Observation

Majority of the candidates did not understand the reason for adding common salt to livestock feed apart from improving its taste and the effects of its excessive consumption by poultry. Some candidates were stating the effects of excessive consumption of salt by humans.
In Question 3(d), many candidates were mentioning ‘contamination’ as the effect of improper storage of groundnut cake. This is a generalized statement as contamination could be due to pest infestation, mould, aflatoxin e.t.c.

The expected answers include:

3.  (a)   Major nutrient supplied

• Specimen G (Common salt) – Mineral/Na/Cl
• Specimen H (Maize grains) – Carbohydrate
• Specimen J (Groundnut cake) – Protein

(b)        (i)         Benefits derived from feeding livestock with Specimen G (Common salt)

• Prevention of diseases/keep animals healthy
• Improve acceptability/palatability of feed
• Increases productivity
• Supplies sodium-chloride ion/maintain mineral balance in animals
• Improves muscles/nerves/immune system functioning
• Helps in digestion and assimilation of nutrients
• Helps to prevent dehydration

            (ii)        Effects of excessive consumption of Specimen G (Common salt) by poultry

• Predisposes cannibalism/vent pecking
• Reduces feed intake
• Watery droppings/wet litter
• Death
• Increased water intake
• Egg shell defects
• Severe respiratory distress
• Incoordination/weakness

(c)        Alternative feedstuff for specimen H (Maize grains)

• Other cereal crops such as wheat, rice, sorghum, barley and by products
• Root and stem tubers such as yam, cassava, cocoyam, chips/flakes
• Bread fruit
• Plantain

(d)       Effects of improper storage of specimen J (Groundnut cake) in animal production
-    Mould/fungal infection                  -    Pests attack/insect infestation
-    Aflatoxin                                       -    Rancidity
-    Discoloration                                 -    Death
-    Reduced productivity                    -    Disease in animals/liver cirrhosis