A TECHNICAL REPORT

ON

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME (SIWES)

UNDERTAKEN AT

DEMACCO FARMS LIMITED AKO-NIKE ENUGU-EAST L.G.A,

ENUGU STATE

BY

OGBONNA, ECHEZONACHI B.
REG NO: 2012594181

SUBMITTED TO

THE DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY

FACULTY OF BIOSCIENCES
NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY AWKA

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT OF THE

AWARD OF BACHELOR OF SCHEME (B.Sc.) DEGREE IN ZOOLOGY

DECEMBER, 2015
 DEDICATION

This report is dedicated to the Almighty God who has remained faithful to me
all through these six months of my industrial training.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My greatest appreciation goes to God Almighty for His grace which He made
sufficient unto me through out the period of this training.

My special thanks go to my H.O.D, Dr. C.I Nsofor and all the lecturers of
Zoology Department for their valuable support towards my academic pursuit.

I also wish to express my gratitude to the SIWES unit for this great privilege.

My thanks goes to my industrial-based supervisor, Mr. Ahissou Raphael and the

entire management and staff of Demacco Farm for their co operation, immense
support and tutorage through out the period of this training.

To my parents, Dr. and Mrs. Benard Ogbonna, siblings and dear friends, I say
thanks for your love, care and support. God bless you all abundantly.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i
Dedication ii
Acknowledgements
Table of contents
List of plates
List of tables

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Concept of SIWES
1.2 Objectives of SIWES
1.3 The company
1.4 Organogram
1.5 Orientation and safety precautions

CHAPTER TWO
PIGGERY UNIT
2.1 Pig management
2.2 Species of pigs
2.3 Selection of pig to rear
2.4 Housing
2.4.1 Different types of pig pen
2.5 Feeding in pigs
2.6 Reproduction in pigs
2.6.1 Mating in pigs
2.6.2 Signs of parturition in pigs
2.6.3 Farrowing in pigs
 2.6.4 Management during lactation
2.6.5 Care of new born piglet
2.7 Weaning in pigs
2.8 Castration in pigs
2.8.1 Types of castration
2.8.2 Castration techniques
2.9 Disease management in pigs
2.9.1 Parasitic diseases
2.9.2 Bacterial diseases
2.9.3 Drugs used in piggery unit in Demacco Farm

CHAPTER THREE
GRASSCUTTER UNIT
3.1 Grasscutter
3.1 Housing and sanitation
3.2 Feeding in grasscutter
3.3 Reproduction in grasscutter
3.3.1 Crossing in grasscutter
3.3.2 Weaning in grasscutter
3.4 Diseases of grasscutter
3.4.1 Drugs used in grasscutter unit in Demacco Farm

CHAPTER FOUR
FISHERY UNIT
4.1 Fish farming
4.2 Fish pond
4.2.1 Hatching pond
4.2.2 Plastic pond
4.2.3 Concrete pond
 4.2.4 Earthen pond
4.2.5 Fertilizing the pond
4.2.6 Treating the pond
4.2.7 Pond water management
4.3 Hatching in fish
4.3.1 Selection of broodstock
4.3.2 Artificial insemination
4.3.3 Hypophysation
4.3.4 Stripping of the eggs
4.3.5 Procurement of the milt
4.3.6 Fertilization of the eggs
4.3.7 Incubation of the eggs
4.4 Rearing of the larvae
4.4.1 Technology of rearing the larvae
4.5 Feeding in fishes
4.6 Catfish diseases
4.7 Prophylaxis
4.8 Maggot production
4.8.1 Culturing the maggot
4.8.2 Harvesting the maggot

CHAPTER FIVE
FEED MILL UNIT
5.1 Equipment used in feed mill unit and their uses
5.2 Sanitation measures in feed mill unit

CHAPTER SIX
CROP UNIT
6.1 Cultural practices
6.1.1 Pre-planting operations
6.1.2 Planting operations
6.1.3 Post-planting operations

