Identify the labeled parts of the rooster and state their functions. Also, discuss despurring, endoparasites, and reasons for rearing roosters.

a) The farm animal illustrated (from the previous context) is a rooster.

b) (i) The labeled parts are:
I: Comb
II: Wattle
III: Hackle
IV: Wing Bow
V: Wing Front
VI: Shoulder
VII: Back
VIII: Saddle Back
IX: Main Tail Feathers
X: Spur

b) (ii)

• $\alpha$) Function of part VI (Shoulder): It supports the wing and facilitates its movement.
• $\beta$) Function of part VII (Back): It forms the main dorsal part of the body, providing structural support.
• $\gamma$) Function of part X (Spur): It is used for defense against predators or rivals.

c) (i) The management practice that could be carried out on part X (Spur) is Despurring.

c) (ii) Two advantages of despurring are:

• It prevents injuries to other birds in the flock.
• It reduces aggression among roosters.

d) (i) One endoparasite that infests roosters is Roundworms (e.g., Ascaridia galli).

d) (ii) One way of controlling Roundworms is by administering anthelmintics (deworming drugs).

e) Two reasons why roosters are reared are:

• For meat production.
• For breeding purposes to fertilize hens for egg production.

1. (A) (i)

• The extensive system involves rearing animals over a large area, allowing them to roam freely and forage naturally, with minimal human intervention and lower capital investment.
• The intensive system involves confining animals to a limited space, often indoors, with controlled feeding, housing, and environmental conditions, requiring higher capital investment and management.

1. (A) (ii)

• Extensive System:
  • Advantages: Lower initial capital cost, animals exhibit natural behavior.
  • Disadvantages: Lower productivity, higher risk of predation and disease exposure from wild animals.
• Intensive System:
  • Advantages: Higher productivity and faster growth rates, easier disease control and monitoring.
  • Disadvantages: High initial capital investment, stress on animals due to confinement.

1. (B)

• The deep litter system involves keeping poultry on the floor of a house covered with absorbent bedding material (litter) that accumulates over time. Birds have some freedom of movement and can scratch in the litter.
• The battery cage system involves housing poultry in individual or small group wire cages, typically stacked in tiers. This system severely restricts movement, and eggs roll out onto a collection tray for easy collection.