Page 73 - Agriculture_Form_Three

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Surroundings security: Areas infested with wild animals and thieves should be
avoided, otherwise additional measures such as fencing or hiring guards should be
employed. Anything which might harm the livestock or cause hazards in the location
should be avoided or eliminated.

Labour: Honest, economic and regular supply of labour for housing management
has to be available.

Farm layout: Proper farm layout has to be considered. Livestock yards should be
constructed and situated in relation to feed storages, manure disposal pits and other
important structures and/or facilities in the farm. This will help to ensure proper
utilisation of labour. There should be sufficient space per animal for resting and
well-arranged facilities such as feeding/watering troughs. This will contribute to
yield improvement of animals and it also makes the work of the operator easier.
The relative position of the feed storerooms or sheds should be quite adjacent to the
livestock barn/pens. Generally, feed storages should be located near the centre of the
animals’ barn. Place for collecting produce such as milk and eggs should be located
almost at the centre of the barn. Likewise, the central main path should be well
designed with reference to feed storage, livestock pens and the place for collecting
produce. Similarly, isolation sheds have to be located away from the healthy animals’
pens, preferably at the corner of the main shed so that animals in these sheds are
not accessible to other animals. In addition, quarantine sheds should be located at
the entrance of the farm. This facilitates isolation of new animals purchased from
outside and those returning from a market or other places where they may have been
exposed to the risk of infection.

Activity 4.1
In groups, perform the following tasks:
1. Consider livestock species that are commonly kept in your area. Discuss how
their natural behaviours, environmental requirements and other important
considerations are adhered to in housing them.
2. Summarise your responses together with lessons learnt from this activity and
present them in class.

Exercise 4.1
Answer the following questions:
1. What are the characteristics of a proper housing for farm animals? Give any five
characteristics.

2. What are the condusive environmental requirements for establishing a livestock
house?

Student’s Book Form Three
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