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

 LIST OF PLATES

Plate 1: A building housing pig pens

Plate 2: Sweeping a pig pen
Plate 3: Cross section of grower’s pen
Plate 4: Cross section of maternity pen
Plate 5: Feeding pigs with formulated pig feed
Plate 6: A pig feeding on unripe paw-paw
Plate 7: Pigs feeding on Moringa oleifera leaves
Plate 8: Mating in pigs
Plate 9: A pig giving birth (farrowing)
Plate 10: Sawdust on the floor of a maternity pen
Plate 11: Piglets suckling a sow’s udder
Plate 12: Steps involved in castration
Plate 13: Injecting a pig
Plate 14: A pig with tumor (abscess)
Plate 15: Steps involved in removing abscess
Plate 16: A student handling a grasscutter
Plate 17: Grasscutter section
Plate 18: Sweeping of a grasscutter pen
Plate 19: Disinfecting a grasscutter pen
Plate 20: Preparing grasscutter supplement feed
Plate 21: Feeding grasscutters with palm branches
Plate 22: Grasscutter water trough
Plate 23: Spraying vetsol in a grasscutter pen
Plate 24: A hatching pond
Plate 25: A plastic pond
Plate 26: A big concrete pond
Plate 27: A small concrete pond
Plate 28: An earthen pond overgrown with weeds
Plate 29: Washing a concrete pond
Plate 30: A mature female fish
Plate 31: Obtaining pituitary (hormone) from a fish
Plate 32: Ovaprim (injectable solution)
Plate 33: A female spawner being stripped of her eggs
Plate 34: Stripped eggs in a plastic bowl
Plate 35: A dissected testis in a plastic plate
Plate 36: Adding milt to the eggs
Plate 37: Incubating fertilized eggs
Plate 38: Treating a hatching pond with KMnO4
Plate 39: A bag of fish feed (Coppen)
Plate 40: A student feeding the fishes
Plate 41: Processes involved in making fish feed
Plate 42: A catfish with broken head disease
Plate 43: Culturing maggots
Plate 44: Harvested maggots in a bowl
Plate 45: An electric mixer
Plate 46: A crusher
Plate 47: A flatform weighing balance
Plate 48: A weighing scale
Plate 49: A wheel cart
Plate 50: A nose mask
Plate 51: Maize being threshed with a thresher
Plate 52: Grinding soya bean using a grinder
Plate 53: A bag of fertilizer
Plate 54: A student broadcasting fertilizer on a ploughed farmland
Plate 55: A bag of corn
Plate 56: A student planting cassava
Plate 57: A knapsack sprayer
Plate 58: An herbicide (weedcrusher)
Plate 59: A student spraying herbicide on a maize farm
Plate 60: Bags of processed feeds
 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Pig feed composition for different categories

Table 2: Composition for grasscutter supplement feed
Table 3: Composition for locally made fish feed

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Concept of SIWES (Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme)
SIWES is a program initiated by the Federal government in 1971 during the 2nd
national development plan under decree no. 47 of 1971. It is organized and
managed by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for a period of three months to
one year depending on the institution and specialization involved. SIWES is the
accepted skill training program which forms part of the approved Minimum
Academic Standard (MAS) in the various degree programmes for most Nigerian
Universities. It is an effort to bridge the gap existing between theories and
practices of sciences, agriculture, medicine, management, engineering and
technology and professional education programmes in Nigerian tertiary
institutions.

In Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, the SIWES program runs for 6 months in
the fourth year for students studying a 5-year course and in the third year for
those doing a 4-year course. The training commences from the end of the first
semester of that academic session.

1.2 Objectives of SIWES

The objectives of the SIWES are:
 To provide an avenue for students of tertiary institutions to acquire industrial
skills and experience in their course of study.
 To get students ready for the industry work situation they are to meet after
graduation.
 To expose students to work methods and techniques in handling machineries
that may not be available in their institutions.
 To make the transition from academic institution to the world of work easier
and enhance student contacts for later job placements.
 To make opportunities available for students to apply their knowledge in real
work situations thereby bridging the gap between theory and practical.
 To enlist and strengthen employers' involvement in the entire educational
process of preparing university graduates for employment in the industry.

