(a). Complete the table below on the gestation period of farm animals.
| Animal | Gestation period (days) |
| Sheep | (i): |
| Rabbit | (ii): |
| Cattle | (iii): |
(b). State five ways in which good housing is important for farm animals.
(c). Explain each of the following management practices in animal production. i. teeth clipping: ii. foster mothering: iii. docking
(d)(i). Define the term dystocia. (ii). State four causes of dystocia in farm animals.
Explanation
(a) Completion of table on the gestation period of farm animals
| Animal | Gestation period (days) |
| Sheep | (i): 137 - 152 |
| Rabbit | (ii): 30 - 32 |
| Cattle | (iii): 280 - 283 |
(b) Importance of good housing unit for Farm Animals.- Ensures protection from rain/cold weather/inclement weather. -Protects animal from the direct rays of sunlight. – Restricts movement of animals. – Controls pest infestation. – - Protects animals from theft. - Protects animals from predators. – Ensures controlled breeding. -Minimizes loss of products e.g. eggs. - Minimizes destruction of products. - It eliminates destruction of neighboring properties. - Elimination of conflict over ownership of animals for easy handling.
(c) Explanation of management practices in animal production i. Teeth clipping: - Cutting of the four canine teeth in piglet. - Helps to prevent injuries to the teat. -Prevents injuries to other piglets during nursing. ii. Foster mothering: - This is the act in which a nursing dam takes care of young ones as well as her own. It ensures all young animals have access to care. – It reduces mortality in orphan animals. Dam could be stressed due to the extra care of additional young ones. iii. Docking: - This is the removal or shortening of the tail of an animal. – It is done to prevent staining of the tail with fecal materials. – It is done to prevent tail biting among pigs.
(d)(i). Definition of Dystocia: This refers to difficult or abnormal birth in livestock. (ii). Causes of Dystocia in farm animals. -Malpresentation of foetus during parturition. – Small pelvis of the dam relative to the size of foetus. Foetal abnormalities/oversize foetus. Uterine and vaginal rupture. - Undernutrition leading to loss of energy during partition.