Form 4 Agriculture Notes

Form 4 Agriculture Notes

Form 4 Agriculture Notes

K.C.S.E (Online Revision)

Livestock Production V (Poultry)

Introduction

  • Poultry industry in Kenya has developed tremendously due to the use of artificial incubation and brooding and easy availability of hybrid birds, both layers and broilers.
  • Poultry production has become an easy source of income and food for the rural as well as the urban communities.
  • The term poultry includes domestic birds such as turkeys, ducks, geese, pheasants, doves and pigeons.
  • Of late ostrich farming has become a lucrative activity.
  • Poultry production starts with incubation of eggs.Parts of an Egg

    Parts of an Egg

     

  • Shell> Forms 10-12% of the whole egg content.> Made of calcium and phosphorus.> Protects the inner egg contents.
  • Shell membrane> Made of inner and outer membranes.> Lining of the egg shell.> Constitutes 1 % of the total egg content.
  • Albumen (egg white)> About 55-60% of the total egg content.> It is divided into chalaza, thick and thin albumen.> Chalaza holds the egg yolk in position.> Albumen serves as food for the chick. 
  • Yolk> 30-33% of the total egg content.> Supply embryo with nutrients.
  • Germinal disc -The embryo which develops into a chick if fertilized.
  • Vitelline membrane – Gives the yolk its round shape.
  • Air sac> Keeps the egg fresh by allowing gaseous exchange.> Provides oxygen for the embryoEgg Candling:
  • This is the practice of determining the internal qualities of an egg by examining it against a light source.Procedure
  • The egg is placed on a hole made on a cardboard box.
  • This is called a candling box.
  • A source of light is placed in the box directly under the egg.
  • The observer then looks through the egg against the source of light below.
  • Abnormalities on and within the egg can be seen through the translucent shell. incubation
  • Involves the provision of fertile eggs with the proper condition for embryonic development.Selection of Eggs for incubation
  • Should be fertile.
  • Should be of medium size about 55- 6ogms in weight.
  • Should have smooth shell.
  • Should be oval shaped.
  • Should not be cracked.
  • Eggs should be clean to ensure that pores are open.
  • Should not have abnormalities such as blood spots, meat spots and double yolk.
  • Eggs should not be more than 5 days old.
  • Eggs should be fresh that is collected within one week. internal egg qualities can be determined through the egg candling process.Methods of incubationNatural Incubation
  • This involves the use of a broody hen which sits on the eggs to provide them with conditions necessary for hatching.
  • Takes 20-21 days.
  • The hen is given about 10-15 eggs.Signs of Broodiness in Poultry
  • Tendency to sit on an egg after laying.
  • Moulting of the hen.
  • Making some noise at the laying nests.
  • Feathers are raised.
  • It becomes aggressive when disturbed.
  • It stops laying.Preparation and Management of Natural lncubation

2024 FORM 1 2 3 4 REVISION RESOURCES

  1. FORM 1 2 3 4 TERM 1 2 3 OPENER , MID AND END TERM EXAMS
  2. 1995-2024 KCSE KNEC PAPERS QUESTIONS,ANSWERS AND REPORT
  3. 2008-2024 KCSE FORM 4 COUNTY MOCKS
  4. FORM 1 2 3 4 SCHEMES OF WORK
  5. FORM 1 2 3 4 LESSON PLANS
  6. FORM 1 2 3 4 CLASS REVISION NOTES
  7. FORM 1 2 3 4 TERM 1 2 3 HOLIDAY ASSISNMENTS
  8. FORM 3 4 SETBOOKS STUDY GUIDES
  9. FORM 1 2 3 4 TOPICAL TESTS
  10. FORM 1 2 3 4 REVISION BOOKLETS
  11. LIFE SKILLS NOTES
  12. FORM 1 2 3 4 SYLLABUS
  13. KENYA SCHOOL CODES
  14. HOW TO REVISE AND PASS EXAMS
  15. GUIDANCE AND CONSELLING NOTES
  • The hen is given “China eggs” to sit on to induce broodiness.
  • When broody the hen should be provided with a nesting nest or a saucershaped nest scooped on the ground.
  • The nest shall be lined with soft bedding and fertile eggs provided.
  • The eggs are set in the evening or night.
  • The bird is dusted to control externa parasites.
  • The hen is allowed t hour outside to feed and exercise everyday.
  • Broken eggs should be removed immediately.
  • The hen s ould not be disturbed.Advantages of Natural Incubation
  • It is cheap.
  • High hatchability.
  • Low risk involved.
  • Useful in small scale production.
  • Less skill is required.
  • Less laborious.Disadvantages of Natural Incubation
  • Egg production is low because the hen will not lay eggs during incubation.
  • It is not possible to plan when to incubate.
  • If the hen dies the eggs will be destroyed.
  • If the hen deserts the eggs or refuses to sit on them the farmer will incur losses.
  • Only few chicks can be atched at a time by one hen.
  • Diseases and parasites could easily be transmitted to the chicks.Artificial Incubation