1.3 Brief history of Demacco farm

Demacco farm is owned by Mr. Donatus Onyia. It was inaugurated in 2004 with
only the piggery unit having 5 boars and 15 sows. Later, the grasscutter and
fishery units were started with the grasscutter unit having only 5 families. Due
to bird flu, the poultry unit could not be started, but in 2006, the poultry unit
was introduced.
In this farm, integrated agriculture (crop and livestock farming) is practiced.
The livestock section includes grasscutter, piggery, poultry and fishery units.
There is also a feed mill unit where the crops planted in the crop unit and other
animal by-products are used in making animal feed.
1.4 Organogram

Managing Director

HOS Piggery
General Supervisor

HOS Fishery
Sales Manager

HOS Grasscutter
Workers

HOS Feedmill
I.T Students

HOS Crop
KEY
HOS: Head of Section

1.5 Orientation and Safety Precautions

There are rules and regulations binding the workers and IT students in Demacco
farm. These rules and regulations are;
a) Workers must be healthy.
b) Workers must be serious, regular and punctual to work.
c) Workers must be observant and inquisitive in order to maximize the
knowledge provided by the company.
d) Workers must be diligent and respectful.
e) Workers must not handle any equipment, be it a machinery, chemical or
reagent without due permission and/or guidance by a supervisor.
f) Workers must shun any act of violence.
g) Workers must not leave the company's premises without the knowledge of
the management.
h) Workers must report to work with every necessary safety wears as provided
by the company. Safety wears provided by the company include: rain coat,
hand gloves, nose masks, rain boots, and ear muffs.
i) In case of any injury, no matter how slight, report at once to your supervisor.
j) Keep your work area clean.
k) No smoking is allowed in the work site.
l) Shut down your machine before cleaning, repairing or leaving.
m) Do not tamper with electric controls or switches.
n) Running or horseplay is strictly forbidden.
o) Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry around machinery. It may catch on
moving equipment and cause serious injury.
p) When required, you must wear protective equipment.
q) Observe and practice the safety procedures established for the job.
 CHAPTER TWO
PIGGERY UNIT

2.1 Pig (Sus scrofa) Management

This is the control of a number of factors which include housing, feeding,
breeding, and health in pigs to enable them perform at their maximum potentials
and to provide the desired profit at a lower cost.
Some terms associated with pigs
1. Herd - a group of pigs
2. Boar - adult male pig
3. Sow - adult female pig
4. Piglet - young pig of either sex
5. Farrowing - parturition or giving birth in sow
6. Hog - castrated male pig
7. Bacon/pork - meat from pig
8. Lard - fat from pig
9. Litter - newly born pig
10.Ham - upper part of pig's leg

2.2 Species of Pigs

There are many species of pigs but the ones reared in Demacco farm are broadly
divided into two groups:
1. African species: There are two families in this group. They are; Bakossi and
Ashanti species. These species of pigs have the same characteristics. The
difference between them is where they come from; the Bakossi specie of pigs is
from Cameroon and the Ashanti specie is from Ghana.
Characteristics:
 They have short limbs especially the female.
 Body weight of the adult (at 48 months or 3 years) is between 35-40 kg.
 Reproductive age of the sow is 5 or 6 months.
 Body weight of weaners is 5-7 kg.
 Body weight of piglet at birth is between 500-700 g.
 Sows give birth to at most 8 piglets.
 Their body color is white, black and/or brown.
2. Exotic or imported species: There are 3 families in this group. They are;
i. Big heights: E.g. large whites. Characteristics of pigs in this family include;
 They are tall and they grow very fast.
 The hair on their body is white.
 The sows show high level of parental care.
 Minimum number of piglet at delivery is 12.
 Sows have 6-7 pairs of breast.
 Their ear stands away from the body.
 They can survive in tropical areas and so are good for rearing.
 Adult pig weighs 350 kg and above.
 Weaners weigh 15-18 kg.
 Piglet at birth weighs 1.5-2 kg.
 Age of reproduction is from 18 months with body weight of 90-110 kg.
ii. Low heights: Example is the land race. Characteristics include;
 They produce meat good for eating.
 They are able to withstand stress.
 Their ears are not standing i.e. they cover their eyes.
 Age of reproduction is 7 months with body weight of 60-70 kg.
 Body weight of weaners is 10-12 kg.
 Body weight of piglet at birth is 1-1.2 kg.
 Body weight of adult pig is from 250 kg.
 Minimum number of piglet at birth is 7.
iii. Berkshive: Characteristics include;
 They have black hair.
 They have too much body fat.
 They thrive well in tropical areas.
 There are 6 white marks on their body (on their mouth, hoofs of their 4
limbs, and end of their tail).
 Body weight of piglet at birth is 800-1000 g.
 Body weight of adult pig is 150 kg.
 Body weight of weaners is 7-11kg.
 Age of reproduction is 7 months with body weight of 60kg.
 Sow gives birth to at least 6 piglets.

