Page 138 - Agriculture_Form_Three

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Chapter

Six

Management of livestock health

Introduction
People keep livestock for different purposes in order to get animal products such as
meat, eggs, milk, skin and wool. For the animals to produce optimally, they need to be
in good health throughout their life. In this chapter, you will learn about the meaning
of livestock health, conditions of healthy and unhealthy animals including livestock
vices, causes of poor health in livestock, and management of livestock health. You will
also learn about parasites in livestock. The competencies that will be developed in
this chapter will enable you to identify unhealthy animals and causes of poor health
by considering clinical signs learnt. You will also be able to manage health of your
livestock so as to maximise production and profits.

The meaning of livestock health

Health is a state of wellbeing in which all the body organs and systems are normal
and functioning well. It is freedom from diseases and abnormalities. Any change
from normal state or any process which disrupts an animal’s normal function is
referred to as ill health.

Conditions of healthy and unhealthy animal
Livestock keepers must observe animals closely to keep individual animals and
flock or herd in good health and productive. When the animal falls sick, it shows
some signs/behavioural deviation from the normal healthy animals. Table 6.1 shows
some signs of healthy and unhealthy animals while Figures 6.1 to 6.4 illustrate some
examples of healthy and unhealthy signs in farm animals.

Table 6.1: Some of good health versus unhealthy signs in farm animals

S/N Attribute/Parameter Health signs/behaviour Unhealthy signs/behaviour
1. Appearance and Normal posture and Poor gait, drowsy, dull
behaviour appearance, alert, clear eyes, running nose,
eyes, responds well to salvation, lacrimation,
touch/stimuli droopy ears
2. Movement Stands and walks Lameness, that is, cannot
properly stand or walk properly

Student’
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