This question was fairly attempted by the candidates. Most of the candidates were unable to list viral and protozoan diseases of livestock as required in 8(a). Also, they could not state the sanitation practices that help to prevent the outbreak of diseases on livestock farms as required in 8(b). However, in 8(c-d), majority of the candidates were able to define ovulation and lactation and list the classes of animal feeds based on their nutrient composition. Although in 8(e), most of the candidates were unable to mention the methods of improving local breeds of farm animals.
The expected answers include:
8. (a) Viral and protozoan diseases of livestock
Viral
- Foot and mouth disease
- Rinderpest/cattle plague
- Newcastle disease
- Bird flu/Avian influenza
- Gumboro
- Swine fever
- Fowl pox
- Marek’s disease
Protozoan
- Trypanosomiasis/nagana/sleeping sickness
- Coccidiosis
- Red water disease/Piroplasmosis
- East-coast fever/Theileriosis
- Leishmaniasis
(b) Sanitation practices on livestock farms
- The animal house should be cleaned regularly
- Foot dip should be provided at the entrance of animal house
- The number of people entering the animal house should be minimized
- Routine inoculations and vaccinations should be carried out
- Deworming should be carried out regularly
- Prompt removal of sick and dead animals
- Dead animals should be buried deep or burnt to avoid the spread of infection
- Over-crowding should be avoided
- Veterinary attention should be sought regularly to reduce the chance of
heavy losses through diseases
- Proper ventilation
- Procurement of stock from disease-free farm
- Regular supply of clean feed and water
- Avoid stocking together of animals of different ages and species
- Use of different personnel for different animal houses
- Disinfect livestock house regularly
- Change bedding materials/litter regularly
- Regular cleaning of livestock equipment
(e) Methods of improving local breeds of farm animals
Introduction
Selection
Breeding
The expected answers include:
7(c) Functions of nutrients in the diet of farm animals
- Vitamins
- Regulate metabolic activities (Vit. B)
- Essential for healthy growth
- Help in the clotting of blood (Vit. K)
- For fertility in farm animals (Vit. E)
- For proper vision/eye sight (Vit. A)
- For bone and teeth formation (Vit. D)
- Proteins
- Help in tissue formation
- Essential in cell maintenance
- Repair of worn-out tissues
- Help in egg, milk and blood production
- Very essential in the growth of young animals
- Essential in the formation of enzymes
- Provide structural body building units for growth
- Essential in the formation of oxygen-carrying pigment of the
blood(haemoglobin)
- For the development of protective covering such as hooves, hair, horn
and feathers
- Production of antibodies and hormones
- Carbohydrates
- Production of energy
- Can be converted and stored as fat
- Help in milk production |
