Page 262 - Agriculture_Form_Three

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Feed the mixture to each new-born hygienically. The amount to be fed will depend
on whether it is a calf, lamb or piglet.

Teeth clipping: This is a practice performed in piglets to cut the needle teeth or
temporary tusks. If these teeth are not removed, they may injure the teats of the sow
during suckling or injure each other. Needle teeth are cut using teeth clippers on the
first to second days after birth.

Identification: This is a practice of marking the animal in order to identify it. This is
normally done at young stage. Animal identification is the basis for keeping accurate
records, that is, parentage, birth date, production records, health, history and other
important managerial information of the animal, herd or flock. This is done by

putting marks on the body of the animal. Identification is governed by factors such
as cost of the practice, easiness of application, legibility, susceptibility to alteration
and permanence. The importance of identification includes:

(a) Sign of ownership of an animal: Where theft is a problem, it is required for the
owner to identify his property before prosecution can take place.

(b) Facilitating proper record keeping, for example, age of an animal, pregnancy
status, etc.
(c) Giving identity to an animal especially in larger herds.

(d) Facilitating efficient management of the herd, for example, treatment, vaccination
and feeding.
(e) Enabling identification of lost, stolen or strayed stock.

(f) Enhancing accuracy in research and other management practices.
The following sections will give description on the common methods of identification
of farm animals for meat production.

The common identification methods include ear tagging, ear notching and hot-iron
branding, and tattooing.

Ear tagging: This is a method of identification where metallic or plastic plates with
numbers or letters on them are fixed onto ears of animals to identify the animal by
letter or number. Ear tag is fixed on the ear using an applicator. The disadvantage of
the method is that, tags can be lost. The method is commonly used in cattle, sheep

and goats. Figure 11.4 (a) shows a cattle with plastic ear taggs while Figure 11.4 (b)
shows an ear tagging applicator, that is, pliers and plastic ear tag.

Student’
Student’s Book Form Twos Book Form Three
251

10/01/2025 12:32
AGRICULTURE FORM 3 9.11.2022.indd 251
AGRICULTURE FORM 3 9.11.2022.indd 251 10/01/2025 12:32