(a) (i) What is culling? (ii) Give three reasons why culling is practised in livestock management. (b) State three advantages and three disadvantages of each of the following management systems in poultry production: (i) deep litter system; (ii) battery cage system.
(a)(i) Culling is the practice of removing all diseased or unproductive animals from the flock. (ii) Reasons for culling are: (1) Culling prevents the spread of diseases among animals. (2) It helps to get rid of unproductive animals. (3) It prevents overcrowding and reduces vices among birds. (4) It enhances the growth rate of the healthy animals (5) It also reduces losses that could have been incurred on feeding unproductive animals.
(b)(i) The advantages of deep litter system are: (1) Deep litter system makes it possible to raise many birds under one roof. (2) The method makes birds to be completely under the control of the farmer. (3) Labour is also minimized through the system, as birds are all together. (4) The security of the birds is guaranteed as birds are protected from thieves and predators. (5) The system favours the production of fertile eggs. (6) It is a good system for raising broilers. (7) The capital to start the system is minimal.
The disadvantages of the system are:- (1) It leads to overcrowding which can bring about cannibalism, feather pecking and egg eating. (2) The system requires an efficient management. (3) Diseases can spread fast among the birds (4) A lot of energy is expended by birds as they roam about. (5) A large amount of feed is wasted during feeding.
(ii) The advantages of the battery cage system are: (1) Battery cage system is suitable in areas where land is scarce. (2) It helps the farmer to keep proper record on the individual performance of birds. (3) The extent of cannibalism and other vices is reduced and this ensures that birds are protected from predators. (4) it is a good system for commercial and industrial egg production. (5) The system makes it possible for birds to eat and drink at a relative comfort. (6) It makes it easy to dispose of the waste (litter) and clean the house.
The disadvantages of the system are: (1) The system is very expensive. (2) It requires a very efficient management. (3) Birds are denied enough exercise. (4) Diets must be properly balanced at extra cost. (5) The system also brings about leg weakness and leg fatigue among birds.
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