Breeding of farm animals

Breeding of farm animals. The process of mating selected males and females to produce offspring with the desired characteristics.

Breeding is a natural or artificial way of reproducing farm animals for greater yield, an animal selection practice to encourage chosen qualities.

a process where some animals were chosen because of their special qualities. these qualities can be because of pure strength for the sole purpose of farm work like tillage practices

TYPES OF BREEDING IN FARM ANIMALS

Crossbreeding–=== Crossbreeding is the act of mating animals from two breeds of the same species. Normally, breeds are chosen that have complementary traits that will enhance the offspring for economic purposes and business

selective breeding== an animal selection practice to encourage chosen qualities. a process where some animals were chosen because of their special qualities.

these qualities can be because of pure strength for the sole purpose of farm work like tillage practices

selective smart breeding—=== plant selection practice to encourage chosen qualities. this type of breeding takes place amongst plants only mostly if the plant species that are intended for use has a special resistance capability for resisting diseases

inter-breeding===the act of mixing different species or varieties of animals or plants and thus producing hybrids. this requires a high scientific foundation

Reasons for breeding of animals

The following reasons are some of the triggers for breeding purposes. Breeding can be carried out in order to improve the inherited potential of the animal.
To improve production by introducing new genes.


This process overcomes production problems created by the environment.
in order to satisfy consumers\’ tastes.
a farmer may decide to carry out specific purposes just For economic reasons e.g. fast growth rate to reach the market early.

TERMS USED IN BREEDING

Inheritance; Genetic transmission of characteristics from parents to offspring.
The mechanism of inheritance is carried by the sex cells (gametes) and is controlled by genes found in the chromosomes.


Genes are very tiny units of inheritance carrying particular characteristics, such as colour, body shape and amount of milk production. Chromosomes are genetic materials which carry genes.


They exist in pairs paternal and maternal) in the nucleus of the body cells. They are always constant in number.


Dominant and Recessive Characteristics
A dominant gene is one that suppresses the other. It produces a dominant characteristic.

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A recessive gene is one that is suppressed by the other. It produces recessive characteristics

What is Hybrid and Hybrid Vigor breeding?


A hybrid is an animal which is the product of crossing animals of two different breeds. It has both dominant and recessive characteristics. A superior hybrid has 75% dominance and 25% recessive.

Hybrid vigour or heterosis is increased vigour and performance resulting from crossing two superior breeds.

When two superior breeds e.g. Pedigree Friesian and Jersey breeds are mate the resultant offspring have both the character of high milk yield and high butterfat content.

Thus it is said the offspring have a hybrid figure which is an increased performance and figure than both the two parents.

what is Epitasis in animal breeding


This is the masking of the effect of one gene (recessive gene) by another gene(dominant) which is non-allelic, that is situated on a different locus.
This is aimed at preventing the recessive gene from being expressed.

BREEDING SYSTEMS


They are categorized into two namely; Inbreeding and Out-breeding

1. Inbreeding
Mating of animals which are related i.e. have certain alleles of genes in common.
Reasons:

To increase genetic uniformity in a herd.
To increase phenotypic uniformity.
To get proven sires.
To fix required characteristics when developing a new breed.
used in animals of higher prepotency (stud Bulls)

LIMITATIONS TO BREEDING


It can bring about a loss of hybrid vigour.
It may lead to a decline in fertility.
It may lead to a high rate of pre-natal mortality.

SYSTEMS OF INBREEDING


Close Breeding: mating between very closely related animals, for example, sib-mating and parents sib-mating.


Line Breeding: mating of distantly related animals that had a common ancestor for example cousins, halfbrothers/sisters, granddaughters and grandsisters.

WHAT IS OUTBREEDING

Mating of animals which are not related.
Reasons:

To introduce new genes in an existing breeding herd.
To exploit heterosis resulting from a cross between two breeds.
To develop a new breed or a grade animal.

