(a) Define each of the following terms as used in animal health: (1) pests (ii) pathogen (iii) vectors (iv) parasites [8 marks]
(b) Give one example of an organism described by each of the terms in 7(a) above. [14 marks]
(c) State four steps involved in silage making. [4 marks]
Explanation
(a) Definition of terms as used in Animal Health
(i) Pests: Pests are organisms, which through their feeding habits, cause physical damage and/or discomfort to other organisms called hosts,
(ii) Pathogens: These are micro-organisms that cause diseases in farm animals
(iii) Vectors: Vectors are also pests, which besides causing physical damage to the host, transmit disease causing organisms to farm animals.
(iv) Parasites: Parasites are a class of organisms that five on or in their host permanently. They establish a physiological relationship with the hosts and rely on them totally for food and protection.
(b) Examples of Pests: – Mites, Lice, Ticks, Houseflies, Mosquitoes, Sandflies, Tsetse flies
Pathogens: – Bacteria, Fungi, Viruses, Protozoa
Vectors: – Tsetseflies, Ticks, Mites, Fleas
Parasites: – Ticks, Dice, Mites, Fleas, Liverflukes, Tapeworms – Roundworms.
(c) Steps involved in silage making:
- Dig the silage pit
- Cut the fresh grass/forage before flowering
- Wilt for few hours/day
- Collect the wilted forage and lay it at the bottom of the pit to a reasonable level
- Add ash/urea sprinkled on it
- Compress and add another layer of wilted forage, compress and add further ash/urea-fertilizer
- Add more wilted forage, ash/urea and compress until pit is filled
- Finally compress and then cover with tarpaulin or plastic polythene sheet
- Leave to ferment with minimum of 2 – 4 weeks