SS3 Lesson Note on Animal Improvement

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TOPIC:  ANIMAL IMPROVEMENT

CONTENT:

1. Meaning, Aims, and Methods of Animal Improvement
2. Artificial Insemination

SUB TOPIC: Meaning, Aims, and Methods of Animal Improvement

Animal improvement is the process whereby inherited superior traits are transferred from one animal to the other of the same species. Certain characteristics such as good feeding conversion, growth rate, meat quality, high milk yield, good body form, etc are major considerations in animal improvement.

AIMS OF ANIMAL IMPROVEMENT

1. To produce animals with high-yielding quality
2. To produce animals with a high feed conversion rate
3. To produce animals with high growth rates and early maturity
4. To produce animals that can adapt to varied climatic conditions
5. To produce an animal that is resistant to disease and parasites
6. To produce different breeds of animals
7. To produce an animal that meets a particular purpose

 

METHODS/PROCESS OF ANIMAL IMPROVEMENT

A. INTRODUCTION: This is bringing animals which are not native of a place but are known to have certain desirable characteristics into a new place from the place of origin. Such animals are called exotic. Introduction can be by physical importation either of the animals themselves or their semen.

ADVANTAGES

1. It enhances greater productivity
2. It leads to the absence of pests and diseases
3. Breeds may perform better and be able to adapt to local conditions

DISADVANTAGES

1. It may introduce new diseases and pests to the area
2. There may be problem of adaptation
3. The animals may not perform as expected
4. Animals may be susceptible to local diseases and pests

B.SELECTION: This is the method whereby a preferred animal is chosen from the population for breeding based on physical features such as growth rate, color, size, resistance to disease and pest, fertility rate, milk quantity and quality etc

TYPES OF SELECTION

(I) NATURAL SELECTION: It operates on the basis of choosing individuals which are able to withstand unfavorable environmental forces.

(II) ARTIFICIAL SELECTION: involves man’s ability to discern by observing differences in the animals available and to pick the desirable ones. Under artificial selection, we have

Mass Selection: This is selected based on merits or performance. It is the same as individual selection

Family Selection: This selection is based on the performance of the relatives or family. Family selection is divided into two types

1. Progeny Selection: Which is based on the performance of the offspring. The mother of the best performed is retained while others are rejected
2. Sib Selection: this is based on the performance of the siblings

Pedigree Selection: In this selection, animals are selected or rejected on the basis of their ancestor’s performance

ADVANTAGES OF SELECTION

1. It reduces the spread of diseases and pest
2. Animals with desirable traits are selected while others are rejected.
3. It ensures that only the best naturally available animals are selected

DISADVANTAGES

1. It is tedious and time-consuming
2. It requires expertise and technical know-how

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