WAEC Animal Husbandry Questions 2, 4, 5, 1, and 7 And Answers For 2022

Animal Husbandry Question 2 Answers and Observation For 2022

This question was fairly attempted by the candidates.  In 2(a), most of the candidates were able to state the characteristics of West African goats.  However, in 2(b), most of the candidates were unable to discuss the management of goats under breeding, care of kids, identification, and castration.

The expected answers include:

2  (b)   Management of goats

(i)         Breeding
–           Goats should be bred when they are at least 8-9 months old for the male and 12-15 months for the female/attainment of puberty
–           Unwanted males should be castrated or disposed of while good
males are retained
–           Males should be separated from females at the weaning stage where
possible
–           Female should be flushed before mating
–           One buck can mate eighteen to twenty five does
–           Signs of heat should be identified/observed

(ii)        Care of kids
            –        Clean the mucous membrane when the kid is born
–        Dip navel of the kid in Iodine solution
–        Provide warmth when necessary
            –        Ensure that kids suckle or are provided with colostrum
–           Provide foster mother or milk substitute if necessary
–           Introduce kids to solid feed/weaning at six to eight weeks
–           Provide creep feed
–           Provide salt lick
–           Maintain proper sanitation
–           Undertake routine medication/vaccination
–           Isolate sick animals
–           Castrate kids not required for breeding
–          Isolate dam and kid from the herd to avoid trampling
–           Separate kids from dams during grazing periods

(iii)       Identification

–           Determine the appropriate identification method e.g. ear notching,
ear tagging, neck chaining, collar paint, branding, body/hair cutting
–          Ensure proper record of animals for breeding, culling, selection,
medication purposes
–          Inspect the animals regularly to ensure that their identification
marks are intact
–          Replace lost identities/re-embossed faded marks
–          Prompt treatment of injuries that may arise during and after
identification process

(iv)       Castration

–           Male kids not required for breeding should be castrated
–           Castration should be done before four months old
–           Determine the type of castration to be carried out e.g. close castration,
using the burdizzo or elastrator or open castration, using sterilized sharp knife
or blade or scarpel
–           Castration is done to remove the characteristic odour
–           Isolate castrated goats from the herd for close monitoring
–          During the healing process ensure regular cleaning of the wound
with appropriate antiseptics
–          Administer prescribed drugs to goat after castration
–          Ensure that animal is kept on high plane of nutrition during the
period of castration
–          Supply clean water regularly
–          Ensure proper sanitation in pens where castrated goats are kept
–          Close monitoring of the animal to determine the effectiveness of
the castration

Animal Husbandry Question 4 Answers and Observation For 2022

This question was well attempted by the candidates.  In 4(a-b), most of the candidates were able to define the term animal husbandry as well as state the ways in which farm animals are important to humans.

Also, in 4(c)(i-ii), most of the candidates were able to explain the terms ovulation and oestrus. More so, in 4(d), majority of the candidates were able to list the signs that indicate that a ewe is approaching parturition. However, most of them were unable to determine the expected date of lambing of the ewe as required in 4(e).

The expected answers include:

(4) (e)  Determination of expected date of lambing of the ewe

Gestation period for ewe = 140 – 150 days

Duration of gestation
May = 31 days
June = 30 days
July = 31 days
August = 31 days
September= 17 – 27 days
Lambing date = September 22+5 days

Animal Husbandry Question 5 Answers and Observation For 2022

This question was fairly attempted by the candidates.  In 5(a-b), the majority of the candidates were able to list the classes of animal feed and state the functions and sources of protein in animal feed.  However, most of them were unable to explain how  age, physiological state and purpose of keeping an animal affect feed formulation for farm animals as required in 5(c)(i-iii).  More so, majority of them could not state the precautions to be taken to ensure the preparation of good quality feed for layers as required in 5(d).

The expected answers include:

5(c)     Explanation of factors that affect feed formulation for farm animals

(i)         Age of animal

–           It determines the nutrient level of feed to be formulated
–           It also determines the size of the particles of the feed
–          It determines the type/form of the feed

(ii)       Physiological state of animal

–           It has to do with the health status of animal i.e. whether it is sick or well
–           Also relates whether the animal is pregnant, dry or lactating, laying, growing
–         Determine the type of feed to be fed to an animal

(iii)       Purpose of keeping the animal

Feed formulated depends on the type of product/objective/output expected from the animal e.g. meat, egg, wool, draught/power/work

(d)  Precautions to be taken to ensure the preparation of good quality feed for   
layers

–           Obtain good quality ingredients
–           Ensure correct formulation of feed using appropriate ratio(e.g. energy/protein ratio, minerals, vitamins)
–           Mill to right particle size
–           Ensure thorough mixing of feed
–           Pack in a suitable container
–           Store in an appropriate place
–           Ensure hygienic conditions in the mixing parlor (mill)/hygienic environment

Animal Husbandry Question 1 Answers and Observation For 2022

This question was fairly attempted by the candidates.  In 1(a-b), majority of the candidates could neither name the main regions of the vertebral column of a sheep nor state the specialized functions of the regions of the vertebral column of a sheep.However, in 1(c)(i – ii), most of the candidates were able to explain the terms lactation and rumination. They were also able to give the reasons for providing a new-born calf with colostrum as required 1(d).
The expected answers include:

1 (a)    Main regions of the vertebral column of a sheep

–           Cervical/neck region
–           Thoracic/chest region
–           Lumbar/abdominal region
–           Sacral/pelvic region
–           Coccygeal/caudal/tail region

(b)       Specialized functions of the regions of the vertebral column of a sheep

Cervical/neck region: Allows head movement in all directions/supports the head

Thoracic/chest region: Site of attachment of the ribs/supports the ribs

Lumbar/abdominal region: Site of attachment of epaxial muscles and muscles for  breathing/supports the abdominal region

Sacral/pelvic region: Site of attachment of hind limbs/pelvic girdle

Coccygeal/caudal/tail region:  Site for insertion of the muscles that move the tail / supports the tail