Observation

1. Most candidates were unable to explain malnutrition, weaning, heat period and candling in concise words.


2. Candidates also omitted the use of conjunction in distinguishing between maintenance and production ration.



 

The expected answers include:

1. Explanation of terms used in animal production
   1. Malnutrition

      Malnutrition is a condition which results when an animal is fed on a diet which is deficient in quantity and quality of the essential nutrients in the right proportion.

   2. Weaning

      Weaning is the process whereby young animals are removed from their mothers and fed with feed that is different from their mother’s milk.

   3. Heat period

      It is the period during which the female animal is ready and willing to receive the male animal for mating.

   4. Candling

      This is the process of identifying and separating fertile eggs from non-fertile ones by the use of light.




2. Distinction between maintenance ration and production ration

   Maintenance ration is the amount of feed given to farm animals to keep their live-weight constant

   Whereas

   Production ration is the ration that is supplied over and above that required for maintenance for production purpose.




3. Effects of malnutrition on farm animals
   • Slow or retarded growth
   • Low production e.g. reduced egg production, decrease in milk yield
   • High mortality rate among young animals
   • High morbidity rate among older animals
   • High susceptibility to diseases
   • Physical deformities e.g. rickets, osteomalacia
   • Loss in weight/emaciation




4. Effects of deforestation
   - Increases soil erosion
   - Low soil nutrients
   - Destruction of hydrological cycle
   - Loss of soil organic matter
   - Reduction in soil microbial activities
   - Leaching
   - Permanent destruction of indigenous forests
   - Desert encroachment/desertification
   - Loss of biodiversity/imbalance in the ecosystem
   - Destruction of hydrological cycle
   - Increase in atmospheric carbon(IV)oxide concentration
   - Destruction of micro climate/increased environmental temperature
   - Reduces wildlife population in the area