2.3 Selection of Breeders

The first set of pigs one breeds determine to a great extent the progress of that
farm. Therefore, care must be taken in selecting these pigs. Some of the
precautions I was taught include;
 The pig should be bought from a good farm not from the market or a home.
 The male pig should have big and equal-sized scrotum.
 It should be neat, quiet and calm (not stubborn).
 It should be able to stand and use its four limbs very well.
 It should have good eye sight.
 Its appearance should be healthy.
 The female pig should have 6 or 7 pairs of breast.
 It should possess good abdomen.
 The male and female pigs should not be of the same family. (It’s better not to
buy the male and female pigs from the same farm).

2.4 Housing
In Demacco farm, pigs were kept in pens. These pens were concrete pens with
iron doors and aluminum roof. In Demacco farm, there were 8 buildings in the
piggery unit containing 176 pig pens with a total of 1,253 pigs.
 Plate 1: Pig pens

Sanitation measures in a pig pen

Although pigs are considered to be very dirty animals, they should be reared in
neat and healthy environment as failure leads to diseases which result in loss. In
Demacco farm, the pig pens were kept clean by sweeping the pens every
morning, changing the water in the foot dip every 3 days, and washing the pens
at least every month.

Plate 2: Sweeping a pig pen

2.4.1 Different types of pig pen
Four (4) different types of pig pens used in Demacco farm includes: growers’,
reproduction, maternity and boars’ pens.
1. Growers’ pen: This is the pen where young female and castrated male pigs
were kept. At most, 8 pigs were kept in one pen. Pigs weighing 10-20 kg were
kept at 1 pig per m2 area of the pen while pigs with body weight of 20-50 kg
were kept at 1 pig per 1.5 m2 area of the pen.

Plate 3: Cross section of a grower’s pen

2. Reproduction pen: Sows which were about to be crossed with a boar or
sows whose piglets have been weaned were kept in this pen. The pen looks like
the growers pen. At most 5 pigs were kept in a pen. Pigs with body weight of 60
kg and above were kept at 1 pig per 5 or 6 m2 area of the pen.
3. Maternity pen: This pen was for sows that were ready to give birth. It had a
separation that helped to reduce the wind intensity so that the newly born piglets
are not affected. These sows were either kept alone (when pregnant) or with the
newly born piglets till they were weaned.

Plate 4: Cross section of a maternity pen

4. Boar's pen: This pen resembles the growers’ pen. Only one boar or sow was
kept in this pen. In a building, the sows were kept in pens in between that of the
boars. This arrangement helps to strengthen and increase their fertility. The
sows were kept in this pen for 15 days after the piglets have been weaned before
crossing them with a boar. This helps them regain their fertility and ability to
farrow.

2.5 Feeding in Pigs

In Demacco farm, pigs were fed with fruits like paw-paw, banana, guava,
mango and tangerine; vegetables like pumpkin leaf, paw-paw leaf, Moringa
oleifera and water leaf. They were also fed with cassava tubers, grinded rice
chaff or spent grain mixed with formulated pig feed.

The pigs were grouped into 3 categories according to their feeding ration. They
are; reproductives (breeders), weaners and growers ration.
Table 1: Pig feed composition for different categories.
Ingredient Reproductives Weaners Growers
Palm kennel 750 600 900
cake
Soya bean cake 200 400 300
Maize 100 80 100
Bone meal 60 42 47
Salt 8 7 8
Fish meal 10 10 10
Methionine 2 2 2
Premix 7.5 5 5
Lysine 2 2 2
Enzyme - 1 1
Plate 5: Feeding pigs with formulated pig feed Plate 6: A pig feeding on ripe paw-paw fruits

Plate 7: Pigs feeding on Moringa oleifera leaves

2.6 Reproduction in Pigs

Reproduction in pigs is between a boar and sow. The age of reproduction for the
boar is 8-10 months with body weight of 70-80 kg while that of the sow is 7-8
months with body weight of 60-70 kg.

