Observation

This question was fairly attempted by the candidates. The question sought to test candidates’ knowledge of rabbit production. Majority of the candidates could give the reasons for keeping rabbits and products obtained from rabbit production. However, most candidates do not know the gestation period of rabbits and therefore, could not calculate the kindling date of rabbit. Furthermore, candidates do not know how to control ear mange in rabbits.       

The expected answers include:

2. (a)  Reasons for keeping specimen E (Rabbit)
-         Food/meat/protein       -         Income
-         Employment        -         Raw material/pelt/fur/wool/bone
-         Research purposes    -         Manure/dung
-         As pets/recreation/hobby/shows/exhibitions

    (b)  Products that could be obtained from specimen E (Rabbit)

   -      Meat       -         Pelt/skin     -         Bone
-    Fur / wool       -         Manure/dung

(c)  Gestation period = 30 to 32 days/ 31± 1 days                                                  
May 12 + 31 ± 1 day = June 12, 2016 

  Expected kindling date = June 12 ± 1 day
i.e. June 11 to June 13, 2016                                                                                                                                                
     (d) Ways of controlling ear mange in rabbits
-         Use of sulphur ointments/oils    -         Good sanitation
-         Use of recommended drugs/acaricides/ivomectin
-         Quarantine / Isolation

     (e) Endoparasites of Rabbits
-         Tapeworm/Taenia    -         Pinworm/Threadworm
-         Roundworm/Ascaris   -         Coccidia
-         Liver fluke          -         Hookworm
-         Trypanosome

          Ectoparasites of Rabbits
-    Tick       -         Louse       -         Flea
-    Mite/ear mite/keds -   Maggot/larvae of house fly