Theory question 106
Poultry Production(a) Mention three equipment used in incubation of eggs. (b) State five measures a livestock farmer could adopt to control diseases on the farm. (c) Enumerate four advantages of artificial insemination (d) Discuss two methods of animal improvement.
Show the model answer
(a) Any three: incubator; egg candler; thermometer; hygrometer; egg trays; egg turner; fumigation equipment
(b) Any five: vaccination; good sanitation/cleaning of pens; isolating/quarantining sick and new animals; regular deworming and dipping/spraying; balanced feeding; avoiding overcrowding; using disease-resistant breeds; proper disposal of dead animals; footbath at farm entrance; prompt treatment by a veterinarian
(c) Any four: semen of one superior male can serve many females; reduces cost of keeping males; prevents spread of venereal diseases; semen can be stored and transported long distances; allows use of semen from very heavy or dead males; makes record keeping and breeding programmes easier; avoids injury to small females
(d) Any two methods, each explained: Selection – choosing animals with desirable traits as parents and culling the poor ones; Breeding/mating systems – inbreeding (mating closely related animals to fix traits), outbreeding/crossbreeding (mating unrelated or different breeds to gain hybrid vigour), line breeding; Introduction of exotic breeds; Artificial insemination; Improved management (feeding, health) so animals reach their genetic potential
For (d), name the method and explain how it improves the animals.