(a) Explain each of the following terms as used in animal production: (i) flushing: (i) dystocia: (iii) parturition.
(b) State five ways in which fencing is important in livestock production.
(c) Mention five ways in which rearing of rabbits is important.
(d) List four disadvantages of deep litter system in poultry production.
Explanation
(a) Explanation of Terms:
(i) Flushing: -It is the act of giving extra nutritious feed to female animals (mostly pigs and small ruminants) before mating to enhance the release of more ova/to enhance multiple births.
(ii) Dystocia: - It is referred to as abnormal or difficult birth in farm animals occasioned by mal-presentation and abnormal positioning of foetus in the uterus. -It can also be caused by small pelvis of dam, large foetus, foetal abnormalities and uterine and vaginal rupture.
(iii) Parturition: -The act of giving birth in livestock which is influenced by hormones.
(b) Importance of Fencing in Livestock Production:
- Helps to control and handle animals.
- Protects animals from consuming crops sprayed with chemicals
- prevents animals from destroying crop farms.
- Protects animals from theft.
- Protects animals from predators.
- Helps to separate animals into groups.
- Helps to divide pasture into paddock.
- Helps to practice controlled grazing.
(c) Importance of Rearing Rabbits:
- Highly prolific/can produce many litters at a time.
- Can convert less quantity of feed to high quality products, e.g. forage/high feed efficiency.
- Small capital is needed for establishing rabbitry.
- Space requirement is minimal.
- Serves as companion animal/'pet.
- Breeding/mating is easy due to spontaneous ovulation.
- Used for research purposes/educational.
- Serves as a good source of animal protein/rabbit meat is white, tender and nutritious/food for humans.
- Have short gestation period.
- Source of income.
- Attain maturity weight early.
- Source of employment.
(d) Disadvantages of Deep
- Wastage of feed by birds is high.
- Cannibalism and egg pecking can occur.
- Eggs are prone to breakage
- Litter System of Rearing Poultry:
- Requires large quantity of litter which add to cost of production.
- Eggs are often dirty due to dirty litter.
- High spread of disease.
- Difficult to detect unproductive birds.
- High infestation of parasite.
- High ammonia build-up.
- Difficult to detect sick birds/weak birds.