be overworked and easily exhausted.
The sire may not be known.
Mating may not occur due to male competition.
0ver mating of females may occur leading to bleeding/injury/death.

(3) Pasture mating:

It may be difficult to identify the sire
Competition among males may lead to injury of males.
Record keeping is difficult.
Competition among males could lead to failed mating.
Over mating of females can lead to bleeding/injury/death.

(c) Methods of Semen Collection from Bull:

Use of dummy/teaser.
Use of artificial vagina.
Use of electro-ejaculator/electrical ejaculation.
Use of hand massage.

Awọn alaye Idahun

(a) Explanation of Mating Methods in Farm Animal:

(i) Hand mating - It is a mating method in which the farmer identifies the female on heat and bring it together with the male for mating.

(ii) Pen mating - In this method. a group of male and female animals are kept together in an acceptable ratio for mating in the same pen/ enclosure.

(iii) Pasture mating - This is a mating method in which male and female animals are allowed to run together and mate freely/female animals on heat are mated by any of the males in the group.

(b)i) Advantages of Mating Methods:

(1) Hand mating:

The line of offspring can easily be identified hence records can also be adequately kept.
Indiscriminate mating is prevented/mating can be scheduled.
It can prevent inbreeding.
The frequency of use of male can be regulated.
Desired characteristics can be preserved.
It is possible to calculate the probable date of parturition.

(2) Pen mating:

It required less labour.
Does not need experienced handlers.
Female animals are more aroused and receptive
Degree of successful mating is high.
Cost of keeping animals is low.

(3) Pasture mating:

Conception rate is higher because the chances of missing heat is lower.
Requires low labour input.
Low housing cost since male and female animals are housed together.
Females on heat are easily detected by the males
Aggressive and high libido males can easily be identified.
Animals have access to regular exercise.

(ii) Disadvantages of Mating Methods:

(1) Hand mating:

It requires experienced handlers to detect heat.
The cost of keeping male and female animals separately is high.
Requires more labour.
Heat may go undetected.
Male and female animals may reject each other resulting in unsuccessful breeding.

(2) Pen mating:

Record keeping is difficult.
Competition could occur among males leading to injury/death.
The males may be overworked and easily exhausted.
The sire may not be known.
Mating may not occur due to male competition.
0ver mating of females may occur leading to bleeding/injury/death.

(3) Pasture mating:

It may be difficult to identify the sire
Competition among males may lead to injury of males.
Record keeping is difficult.
Competition among males could lead to failed mating.
Over mating of females can lead to bleeding/injury/death.

(c) Methods of Semen Collection from Bull:

Use of dummy/teaser.
Use of artificial vagina.
Use of electro-ejaculator/electrical ejaculation.
Use of hand massage.

Wo Idahun

Ibeere 2 Ìròyìn

(a) Explain each of the following terms as used in animal production: (i) flushing: (i) dystocia: (iii) parturition.

(b) State five ways in which fencing is important in livestock production.

(c) Mention five ways in which rearing of rabbits is important.

(d) List four disadvantages of deep litter system in poultry production.

Idahun

(a) Explanation of Terms:

(i) Flushing: -It is the act of giving extra nutritious feed to female animals (mostly pigs and small ruminants) before mating to enhance the release of more ova/to enhance multiple births.

(ii) Dystocia: - It is referred to as abnormal or difficult birth in farm animals occasioned by mal-presentation and abnormal positioning of foetus in the uterus. -It can also be caused by small pelvis of dam, large foetus, foetal abnormalities and uterine and vaginal rupture.

(iii) Parturition: -The act of giving birth in livestock which is influenced by hormones.

(b) Importance of Fencing in Livestock Production:

Helps to control and handle animals.
Protects animals from consuming crops sprayed with chemicals
prevents animals from destroying crop farms.
Protects animals from theft.
Protects animals from predators.
Helps to separate animals into groups.
Helps to divide pasture into paddock.
Helps to practice controlled grazing.

(c) Importance of Rearing Rabbits:

Highly prolific/can produce many litters at a time.
Can convert less quantity of feed to high quality products, e.g. forage/high feed efficiency.
Small capital is needed for establishing rabbitry.
Space requirement is minimal.
Serves as companion animal/'pet.
Breeding/mating is easy due to spontaneous ovulation.
Used for research purposes/educational.
Serves as a good source of animal protein/rabbit meat is white, tender and nutritious/food for humans.
Have short gestation period.
Source of income.
Attain maturity weight early.
Source of employment.

