Animal Husbandry is an important subject taught to students in their final year of Senior Secondary School (SSS3) in Nigeria. It teaches practical skills for taking care of livestock, which are animals like cows, chickens, sheep, and goats raised for food or other products.
In SSS3, students learn about different aspects of Animal Husbandry, such as breeding animals, feeding them properly, keeping them healthy, and building suitable homes for them. They get hands-on experience in feeding animals, handling them safely, and giving basic medical care. This helps them understand how to choose and improve animal breeds to increase productivity and profit.
Learning Animal Husbandry using the Lagos state unified scheme of work is crucial for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The exam tests students on both their understanding of animal science and their ability to apply what they’ve learned practically. Questions might ask about animal biology, reproduction, or how to identify and treat common animal illnesses.
Beyond exams, knowing Animal Husbandry is valuable for future jobs in agriculture, veterinary care, or managing farms. In Nigeria, where farming is vital for food and the economy, these skills are especially important. They help ensure there’s enough food for everyone and can lead to careers that support families and communities.
Assessment in Animal Husbandry for SSS3 typically includes both theoretical and practical components. Students are evaluated on their understanding of animal breeding, nutrition, health management, and housing.
WASSCE may involve written exams with questions on livestock biology and care practices. Practical assessments include demonstrations of skills in feeding, handling, and basic veterinary care. Students are also tested on their ability to construct animal housing and diagnose common livestock diseases.
| LAGOS STATE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION: UNIFIED SCHEMES OF WORK FOR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS | ||
| Animal Husbandry Scheme of Work for Senior Secondary Schools 3(SSS3) | ||
| Class | S.S.S 3 | |
| Subject | Animal Husbandry | |
| Term | First Term | |
| Week | Topic | Breakdown |
| 1 | Farm animal improvement I | 1. Meaning and definition of animal. improvement 2. Aims of term animal. improvement. – High reproductive efficiency. – Proficiency. – Mothering ability – Cool temperament. – Resistance to pests and disease. – High productivity – Tolerance to environment. |
| 2 | Methods of farm animal improvement introduction) II | Introduction as a method of farm animal improvement. |
| 3 | Methods of farm animal improvement (selection) III | Selection method of animals improvement advantages and disadvantages as a method of animal improvement |
| 4 | Method of farm animal improvement Breeding and Hybridization | Improvement methods, breeding and hybridization Advantages and disadvantages of these methods. |
| 5 | Artificial insemination I | Meaning of artificial insemination. Steps used in semen collection and processing. |
| 6 | Artificial insemination II | Steps and methods of artificial insemination. a. Artificial vagina b. Message methods c. Electroejaculation d. Recovery of semen from the vagina after service |
| 7 | Advantages of artificial insemination | Advantages of artificial insemination – Earlier and less expensive than natural mating – Easier and cheaper to import semen – Services many females possible – Allows for testing of offspring’s etc. |
| 8 | Disadvantages of artificial insemination | Disadvantages of artificial insemination – Requires expertise – difficulties in detecting heat – In breeding heat if few bulk is used – handling procedure may be inadequate |
| 9 | Farm animal diseases and casual agents I | Farm animal discuses: – definition – basic symptoms. |
| 10 | Farm animal diseases and causal agents | Diseases causal agents a. Bacterial b. Virus c. Fungi d. Protozoa |
| 11 | Revision | |
| 12 | Examination | |
| Term | Second Term | |
| Week | Topic | Breakdown |
| 1 | Farm animal diseases | Predisposing factors 1. Health status of the animal ii. Environment iii. Nutrition. |
| 2 | Farm animal diseases and causal agents | 1. Mode of transmission 2. Ways of preventing farm animal diseases a. Quarantine b. Inoculation c. Hygiene d. breeding. |
| 3 | Farm animal diseases (bacteria) | Bacterial disease 1. Anthrax 2. Tuberculosis 3. Fouel typhoid 4. Chronic respiratory diseases 5. Brucellosis etc |
| 4 | Farm animal diseases (viral) | Viral diseases 1. Foot and mouth 2. New castle 3. Rinder pest |
| 5 | Livestock parasites (ectoparasites) | 1. Definition 2. Classes of farm animals – Ecto-parasites tick, lice mites etc. 3. effects of ectoparasites on farm animals e.g. weakness, acting as vectors of many diseases etc. |
| 6 | Livestock parasites (endoparasites) II | 1. Endo-parasites – Liver fluke – Tape worm – Round worm etc. 2. Effects of parasites on farm animals e.g. weakness and loss of appetite etc. |
| 7 | Prevention and control of farm animal diseases | Prevention and control of livestock diseases – Quarantine – Vaccination – Inoculation – Hygienic condition – Good feeding/nutrition – Rotational grazing etc. |
| 8 | Prevention and control of farm animal pest (parasites) | Prevention and control of livestock parasites – Isolation – Hygienic condition – Use of chemicals (spraying and dusting) – Use of drugs deforming grazing etc. |
| 9 | Revision and Examination |
The recommended Animal Husbandry textbooks for SSS3 include but are not limited to the following:
