WAEC Animal Husbandry Syllabus

Objective

Candidates should know the meaning (rearing of farm animals), scope (nutrition, health, etc.) and importance (source of food, employment, income, etc.) of farm animals

Objective

Candidates should know and understand the problems in animal production in West Africa and possible solutions

Objective

Candidates should be able to describe quality and safety standards, practices for maintaining standards, effects of consuming poor animal products and roles of agencies involved in animal food product safety and quality

Objective

Candidates should be able to classify farm animals based on digestive system

Objective

Candidates should be able to distinguish traditional from non-traditional farm animals

Objective

Candidates should understand the terms anatomy and physiology and know the parts and positions of external parts (orientation) of farm animals e.g. the head of the cow is anterior to the hind limb or udder

Objective

Candidates should know the main features of the digestive systems of ruminants, non-ruminant herbivores and monogastrics and the differences in structure and functions

Objective

Candidates should understand digestion processes, the role of specific enzymes in digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, fats and oils, and the structures and processes involved in absorption of nutrients

Objective

Candidates should be able to identify the parts of the CNS and ANS and describe their mode of action

Objective

Candidates should know the functions of the ANS, explain how nerve impulses are transmitted and how homeostasis is ensured

Objective

Candidates should know what endocrine glands are, their location and functions; hormones, their functions and mode of action, and the need to administer synthetic hormones

Objective

Candidates should know the structure and functions of the integumentary (skin), skeletal and muscular systems

Objective

Candidates should understand reproductive terms e.g. puberty, oestrous cycle, oestrus/anoestrus, ovulation, fertilization, libido, and know the main features of the reproductive system of poultry and livestock

Objective

Candidates should know the functions of the organs and parts of the reproductive system

Objective

Candidates should describe the stages from puberty through mating to parturition, differences between poultry and livestock, and know reproductive hormones and their functions

Objective

Candidates should know the organs (heart, blood vessels), tissues (blood, lymph) and cells (blood cells) and their functions, and differences between pulmonary and systemic circulation

Objective

Candidates should know the meaning of heart and pulse rate and interpret their values

Objective

Candidates should understand the term respiration and its importance

Objective

Candidates should know the structure and functions of the parts of the respiratory system of livestock

Objective

Candidates should understand the term excretion and its importance

Objective

Candidates should know the structure and functions of the parts of the excretory system of livestock

Objective

Candidates should give examples of excretory products and how they are eliminated from the body

Objective

Candidates should understand the term nutrition, its role in animal production (e.g. improves body resistance, production level) and basic terms such as nutrients, diet, ration, roughages, malnutrition, concentrates

Objective

Candidates should know the differences in modes of feeding in non-ruminant herbivores, ruminants, carnivores and omnivores, and the influence of dentition on mode of feeding

Objective

Candidates should know feedstuffs and supplements, their main composition and the functions of the major nutrients

Objective

Candidates should be able to group feedstuffs according to the major nutrients they supply

Objective

Candidates should be able to use simple food tests to detect carbohydrates, fats and oils, and proteins in feedstuffs

Objective

Candidates should know major producers and suppliers of feedstuffs in the country

Objective

Candidates should understand terms such as dry matter, diet, metabolizable energy, malnutrition

Objective

Candidates should know factors such as age, physiological state of the animal and cost of feed ingredients

Objective

Candidates should be able to use the Pearson Square Method to formulate a balanced ration

Objective

Candidates should know the importance of feed storage and features of storage structures/containers

Objective

Candidates should know factors such as storage/ambient temperature, humidity, water content, pests and rodents, and follow practices in handling stored feed e.g. drying, fumigation

Objective

Candidates should be able to keep feed records and estimate the cost of prepared feed

Objective

Candidates should be able to identify common pests of stored feeds, their effects (damage, contamination), and preventive and control measures

Objective

Candidates should understand the terms disease, pest and parasite

Objective

Candidates should know the characteristics of healthy and sick animals and describe the signs and symptoms of disease in farm animals

Objective

Candidates should understand how factors such as overcrowding, poor nutrition and poor housing predispose animals to diseases, and know causes of stress and measures to reduce stress

Objective

Candidates should understand the effects on economic value of animals/products and income e.g. reduced value/output, loss of income, reduced quality of products

Objective

Candidates should understand the term zoonotic disease and its importance e.g. effect on human health and preventive methods

Objective

Candidates should know the classes of pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa)

Objective

Candidates should know common pathogenic diseases and their economic importance in animal production

Objective

Candidates should know principles (e.g. nutrition, vaccination) with respect to cost, suitability and efficiency, and use prophylactics (coccidiostat, antibiotics, anti-stress drugs, vitamins)

Objective

Candidates should know practices such as deworming, dipping, dusting, treatment of wounds and sores, spraying and fumigation of animal houses, drug administration and precautions in the use of drugs

Objective

Candidates should know the two main types of parasites (ecto and endoparasites) and examples

Objective

Candidates should know the structure, life cycle and mode of feeding of common endo- and ectoparasites

Objective

Candidates should know conditions that affect parasite population and how they could be changed to reduce it

Objective

Candidates should know measures such as deworming, drenching, dipping, farm sanitation, and the use of appropriate equipment and chemicals

Objective

Candidates should know the economic importance of ecto- and endoparasites (i) on the host e.g. ectoparasites damage skin and hides, suck blood; endoparasites damage internal organs; (ii) on animal products e.g. loss of income, increased expenditure due to control measures

Objective

Candidates should understand heredity and genetic terms (e.g. gene, genotype, phenotype, sex-linkage), cell division (meiosis and mitosis), inheritance of traits and Mendel's first law

Objective

Candidates should understand animal improvement and know its objectives and benefits e.g. disease resistance, better growth rate

Objective

Candidates should be able to analyze data to determine superiority of improved animals based on genotype and phenotype

Objective

Candidates should know methods (introduction, selection, breeding), types of breeding (e.g. cross breeding, line breeding) and their advantages and disadvantages

Objective

Candidates should know the nutritional and environmental factors that affect animal improvement

Objective

Candidates should understand the term A.I., describe the technique and name tools and equipment used

Objective

Candidates should know the advantages of A.I.

Objective

Candidates should be able to detect heat through signs of heat and know proper handling in collection and storage of semen

Objective

Candidates should know what constitutes the internal environment (e.g. blood glucose level, body temperature) and external environment (e.g. ambient temperature, humidity, wind) and examples of acceptable levels

Objective

Candidates should know the role of these systems in environmental awareness, responses to stimuli and maintenance of homeostasis e.g. normal levels of body temperature, respiration and heart rate

Objective

Candidates should know physiological and behavioural responses to heat, cold, exercise, and be able to use equipment for measuring temperature, humidity, respiration rate and heart beat, and interpret the data

Objective

Candidates should know indirect and direct effects of climate (e.g. disease prevalence, feed quality and quantity, heat stress, increased abortion) and understand thermo-neutral zone and optimum temperature in relation to productivity

Objective

Candidates should know ways of modifying the environment (housing, shading, cooling) and management (better feeding, time of grazing), and stress-minimizing strategies e.g. house design and lay-out, cool water, modified feeds, proper timing of drug administration

Objective

Candidates should understand the term poultry and know its characteristics e.g. possession of beaks, wings, feathers

Objective

Candidates should know the types of poultry e.g. chicken, turkey, ducks, guinea fowls and ostriches

Objective

Candidates should know breeds: chicken e.g. Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock; guinea fowl e.g. Grey, Red-wattled (Pearl variety); turkey e.g. Broad Breasted Bronze; ducks e.g. Muscovy, Khaki Campbell; ostriches e.g. Blue Neck, Red Neck

Objective

Candidates should know the importance of producing the various types of poultry

Objective

Candidates should know the extensive, intensive and semi-intensive systems and their advantages and disadvantages

Objective

Candidates should understand terms such as fertile egg, hatchability, incubation and broodiness; differentiate natural and artificial incubation; select eggs for hatching; know incubation periods and conditions; describe the incubation process and hatchery practices (fumigation, temperature); understand candling; and know techniques and precautions for marketing day-old chicks