2.6.1 Mating in pigs

Mating is the process where animals have sex in order to produce offspring. In
pigs, the sow on heat is brought to the boar so that they will mate. Mating
between the boar and the sow was done three consecutive times to make sure
the crossing is successful. It was done early in the morning and in the evening
because sunshine destroys the sperm.

Plate 8: Mating in pigs.

Heat cycle for pigs is for 21 days. Sows on heat showed the following signs;
 Red and swollen vulva.
 Whitish secretions from the vulva.
 Loss of appetite.
 She becomes noisy.
 When one climbs on her or pushes her, she doesn't move.

A week before mating, the pigs were dewormed to eliminate worms in their
systems which can destroy the sperm and make the sow unable to get pregnant.
The next day, they were given antibiotics for 3days after which vitamin was
given to them for 3 days too.

48 days after a successful mating, the sow was given vitamin for 3 days. An
antibiotic was given to her 2 months, 2 months and 2 weeks and 110 days after
mating for 3 days. 3 months after mating, the sow was dewormed between 100
and 105 days after mating because worms affect the fetus.
At this stage, the sow was watched closely to know if she encountered any
problem or difficulty during pregnancy or delivery.
2.6.2 Signs of parturition in pigs
Parturition is the act of giving birth. In pigs, signs of parturition include;
 The sow became quiet and reacts to every small noise.
 Her vulva and udder became red and swollen.
 Whitish secretions (milk) dropped slowly from her breast and vulva.
 She began to gather things inside the pen.
 Her mouth was always on the ground as if she wanted to make a hole.

2.6.3 Farrowing in pigs

It is difficult for animals to give birth. Therefore, a veterinary doctor or a good
and well trained animal farmer should be present to render help in case of any
emergency.

Plate 9: A pig giving birth (farrowing)

Preparations before farrowing
 The sow was dewormed so that she doesn't transfer worms from her body to
the piglets.
 Some of the feed ingredients in her feed were reduced especially those that
were likely to cause constipation (spent grain). Rice chaff and maize were
increased.
 A day or 2 before delivery, her pen was washed and disinfected.
 Sawdust was laid on the floor of the pen. It served as a bed for giving birth.
 The pen was kept warm by burning charcoal especially during cold season.

Plate 10: Sawdust on the floor of a maternity pen

Precautions after farrowing
 The sow’s udder was washed with disinfectant.
 The new born piglets were made to suck the sow’s udder.
 The old sawdust was changed with a new one.
 The umbilical cord was cut 2 inches from the piglet’s abdomen.
 Enough water was provided for the piglets for both drinking and playing.
Oxytocin was injection to the sow at 1ml for 33 kg of body weight if she
encounters any problem in the course of delivery.
2.6.4 Management during lactation
Lactation in pigs is the process of providing milk for the piglets by the sow
(breast feeding). During lactation;
 The sow was given plenty of water as failure leads to agalactia (failure of the
sow to produce sufficient milk after delivery).
 Full feed was introduced gradually.
 The sow was examined regularly for any disease problem especially MMA
and treated immediately if symptoms are seen.
 Good hygiene was always maintained.
 Plate 11: Piglets suckling a sow's udder
2.6.5 Care of new born piglets
The following measures were taken to prevent mortality in piglets:
1. Extra heat was provided.
2. The piglets were made to suckle colostrums within 45 minutes after birth.
3. The navel cord was tied off 2 inches from their body and immersed in dilute
solution of iodine.
4. The piglets were given iron injection within 3 days to prevent anemia and
poor health.

2.7 Weaning in Pigs

This is the process whereby an animal is no longer dependant on the mother for
nourishment. Pigs were weaned 45 days or 1 month and 2 weeks after birth. The
first 3 weeks after weaning is a difficult period for the weaners because they
have been separated from their mother. They might have rheumatism and be
stressed due to the change in environment and the fact that they no longer take
breast milk. Therefore, adequate care was taken to ensure that problems due to
weaning do not arise.
The piglets to be weaned were not disturbed, neither were they sick.
Immediately they were weaned, they were given antibiotics for 5 days and
vitamin for the next 5 days. The weaners were sorted according to their height
and kept in different pens (at most 8 in a pen) to avoid stress. At this point, their
feed was spread on the floor so that they don’t struggle to feed. Also, the protein
content of their feed was reduced and the fiber content increased to prevent
purging.

