Theory question 105
Animal Improvement and Breeding(a) Mention five characteristics considered during selection of livestock for breeding. (b) State five characteristics of a Zebu cattle. (c) State five functions of water in farm animals. (d) List five nutritional disorders in farm animals.
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(a) Any five: high production (milk, meat, eggs); fast growth rate; good feed conversion; disease resistance; high fertility/prolificacy; good mothering ability; good conformation and health; adaptation to the environment; docility
(b) Any five: has a hump over the shoulders; long legs; large dewlap and loose skin; drooping ears; long horns (e.g. White Fulani); tolerant of heat and ticks; susceptible to trypanosomiasis; found in the dry northern savanna
(c) Any five: regulates body temperature; medium for chemical reactions; dissolves and transports nutrients and wastes; part of body fluids such as blood and milk; aids digestion and excretion; lubricates joints; keeps cells turgid/maintains body shape
(d) Any five: rickets; milk fever (hypocalcaemia); grass tetany (hypomagnesaemia); anaemia; goitre; bloat; ketosis; scurvy/vitamin deficiencies (night blindness); white muscle disease; pica
Give five distinct points for each part.