Question 4
The diagram below illustrates a housing unit for raising livestock. Study it and answer the questions that follow.
(a) Identify the housing unit illustrated in the diagram. (1 mark)
(b) Give three examples of farm animals that could be reared in the illustrated
housing unit. (3 marks)
(c) Mention three materials that could be used as beddings in the illustrated
housing unit. (3 marks)
(d) List four equipment that are required in the illustrated housing unit (4 marks)
(e) State four disadvantages of using the illustrated housing unit to rear layers. (4 marks)
Observation
Question 4 was the most popular question and candidates’ performance was
impressive. Few candidates were however unable to state the disadvantages
of rearing layers in a deep litter house.
The expected answers include:
4. (a) Identification of housing unit
- Deep litter house
(b) Examples of farm animals that could be reared in the deep litter housing unit
- Pig - Rabbit
- Sheep - Quail
- Goat - Turkey
(c) Materials that could be used as beddings in the deep litter house
- Straw - Groundnut shell
- Saw dust - Sugarcane bagasse
- Wood shavings - Crushed maize cobs
(d) Equipment required in the deep litter housing unit
- Feeders - Electric bulb
- Drinkers - Hygrometer
- Thermometer - Weighing scale
- Laying boxes
(e) Disadvantages of rearing layers in the deep litter housing unit
- Encourages the build-up of pathogens
- Increases incidence of cannibalism
- Increases incidence of egg sucking in laying birds
- Increases the incidence of soiled/dirty eggs
- Makes culling of unproductive /sick birds difficult
- Requires a lot of space
- Increases wastage of feed
- Increases wastage of water