Limitations

Lack of uniformity in animals that result from out-breeding.


Desirable characteristics may be lost due to variation.

Systems of Outbreeding
i). Cross-breeding
Mating of animals from two different pure breeds to attain hybrid vigour or heterosis such as higher production rate, higher production rate, high growth, disease resistance and heat tolerance.

II). OUT-CROSSING

Mating of unrelated animals from the same breed, for example, a Friesian cow in Kenya with Seminal fluid of a Friesian bull from Britain.
iii) Upgrading/Grading up/Back-crossing


Mating is where the female of a cow grade (locals) is mated with a pure breed sire. The resultant animal is referred to as a high grade.


If the same sire mates with filial generation (F1-6) of its heifers, it will attain a pure breed character. Artificial insemination (A.I) the system is used widely to improve the local cattle for better milk production

Mating in Livestock

MATING IN CATTLE

Heat signs occur every 21 days.

The heat period last for 18-30 hours on average 24 hours.

The cow should be served 12-18 hours after showing the first heat signs.

Heat Signs

Restlessness.

Mounting on others and when mounted on she stands still. Rise in body temperature.

Drop in milk production in lactating cows. the female private part swells and becomes reddish.

Clear or slimy mucus from the opening

Bellowing or mooing frequently.

MATING IN PIGS

Heat signs in pigs occur after every 21 days. The heat lasts about 72 hours.

Sows or gilts should be served within 18- 36 hours of the heat period.

SIGNS OF HEAT

Restlessness.

Frequent urination.

Swelling and reddening of the
Clear or slimy discharge from the

Frequent mounting on others.

It responds very well to the \’riding test\’.

Mating in Rabbits

Does are ready for mating at 6-7 months of age. Heat signs occur every 14 days.

The doe should be taken to the buck and not vice versa.

Signs of Heat

Restlessness.

Frequent urination.

The doe throws herself to the side.

The doe rubs herself against the wall or any other solid object.

The doe tries to contact other rabbits in the next hutch by peeping.

METHODS OF SERVICE IN LIVESTOCK

Natural Mating

Advantages:

It is more accurate.

It is less laborious.

Useful when heat signs of females cannot be easily detected.

Disadvantages

Inbreeding is not easily controlled.

Transmission of breeding diseases.

Extra feed for the male is required.

Large males can injure small females.

Wastage of semen.

It is cumbersome and expensive to transport a bull to remote areas.

ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN BREEDING

Introduction of semen into the female reproductive tract by artificial means.

Advantages

There is an economical use of seminal fluid.

It controls the transmission of breeding diseases.

Sires that are unable to serve cows due to heavy weight or injury can produce seminal fluid to serve cows.

It prevents large bulls from injuring small cows. It reduces the expenses of keeping a male animal.

A small-scale farmer who cannot afford to buy a superior bull can have the cows served at a low cost.

Semen can be stored for a long. It helps to control inbreeding.

It eliminates the threat of keeping dangerous bulls from the farm.

It makes research work easier.

DISADVANTAGES OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION BREEDING

Harmful characteristics can be spread quickly by one bull to the offspring.

It requires skilled labour.

Low chance of conception due to death of seminal fluid during storage.

It is laborious:

Embryo Transplant

It is the implantation of an embryo (fertilized ova) from a high-quality female (donor) in the uterus of a low-grade female (recipient).

Advantages

Faster multiplication of an animal with superior characteristics. It is easier to transport embryos than the whole animal.

Embryos can be stored for a long period awaiting the availability by recipient females.

It stimulates milk production in a female (recipient) that was not ready to produce milk.

Low-grade animals can be used in the production and rearing of high-quality animals. The offspring of a superior female can spread quickly in an area.

Disadvantages

It is expensive.

It requires skilled personnel.

It requires special equipment for fertilization and storage of embryos.

Signs of Parturition in Livestock

Parturition is the act of giving birth to female animals.