(a) Name four breeds of chicken used for commercial egg production. 14 marks] (b) State

Explanation

(a) Breeds of chicken used for commercial egg production

-White leghorn Rhode Island Red

- New Hampshire

- Plymouth Rock

-Anstralop

- Brown Leghorn

- Light Sussex

- Barred Plymouth Rock

(b) Functions of the following components in the diet of farm animals

(i) Water

-The bodies of most animals contain 55 - 65% Water/ Constituent body fluid and blood

- Helps to digest feed

- Helps to get rid of waste materials

-Constituent of many body fluids and blood

-Involved in body metabolism

- Regulates body temperature

- Involved in the production of saliva

-Helps to maintain body turgidity

- Helps in the transport of nutrients

- Solvent for most body nutrients

(ii) Minerals

- Required by the body in certain quantities to ensure good health and productivity

-Present in muscles for muscle contractions

- Comprise about 3% of animal body

- Constituent of milk, egg and meat

-Maintain pH balance of body fluids/Acid-base balance

-Help in the formulation of hormones

-Regulate blood clotting

- Prevent diseases

- Promote body growth

-Help in formation of haemoglobin and protein/ constituent of protein

-Help in bone and teeth formation/prevent tooth decay

- Help in proper functioning of the nervous system.

(iii) Antibiotics

-Help the body to fight disease-causing micro-organisms

-Improve early growth of poultry, pigs and non-ruminants generally

-Increase absorption of nutrients from the digestive tract

-Help to heal sores/wounds in animals at

(iv) Protein

- Protein is used in the building of flesh/muscles

- Repairs worn-out tissues

-Helps in the formation of digestive juices and other intestinal secretions (enzymes and hormones)

-Protein may supply energy to the body

-Helps in the building of protective covering (skin/hair/feathers/wools/nails)

- It is a constituent of blood

-Required for the growth of young animals

-Helps in the formation of eggs and milk

-Helps in the formation of reproductive gametes

(c) Advantages of the intensive system of rearing ruminants

-It gives animals protection against environmental hazards/exposure to adverse weather conditions

-There is proper supervision of animals

-Record keeping is made easier

-It allows for automation e.g. use of automatic feeders and drinkers

-Protection against theft

-Protection against predators

-Indiscriminate mating is reduced

-Sick animals are easily identified

-Reduces incidence of disease infection

-Reduces incidence of pest infestation

-Ensures adequate and balance feeding

-Ensures provision of better health care

-Animals do not destroy farmers crops

-Allows efficient use of labour

-High stocking density for all species of animals

-It gives animals protection against physical hazards

-It enhances performance of the animals