CORE SKILLS AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

UNIT TWO : Rearing one class of animals

Learning Plan: 4 of 7

Class: Standard 4 Theme: Understanding Change

Term: 2

Duration: 1 hour Topic: Ailments and treatment of animals

Context: CONSIDERATIONS:
Most ailments occur as a result of poor management practices.
It is important to know the types of ailments that can affect HFLE:
animals, and the treatments that can be used to improve the
animals health. Cooperation

Choose an item.
Outcomes:
At the end of this learning experience students will:
research ailments and treatment of rabbit OR chicken Literacy
present research using any form of media. Reading
Writing
Activities: Oral
1. Students view pictures of rabbits OR chickens suffering Communication
from ailments. Literary
2. They research the ailments, observable symptoms and Appreciation
treatments. Media &
3. In groups, students create a presentation of their research Information Literacy
using any form of media.
Numeracy
Resources: Problem Solving
ICT: computer, search word agrodok Critical thinking
Stationery: pencils, paper, markers, bristol board Communication
Other: pictures Representation
Reasoning

Assessment: ICT Skills

Create a presentation showing ailments of rabbits OR chickens
and possible treatment. Differentiated
Instruction

Assessment for
learning
COMMON DISEASES IN POULTRY AND RABBITS

POULTRY:

1. Fowl Pox:

This disease is caused by a virus. Lesions are seen on the comb, wattles, and beak. Birds affected by this
form usually recover within a few weeks.

2. Bird Flu:

Also known as Avian Influenza or Avian Flu is caused by a virus. The disease appears suddenly in a flock
and many birds die with minimal signs. Some birds show weakness and a staggering gait. Hens may at
first lay soft-shelled eggs, but soon stop laying. Sick birds often sit or stand in a semi-comatose state with
their heads touching the ground. Profuse watery diarrhoea is frequently present and birds are
excessively thirsty. Respiration may be laboured. Haemorrhages may occur on unfeathered areas of skin.
There is also severe depression, lack of appetite, and a marked increase in mortality being the first
abnormalities observed. The mortality rate varies from 50 to 100%.

RABBIT:

1. Sore hocks

This is a bacterial infection of the skin of the back feet and hocks -- the part of the back leg that rests on
the ground when a rabbit sits. Exposure to harsh and wet surfaces, or moist surfaces which keep the
tissue of the foot pads soft can predispose a rabbit to developing sores on the feet
 2. Ear canker

Ear canker also known as Ear mite infestation in rabbits is caused by a parasite. They may be found in
only one ear, or in both, and in some cases may spread to the surrounding areas the head, neck,
abdomen, and genital regions. Some symptoms include; itching around the ear, head, and neck, head
shaking and scratching, thick, brown to beige crusty exudate in the ear canal. Occasionally, brown to
beige crusting and itching occur on the ears and feet only.