Animal Husbandry Paper 2 WASSCE (SC), 2023

 

QUESTION 5
(a)        State six ways in which diseases could be controlled in sheep production.   [6 marks]
(b)        Give three ways in which decreased feed intake of the flock of sheep could be
improved.                                                                                                        [3 marks]
(c)        Explain each of the following methods of animal improvement:
(i)         introduction;
(ii)        selection;
(iii)       breeding.                                                                                             [6 marks]
(d)       State five aims of animal improvement.                                                         [5 marks]

Observation

 

Question 5 was popular among candidates and performance was above average. However, only few candidates could give ways of improving decreased feed intake in sheep.

The expected answers include:

  • Ways of controlling diseases in sheep production
  • Isolation of affected sheep
  • Treatment of affected sheep/appropriate medication
  • Follow the required vaccination regimes regularly
  • Quarantine new stocks before they are introduced on the farm
  • Ensure proper sanitary/hygienic conditions on the farm
  • Ensure proper biosecurity/provision of footbath
  • Avoid the flock straying away from the farm or mixing up with flock from other farms
  • Avoid stray animals on the farm
  • Restrict number of visitors on the farm
  • Dispose off dead animals/carcass properly
  • Avoid overcrowding in pens
  • Provide clean and adequate water regularly
  • Discard leftover/contaminated feed properly
  • Discard leftover water properly
  • Provide good housing
  • Proper feeding

 

  • Ways of improving decreased feed intake of the flock of sheep
  • Provision of balanced diet
  • Regular disease control
  • Regular pest control
  • Provision of clean and adequate water
  • Provide acceptable feed/feedstuff
  • Supply of salt/mineral lick
  • Controlled stocking
  • Adequate sanitation
  • Use of feed additives
  • Ensure adequate ventilation
  • Increase vitamin content in the diet/water
  • Allow enough space for exercise 
  • Deworming          
  • Offer varieties of feed                                                                                                                                                                                    
  • Explanation of methods of animal improvement
  • Introduction

This involves bringing breeds of animals with superior and desirable characters (traits) from another farm into the farmer’s farm

  • Selection

This involves deliberate choosing of animals with superior traits from a mixed population, for breeding

  • Breeding

Breeding involves the transfer of desirable traits to offspring through mating of animals or other breeding methods

  • Aims of animal improvement
  • High reproductive efficiency
  • High productivity/high yield
  • Good mothering ability
  • Cool temperament/ease of handling        
  • High libido
  • Resistance to pests
  • Resistance to diseases
  • High adaptability/adaptation to harsh environmental conditions
  • Improved quality of produce
  • Improved growth rate
  • Early maturity
  • Produce animals with high feed conversion efficiency