WAEC Animal Husbandry 2024 Theory question 103

Theory question 103

Animal Improvement and Breeding

(a) Explain each of the following terms as used in animal breeding; (i) breed; (ii) genotype; (iii) hybrid. (b) Give four disadvantages of inbreeding in farm animals (c) Give two examples of lifestock feedstuff under each of the following categories: (i) plant protein sources; (ii) animal protein sources; (iii) fibre sources. (d) Mention four factors which hinder the adoption of artificial insemination in West Africa.

Show the model answer
Model answer

(a)(i) Breed: a group of animals of the same species with similar characteristics that pass these on to their offspring
(ii) Genotype: the genetic make-up of an animal for a trait, e.g. TT, Tt, tt
(iii) Hybrid: the offspring of parents of different breeds or genetic types
(b) Any four: reduced vigour (inbreeding depression); lower fertility; slower growth; more harmful recessive defects; lower disease resistance; higher death rate of young
(c)(i) Plant protein, any two: groundnut cake; soya bean meal; cottonseed cake; palm kernel cake
(ii) Animal protein, any two: fish meal; blood meal; meat and bone meal; feather meal
(iii) Fibre, any two: wheat offal; rice bran; maize bran; hay; corn cob; brewers' dried grain
(d) Any four: lack of trained inseminators; high cost of equipment and liquid nitrogen; poor storage facilities and electricity; poor heat detection; extensive/nomadic herding; illiteracy and beliefs of farmers; poor roads to reach farms; few AI centres

Explanation

Short definitions with an example.