2.8 Castration in Pigs

Castration is the act of removing the testicles of a male animal. In pigs,
castration is done 2 months after birth. Castrated pigs were kept together with
the gilts because they are unable to impregnate them. Castrated pigs grow faster
and bigger/fatter and their meat has no odor.

Instrument used for castration in Demacco farm were; antibiotics injection

(oxytetracycline), syringe, razor blade, cotton wool, soap, methylated spirit, and
vetospray.

2.7.1 Types of castration

Castration in pigs is of two types:
Close castration: This is the type of castration in which no part of the pig's body
was cut open. A forceps was used to hold the part joining the scrotum to the
pig's body. The content of the scrotum (testicles) dries up later. This is a more
complex method and must be done by well trained personnel.
Open castration: This is the type of castration in which no part of the pig's body
was cut open. It is of two types;
a) Single open castration in which the center of the scrotum was cut open to let
out its content. Once the scrotum was cut open, the spermatic cords were tied
before cutting them. Afterwards, was methylated spirit to the cut to prevent
infection and for speedy healing.
b) Double open castration in which the 2 sides of the scrotum was cut open and
the spermatic cords were cut singly.

2.8.2 Castration techniques

In Demacco farm, the following were the procedures involved in castration:
 The pig to be castrated was held by 4 persons.
 The scrotum was washed with soap and water.
 The scrotum was disinfected using methylated spirit.
 The pig was given antibiotics injection at 2 ml for 10 kg body weight.
 Using a clean razor blade, the scrotum was carefully cut open to reveal the
contents (testicles).
 The testicles and the spermatic cords were drawn out gently until only a
strong part was remaining.
 Depending on the type of castration, the spermatic cords were tied together
and then cut.
 After cutting the cords, the ‘wound’ was washed with water and disinfected
with methylated spirit to prevent infection.
 Vetospray was sprayed on the wound to prevent further bleeding and to
quicken the healing.
 Plate 12: Steps involved in castration

2.9 Disease Management in Pigs

The pig diseases encountered in Demacco farm were of 2 types. They are;
parasitic and bacterial diseases.
2.9.1 Parasitic diseases
Parasitic diseases are caused by parasites. They are of 2 types namely:
endoparasites and ectoparasites, but only ectoparasites were encountered in
Demacco farm.
Ectoparasites such as lice, tick, and mite were found on the pigs’ bodies. Signs
and Symptoms of ectoparasitic infections include;
 Affected pigs’ skin looked rough, dirty, dry and aged.
 Lesions appeared on their skin.
 Their body became inflamed because of constant scratching.
 They lose weight.
Treatment:
 Ivermectin, ivomec or alfamec was injected subcutaneous at 1 ml for 33 kg
of body weight especially for lice.
 Affected pigs were bathed with alfaporc at 1ml for 1 liter of water.
 Pigs with wounds were rubbed ivermetrine. Before this, their feed and water
were removed. After rubbing them ivermetrine, the pig was held for it to dry
so that they don’t lie or roll on the floor.