Objective

Candidates should know housing, breeding, brooding, feeding, sanitation, pest and disease control, identification and record keeping

Objective

Candidates should know slaughtering and processing, quality control, packaging, preservation and storage, marketing outlets, transportation and advertisement

Objective

Candidates should know prospects, consumer preferences, market availability and cost

Objective

Candidates should know types of pig (bacon, lard and pork types), breeds (e.g. Yorkshire, Ashanti Black, Large White, Landrace) and their characteristics

Objective

Candidates should know the importance to the economy i.e. source of employment, income, insulin used in pharmaceutical industries

Objective

Candidates should describe intensive, semi-intensive and extensive systems and their advantages and disadvantages

Objective

Candidates should know management practices e.g. breeding, housing and feeding

Objective

Candidates should know techniques of slaughtering, processing and marketing e.g. bacon making, quality control, packaging, storage, marketing outlets and advertisements

Objective

Candidates should know the meaning of 'pet' (e.g. cat, dog, parrot) and the roles pets play e.g. security, income, shepherding, companionship

Objective

Candidates should know housing, feeding, sanitation, breeding, grooming and care, pests and diseases and their control; and the importance of pet licencing and regular vaccination

Objective

Candidates should know animal behaviour and reasons for training of pets

Objective

Candidates should know marketing strategies and the value chain process in the marketing of pets

Objective

Candidates should know common breeds, their geographical distribution, distinguishing features between sheep and goats, and characteristics of breeds e.g. body size, hair cover and horn shape

Objective

Candidates should know the social (e.g. religious), economic (income, hides and skin for leather) and nutritional (meat) importance, and production requirements using a value chain approach

Objective

Candidates should know hoof trimming, housing, feeding, sanitation, disease and pest control, and determine age of sheep and goats by dentition

Objective

Candidates should know common parasites (ticks and worms) and diseases (e.g. anthrax, mastitis, foot rot), signs/symptoms and control measures

Objective

Candidates should know techniques to ensure meat quality, safety and consumer satisfaction including slaughtering and processing, quality control, preservation and storage, packaging, advertising and marketing outlets

Objective

Candidates should know common breeds of beef cattle in West Africa and Europe and their characteristics and general structure

Objective

Candidates should know the nutritional value of beef, use of hides, horns, bones and manure, and social and economic value of beef and live cattle

Objective

Candidates should know systems e.g. extensive, pastoral, agro-pastoral, semi-intensive, intensive feedlot, pastures, their characteristics, strengths and weaknesses

Objective

Candidates should know the requirements (value chain approach), selection of management system, foundation stock, and qualities of bulls and cows selected for traction

Objective

Candidates should have skills in housing, feeding, breeding, fattening etc. and knowledge of training of yoked cattle

Objective

Candidates should know techniques of slaughtering and processing of carcass, maintenance of safety standards, packaging and sale of meat products

Objective

Candidates should know negative effects of poor management on the environment, feed and water shortages, cattle theft, pests etc. and their solutions

Objective

Candidates should know examples of pure and cross bred dairy breeds in tropical and temperate regions and distinguishing features of a dairy cow

Objective

Candidates should know composition and nutritional value of fresh milk, sources of milk (goats, sheep, buffaloes, camels and cattle) and importance of milk including food, income, employment, trade

Objective

Candidates should know requirements using a value chain approach e.g. market demand, inputs for wholesome milk, and selecting suitable breeds and management systems

Objective

Candidates should know symptoms and methods of controlling mastitis, tuberculosis and ketosis

Objective

Candidates should know equipment for milking, milk handling and processing; pasteurization; products e.g. yoghurt, cottage cheese, tinned milk, powdered milk; consequences of consuming contaminated milk; quality and safety standards; packaging, storage and marketing

Objective

Candidates should know effects of warm climate on dairy animals and milk production and the solutions

Objective

Candidates should understand terms e.g. pasture, pasture rotation, stocking rate, range, forage crops

