Observation

Question 3 was quite popular among the candidates although
            (a)        few candidates failed to use an adjective to qualify the factors that could
                        predispose livestock to diseases e.g ‘breeds of animals’ instead of ‘poor breeds
                        of animals ’; thus losing marks. Some candidates also wrote biological factors,
                        economic factors, environmental factors etc;
                (b)        many candidates could not state the symptoms of coccidiosis in poultry.

The expected answers include:

(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 environment
• Overcrowding/overpopulation
• Poor breeds of animals⁄ inbreeding depression/poor resistance
• Poor housing
• Improper use of drugs
• Improper use of equipment
• Harsh weather conditions
• Injury⁄ wounds
• Roaming of animals
• Prevalence of insect pests
• Poor quality water
• Poor quality feed
• Low immunity

 (c)       (i)         Effects of ticks on farm animals

• Act as vectors of diseases eg tick fever, heart water disease
• Cause great discomfort/irritation to their hosts
• Injuries from their bites may become ulcerated wounds
• Injuries caused may become sources of secondary infection
• Damage of the skin by tick on host reduces the quality of skin or hides/market value
• Sucks blood of the host leading to anaemia
• 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 be hand-picked from the body of the host animal
• Keep away stray animals
• Heat treatment of pens
• Use footbath regularly
• Burn infested pasture

                                                                                                                       
(d)       Symptoms of coccidiosis in poultry
-    Blood stained diarrhea                               -    Drooping wings
-    Loss of appetite                                         -    Emaciation
-    Huddling (crowding together of birds)     -    Anaemia
-    Dullness and unthriftiness                         -    Rough feathers
-    Constipation or scouring                           -    Death
-    Drop in egg production                             -    Laying of small eggs
-    Laying of shelless eggs                             -    Coma
-    Loss of yellow colour in shank                 -    Pale comb and wattles
-    Dehydration