(a) Explain the following terms as used in animal production:
- Malnutrition
- Weaning
- Heat period
- Candling
(b)Distinguish between maintenance ration and production ration in animal nutrition.
(c)State three effects of malnutrition on farm animals.
(d)State five effects of deforestation.
Explanation
(a) Explanation of terms used in animal production
(i) Malnutrition
Malnutrition is a condition that results when an animal is fed on a diet that is deficient in quantity and quality of the essential nutrients in the right proportion.
(ii) Weaning
Weaning is the process whereby young animals are removed from their mothers and fed with feed that is different from their mother’s milk.
(iii) Heat period
It is the period during which the female animal is ready and willing to receive the male animal for mating.
(iv) Candling
This is the process of identifying and separating fertile eggs from non-fertile ones by the use of light.
(b) Distinction between maintenance ration and production ration
Maintenance ration is the amount of feed given to farm animals to keep their live-weight constant.
Whereas
Production ration is the ration that is supplied over and above that required for maintenance for production purpose.
(c) Effects of malnutrition on farm animals
- Slow or retarded growth
- Low production e.g. reduced egg production, decrease in milk yield
- High susceptibility to diseases
- High morbidity rate among older animals
- Physical deformities e.g. rickets, osteomalacia
- Loss in weight/emaciation
(d) Effects of deforestation
- Increases soil erosion
- Destruction of hydrological cycle
- Low soil nutrients
- Loss of soil organic matter
- Leaching
- Reduction in soil microbial activities
- Permanent destruction of indigenous forests
- Desert encroachment/desertification
- Loss of biodiversity/imbalance in the ecosystem
- Destruction of hydrological cycle
- Increase in atmospheric carbon(IV)oxide concentration
- Destruction of micro climate/increased environmental temperature
- Reduces wildlife population in the area