Plate 13: Injecting a pig

2.9.2 Bacterial diseases

These are diseases that arise as a result of dirty environment. The pig's body
temperature rose as a result and they lacked appetite. When the piglets were
infected, mortality rate increased, skin mortification, inflammation, diarrhea and
anemia occurred. The common bacterial diseases that affected pigs include
colibacillus and MMA (Mastitis Mertitis Agalactia).
1. Colibacillus: It affected piglets only. It occurred in 3 phases of their life.
Phase 1: In this phase, all piglets can be affected. It occurred 12-48 hours after
birth. Immediately the pigs were affected, their body became red and slimy.
They emaciated and their skin shrunk. They also had green with yellow diarrhea
with bad odor which caused their abdomen to swell.
Phase 2: It occurred after 3 weeks of birth. Affected pigs had white diarrhea
with bad odor. Mortality rate was 20%.
Phase 3: 1 week after weaning, this disease affected the pigs again due to
change in their food. It made them purge. Their dung became either brown or
yellow color mixed with green. They also had lingering diarrhea which made
them unable to eat and so they emaciated. Mortality rate was 30%.
Prevention:
 Pregnant pigs were treated very well (as required).
 New born piglets were given iron injection on the 3rd, 11th and 21st day
after birth.
 Maternity pen was always kept neat and dry.
Treatment:
Antibiotics were given to the pigs at first sign of the disease followed by
vitamin. Alfatrine, clotadona and croranfe were given to them in cases of phase
1, 2 or 3 respectively.
2. Mastitis Metirtis Agalactia (MMA): This disease mainly affected breast
feeding sows. They are 3 different diseases but they follow each other.
Mastitis is the inflammation of the udder. It resulted in high piglet mortality and
reduction in lactation rate.
Metirtis is the inflammation or infection of the uterus. It was caused by food
poisoning, genetic problems, and drug reactions. It resulted to still birth,
infertility, and premature birth.
Agalactia is the lack of milk flow such that the sow doesn't produce enough
milk for the piglets. It was caused by anthrax and it resulted in difficulty in
breathing and cold/fever.
Treatment:
In the case of mastitis, antibiotics injection was administered to the sow at 2 ml
for 10 kg body weight.
In cases of metirtis and agalactia, antibiotics and anti-inflammation injections
were given to the sow at 2 ml for 10 kg body weight.
The pen where a sow gave birth and raised its piglet was cleaned, disinfected
and left for 2 weeks before another sow was brought into it.
Tumor operation (Removing abscess) in pigs:

Plate 14: A pig with a tumor (abscess)

Abscess is a pus-filled cavity that is surrounded by inflamed tissues caused by
tissue destruction usually because of infection. It was removed in pigs by
operating on the affected part of the pig's body. Equipment used for abscess in
Demacco farm includes; antibiotics injection, methylated spirit, razor blade, and
iodine solution.
Procedure for removing abscess:
 The pig was first injected with antibiotics.
 The affected part was washed with methylated spirit.
 The abscess was opened laterally using a clean and new razor blade.
 The abscess was pressed to discharge the content (pus).
 Afterwards, the cavity was washed to remove every trace of the pus.
 Iodine solution was applied to the wound to prevent infection.
 Plate 15: Steps involved in removing abscess
2.9.3 Drugs used in piggery unit in Demacco Farm
The following drugs were used in the piggery unit in Demacco farm.
1. Bio-tetra (antibiotics): Sterile solution for injection.
Composition: Each ml contains 200 mg oxytetracycline.
Indication: Bacterial infections, wounds (abscess, castration), loss of appetite,
weakness.
Dosage and administration: Subcutaneous injection.
For prevention: 1ml for 10 kg body weight
For treatment: 2-2.5 ml for piglet, 4 ml for growers and 10 ml for adults.
2. Vitaflash (multivitamin):
Indication: Stress, anemia, loss of appetite, rheumatism, weakness.
Dosage and administration: Subcutaneous injection.
For prevention - 1-2 ml for piglet, 3-4 ml for 10 kg body weight and 5-6 ml for
adult.
For treatment – 2 - 4 ml for piglets, 5- 6 ml for growers and 15 - 20 ml for adult.
3. Iron dextran (injection)
Composition: 1ml contains 100 mg iron.
Indication: Anemia, loss of appetite, diarrhea. It is given to the sow before
delivery and to new born piglets.
Dosage and administration: Subcutaneous injection at 2 ml for piglets and 10-20
ml for sow for both prevention and treatment.
4. Intermectin
Composition: 1ml contains 10 g ivermectin.
Indication: Ectoparasites like lice, tick, mite, flea, etc.
Dosage and administration: Subcutaneous injection at 1ml for 33 kg of body
weight for both prevention and treatment.
5. Oxytocin (injectable solution)
Composition: Each ml contains 10 I.U synthetic oxytocin.
Indication: Weakness and pains in the course of delivery.
Dosage and administration: Subcutaneous injection at 1ml for 33 kg of body
weight for both prevention and treatment.
6. Zodex (powder for solutions)
Composition: 500 mg mebendazole per 5 gm.
Indication: Worm (round and tapeworm) both immature and mature stages.
Dosage and administration: Dissolve the powder in their drinking water or feed
at 10 ml for 10 liters of water once a month for prevention.
7. Tylodox extra (powder for solutions)
Composition: Each 100 g contains 20 g tylosin tartrate and 15 g doxycycline
hyclate.
Indication: Diarrhea in piglets and weaners.
Dosage and administration: Dissolve in water.
For Prevention: 10 g for 10 liters of water.
For treatment: 20 g for 10 liters of water.
8. Thalazole (tablet)
Composition: Each tablet contains 500 mg phthalylsulphathiazole.
Indication: Diarrhea.
Dosage and administration: Oral (their noses were closed and they were forced
to swallow the drug).
For treatment - 1 1/2 tablet for piglets and 2 tablets for adults.
 CHAPTER THREE
GRASSCUTTER UNIT
3.1 Description of Grasscutter (Thyronomys swinderianus)
Grasscutter or giant cane rat belongs to the rodent family and look very much
like the Porcupine except that the Porcupine is bigger. The fur on the
grasscutter's back and its round nose distinguishes it from true rats.
Grasscutters live in colonies. A colony consists of 1 male and 3 or 4 females.
Male grasscutters have shorter and broader head than that of the females. The
genital organ of the female is closer to the anus than that of the male. Adult
male grasscutters are called buck while the female ones are called doe. The
young ones are called kid.

