Page 257 - Agriculture_Form_Three

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Animal species Growing stage Name of herd group

Rabbits Adult females Does
Males Bucks
Growing animals Weaners
Nursed stage Kittens

Housing management of livestock kept for meat

The mode of housing of the animals for meat production depends on the planned
system of production as described in the previous section. Housing structures for
various production systems have been detailed in Chapter Four. Houses must be well
ventilated and various equipment such as feeders, drinkers and handling facilities
(crush) must be provided. Figure 11.5 shows some structures and equipment in a
feedlot system of rearing beef cattle.

Figure 11.5: Housing in feedlot system for beef cattle
Source: https://www.beefcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Sapphire-feedlot-1.jpeg
In addition, farrowing crates for pigs and nest boxes for rabbits are necessary thus
you should ensure that they are available and well placed in the specific animal
house. In pig rearing, the sow and its piglets must be protected from cold by
providing quantities of good dry bedding. A movable farrowing crate can be used
To prevent the sow from crushing her piglets where the farrowing pen does not have
piglet rails. This is a kind of cage that confines the sow and limits her movements.
The farrowing crate depends on the size of the sow where for a small sow the crate
should measure about 60 cm × 180 cm and for a larger sow 65 cm × 220 cm. In
rabbit production, large enough hatches/cages must be provided in the nests to fit
the nesting boxes.

Student’s Book Form Three
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AGRICULTURE FORM 3 9.11.2022.indd 246 10/01/2025 12:32