Theory question 106
Poultry Production(a)(i) Explain the term brooding as used in animal husbandry. (ii) State four routine activities which are carried out in a brooder house. (b) State four effects of parasites in livestock production. (c) Mention four ways of controlling liver fluke in sheep production. (d)(i) Define the term artificial insemination as used in animal production. (ii) State four advantages of artificial insemination in cattle production.
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(a)(i) Brooding: the care and management of young chicks from day-old to about 6–8 weeks, providing artificial heat, feed, water and protection
(ii) Any four: feeding; watering; regulating temperature; cleaning feeders and drinkers; changing litter; vaccination and medication; removing dead chicks; record keeping
(b) Any four: cause loss of weight and poor growth; reduce milk, meat and egg production; cause anaemia; damage hides, skins and organs; transmit diseases; may cause death; increase cost of treatment
(c) Any four: drain swampy pastures; kill snails with molluscicides (e.g. copper sulphate); keep ducks to eat snails; avoid grazing on wet, swampy land; deworm sheep with flukicides; rotational grazing; fence off snail habitats
(d)(i) Artificial insemination: placing semen collected from a male into the reproductive tract of a female on heat by hand, without mating
(ii) Any four: one superior bull can serve many cows; reduces cost of keeping bulls; prevents spread of venereal diseases; semen can be stored and transported long distances; allows use of semen from dead or injured bulls; avoids injury to small cows from heavy bulls
Give precise definitions in (a)(i) and (d)(i).