Objective

Candidates should know natural/range and artificial/cultivated pastures and their features

Objective

Candidates should know the role of forage and pasture crops in animal production

Objective

Candidates should know factors e.g. rainfall, soil fertility, temperature, weeds

Objective

Candidates should know common and scientific names of major forage crops and their classification

Objective

Candidates should know poisonous plants in pasture e.g. Lantana camara, Crotalaria rotundus

Objective

Candidates should know qualities e.g. high productivity, palatability and fast growth

Objective

Candidates should know cultural practices e.g. site selection, land preparation, methods of propagation (seeding, vegetative means), their merits and demerits

Objective

Candidates should understand the need and techniques for improving natural pastures

Objective

Candidates should have skills in managing cultivated pastures e.g. control of fire, proper stocking rate, disease prevention and control

Objective

Candidates should know tools/equipment for harvesting forage crops and yield determination

Objective

Candidates should know forage conservation and its importance, forms of conserved forage (hay and silage), and differences between hay and silage based on physical, chemical and nutritive properties

Objective

Candidates should know processes and precautions e.g. cutting herbage at the right time, proper compacting, use of additives

Objective

Candidates should know types of crop residue and merits and demerits of using residue for feeding ruminants

Objective

Candidates should know common breeds of rabbits and grasscutter

Objective

Candidates should know the importance e.g. source of meat, pelt, income

Objective

Candidates should know housing, feeding, sanitation, breeding, disease and pest control and record keeping

Objective

Candidates should know activities involved in processing and marketing of rabbits and grasscutter

Objective

Candidates should know the meaning and importance of snail farming

Objective

Candidates should know external features of snails and their functions

Objective

Candidates should know types of species used for snail farming

Objective

Candidates should know factors to consider in site selection

Objective

Candidates should know housing, feeding, sanitation, breeding, pest and disease control, record keeping, processing and marketing

Objective

Candidates should know steps involved in processing snails and marketing

Objective

Candidates should know animal production enterprises, and factors to be considered and procedures in establishing an animal production enterprise

Objective

Candidates should be able to identify common types and breeds of farm animals

Objective

Candidates should be able to classify farm animals based on type of digestive system i.e. ruminants, non-ruminant (monogastrics) and non-ruminant herbivores

Objective

Candidates should be able to describe the orientation of external parts, draw and label animals and their parts, and identify and draw major anatomical structures in the various body systems, differences between the structures and their functions

Objective

Candidates should be able to identify common feedstuffs and supplements (e.g. maize, fish meal, oyster shell) and state the major nutrients; perform simple food tests for carbohydrates, fats and oils and protein; formulate feed using the Pearson Square Method, estimate cost of prepared feed and keep feed records; identify pests of stored feed and feedstuffs, their effects and control

Objective

Candidates should be able to identify the main pests and parasites (ectoparasites and endoparasites), their effects and control, and draw and label the life cycles of tapeworm and roundworm

Objective

Candidates should be able to identify main diseases and causal agents, and know simple preventive and control measures (drenching, dipping, spraying, vaccination) and the equipment and tools used

Objective

Candidates should be able to identify the tools and equipment used in artificial insemination and their uses

Objective

Candidates should be able to identify and use equipment to determine parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, respiration rate and heart beat, and interpret the data

Objective

Candidates should be able to identify tools and equipment used for housing, breeding, brooding, feeding, identification, debeaking, castration, dehorning and candling, and their maintenance

Objective

Candidates should be able to identify animal products and by-products such as milk, skin, blood meal and feathers, and know their uses

Objective

Candidates should be able to identify forage crops (e.g. Panicum maximum), poisonous plants (e.g. Lantana camara), conserved forage (hay and silage), and tools and equipment used in cultivation and management of pastures and conservation of forage

Objective

Candidates should be able to identify suitable materials for constructing animal houses and structures (e.g. cement, bamboo, wire mesh, wood) and appropriate structures for various farm animals (e.g. hutches for rabbits, open-sided houses for pigs)