a) Mention five characteristics considered during selection of livestock for breeding.
b) State five characteristics of a Zebu cattle.
c) State five functions of water in farm animals.
d) List five nutritional disorders in farm animals
Explanation
(a) Characteristics considered during selection of livestock for breeding;
Productivity /yield/prolificacy Resistance to diseases Quality of product Early maturity/growth rate Adaptation to climatic conditions Good mothering ability Male with high libido Resistance to diseases Age of the animal Body form /conformation of livestock/body shape Economy in use of feed/feed conversion efficiency
(b) Characteristics of Zebu cattle;
Humped Large ears Horned Resistant to trypanosomiasis Large dewlaps Large size Tolerant to drought
(c) Functions of water in farm animals;
Helps in the excretion of waste products Lubricates joints Helps in blood circulation Helps in salivation Helps to maintain cell turgidity/body shape Osmoregulation Aids in digestion of feed/nutrient dissolution Needed for transporting nutrients to various parts of the body Helps to regulate body temperature/wallowing in pigs/body cooling/homeostasis Important constituents of milk, egg and meat