(d) Disadvantages of Deep

Wastage of feed by birds is high.
Cannibalism and egg pecking can occur.
Eggs are prone to breakage
Litter System of Rearing Poultry:
Requires large quantity of litter which add to cost of production.
Eggs are often dirty due to dirty litter.
High spread of disease.
Difficult to detect unproductive birds.
High infestation of parasite.
High ammonia build-up.
Difficult to detect sick birds/weak birds.

Awọn alaye Idahun

(a) Explanation of Terms:

(i) Flushing: -It is the act of giving extra nutritious feed to female animals (mostly pigs and small ruminants) before mating to enhance the release of more ova/to enhance multiple births.

(ii) Dystocia: - It is referred to as abnormal or difficult birth in farm animals occasioned by mal-presentation and abnormal positioning of foetus in the uterus. -It can also be caused by small pelvis of dam, large foetus, foetal abnormalities and uterine and vaginal rupture.

(iii) Parturition: -The act of giving birth in livestock which is influenced by hormones.

(b) Importance of Fencing in Livestock Production:

Helps to control and handle animals.
Protects animals from consuming crops sprayed with chemicals
prevents animals from destroying crop farms.
Protects animals from theft.
Protects animals from predators.
Helps to separate animals into groups.
Helps to divide pasture into paddock.
Helps to practice controlled grazing.

(c) Importance of Rearing Rabbits:

Highly prolific/can produce many litters at a time.
Can convert less quantity of feed to high quality products, e.g. forage/high feed efficiency.
Small capital is needed for establishing rabbitry.
Space requirement is minimal.
Serves as companion animal/'pet.
Breeding/mating is easy due to spontaneous ovulation.
Used for research purposes/educational.
Serves as a good source of animal protein/rabbit meat is white, tender and nutritious/food for humans.
Have short gestation period.
Source of income.
Attain maturity weight early.
Source of employment.

(d) Disadvantages of Deep

Wastage of feed by birds is high.
Cannibalism and egg pecking can occur.
Eggs are prone to breakage
Litter System of Rearing Poultry:
Requires large quantity of litter which add to cost of production.
Eggs are often dirty due to dirty litter.
High spread of disease.
Difficult to detect unproductive birds.
High infestation of parasite.
High ammonia build-up.
Difficult to detect sick birds/weak birds.

Wo Idahun

Ibeere 3 Ìròyìn

(a) Name the five main regions of the vertebral column of a sheep.

(b) State one specialized function of each of the regions of the vertebral column of a sheep.

(c) Explain each of the following terms as used in Animal husbandry:

(i) lactation;
(ii) Rumination.

Idahun

Wo Idahun

Ibeere 4 Ìròyìn

(a) State five ways of improving pasture.

(b) Name live organs of the digestive system of a. rabbit.

(c) State five precautions that should be taken in dipping of sheep.

Idahun

Wo Idahun

Ibeere 5 Ìròyìn

(a) State four ways in which livestock 1s important

(b)i. Mention sIx organs associated with the digestive system in rabbits.

(ii) State two functions of the alimentary canal in livestock

(c)i. State lour functions of the liver in farm animals

(ii) Mention two parasites that could be found in the liver of cattle

(d) State two differences between the digestive s systems of a goat and a rabbit

Idahun

Wo Idahun

Ibeere 6 Ìròyìn

(a) Explain the term malnutrition in farm animals.

(b) Distinguish between maintenance ration and production ration.

Idahun

Wo Idahun

Goat	Rabbit
- Has four-chambered stomach - Complete defaecation - Harbours microbes in the rumen - Provides fatty acids in the rumen - Synthesizes vitamin B-complex in the rumen.	- Possesses one stomach - Practices coprophagy/incomplete defaecation - Harbours microbes in the caecum - Digestion further occurs in the caècum - Vitamin B-complex is synthesized in the caecum

Goat	Rabbit
- Has four-chambered stomach - Complete defaecation - Harbours microbes in the rumen - Provides fatty acids in the rumen - Synthesizes vitamin B-complex in the rumen.	- Possesses one stomach - Practices coprophagy/incomplete defaecation - Harbours microbes in the caecum - Digestion further occurs in the caècum - Vitamin B-complex is synthesized in the caecum






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