LIVESTOCK FARMING PRACTICAL ANSWERS ✅

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QUESTION 1

(1a) Three uses each of Specimens A, B and C in animal husbandry:

A (Cutlass):

• Clearing bushes/vegetation around animal pens.
• Cutting fodder/forage crops for feeding animals.
• Harvesting feed crops for animals.

B (Shovel):

• Removing dung/manure from animal pens.
• Digging/burying dead animals.
• Spreading manure onto farmland.

C (Wheelbarrow):

• Transporting feed/fodder to animals.
• Conveying manure from pens.
• Transporting farm tools and equipment around the farm.

(1b) One precaution when using Specimen A: Keep the blade away from the body to avoid injury and store safely when not in use.

(1c) Five ways of maintaining Specimen C:

• Oil/grease the wheel axle regularly.
• Inflate the tyre when flat.
• Clean thoroughly after use.
• Store in a dry place to prevent rusting.
• Paint metal parts to prevent corrosion.

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QUESTION 2

(2a) Four benefits of raising Specimen D (Rabbit):

• They reproduce rapidly with a short gestation period.
• They require little space for housing.
• They provide meat for human consumption.
• Their droppings serve as organic manure for crops.

(2b) Three materials for housing Specimen D:

• Wire mesh/netting.
• Wood/timber.
• Concrete blocks/iron sheets.

(2c) Three functions each of Specimens E and F:

E (Liver):

• Detoxifies harmful substances in the blood.
• Produces and secretes bile for fat digestion.
• Stores glycogen as an energy reserve.

F (Kidney):

• Filters blood to remove waste products (urea).
• Regulates water balance in the body.
• Maintains blood pH and electrolyte balance.

(2d) Two other organs that perform similar function as Specimen F:

• Skin — excretes salts and urea through sweat.
• Lungs — excretes carbon dioxide and water vapour.

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QUESTION 3

(3a) One common use of Specimens G, H and J: Identification/marking of farm animals.

(3b) Two advantages each of Specimens G, H and J:

G (Oil paint/Dye):

• Cheap and easily available.
• Painless and harmless to the animal.

H (Branding iron):

• Marking is permanent and long-lasting.
• Marks are clearly visible from a distance.

J (Tags):

• Can carry detailed information such as name, number and date of birth.
• Easy to read and update animal records.

(3c) One disadvantage each of Specimens G, H and J:

G: Not permanent — fades or washes off over time.

H: Painful and causes stress/injury to the animal.

J: Can fall off easily and may cause ear infections.

(3d)(i) One use of Specimen K (Burdizzo): Used for bloodless castration of male farm animals by crushing the spermatic cord.

(3d)(ii) Two advantages of using Specimen K:

• It is bloodless, so there is no risk of wound infection.
• Recovery is faster compared to surgical castration.

(3d)(iii) Two disadvantages of using Specimen K:

• May be ineffective if not applied correctly.
• Requires skill and expertise to use properly.

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QUESTION 4

(4a)(i) One primary host of Specimen M (Tapeworm):

• Human.

(4a)(ii) Two secondary hosts of Specimen M:

• Cattle/Cow.
• Pig.

(4b)(i) Three effects of Specimen M (Tapeworm) in farm animals:

• Causes weight loss and emaciation.
• Reduces productivity.
• Causes digestive disorders such as diarrhoea and pot belly.

(4b)(ii) Three effects of Specimen N (Tick) in farm animals:

• Causes anaemia through constant blood-sucking.
• Transmits diseases such as East Coast Fever and Babesiosis.
• Damages the hide/skin, reducing its market value.

(4c) Three ways of controlling Specimens M and N:

M (Tapeworm):

• Regular deworming with anthelmintics.
• Proper disposal of animal faeces on the farm.
• Practising rotational grazing to break the life cycle.

N (Tick):

• Regular dipping or spraying of animals with acaricides.
• Rotational grazing — leaving pastures fallow to starve ticks.
• Clearing bushes around animal pens and paddocks.