3.1 Housing and sanitation in Grasscutter Section

a) Housing
Grasscutters were kept in pens having 2 sections with an opening (hole) so that
they can move from one section to another. Food was kept in one section and
water in the other. The positions of the feed and water were usually alternated to
prevent disease and odor due to wetness. The wall of the pen was built with
concrete while the top (lid) were wooden with air spaces.
Length of the pen = 3 ft 5 in.
Height of the pen = 2 ft 3 in.
Width of the pen = 3 ft 1 in.
Length and width of the hole = 9 in.

The system for housing grasscutters in Demacco farm was the floor hutch.
There were 2 grasscutter buildings in Demacco farm. The bigger one contains
76 hutches while the small one contains 63 hutches.
 Plate 17: Grasscutter section
b) Sanitation
 The hutches were swept and the water trough washed daily.
 The hutches were disinfected every week by spraying (using a pressure
sprayer or broom) water mixed with Izal and methylated spirit on the floor of
the hutch such that it becomes damp. If it gets wet, vetsol was applied to that
area.
 The surroundings of the section were always kept neat with the grasses cut
low.

Plate 18: Sweeping of a grasscutter pen Plate 19: Disinfecting a grasscutter pen
3.2 Feeding in Grasscutter
Grasscutters are herbivorous animals i.e. their source of their food is basically
from the bush (plant). Their major food is fresh mature elephant/napier grass. In
Demacco farm, they were fed with fresh mature palm branches or elephant
grass in the morning and supplement feed in the evening. Grasscutters were also
fed with unripe paw-paw, cassava and clean water. Cassava tubers were given
to them during the dry season when the water content in it has reduced because
grasscutters don’t need much water

The supplement feed was prepared by first parboiling grinded maize. Ungrinded
maize, wheat offal, salt, soya bean cake and bone meal were added to it and
stirred very well. The supplement feed was given to them in small quantities as
left over ones cause food poisoning when eaten the next day. The supplement
feed provides the nutrients elephant grass and palm branches could not provide
for the grasscutter.

Table 3: Composition for Grasscutter Supplement Feed

Material Quantity
Maize 200 kg
Wheat offal 100 kg
Soya bean cake 10 kg
Bone meal 2 kg
Salt 1 kg
 Plate 20: Preparation of grasscutter supplement feed

Plate 21: Feeding grasscutters with palm branches Plate 22: Grasscutter water trough

3.3 Reproduction in Grasscutter

Reproduction in grasscutter is the same with other animals. The age of
reproduction for male grasscutters is 7 months and for the female, it is 8
months.

3.3.1 Crossing in grasscutter

Crossing in grasscutter was between male and female grasscutters from
different families on heat. The female is said to be in heat when her vulva
becomes yellow instead of black and she starts jumping on other grasscutters.
The male grasscutter was introduced to the female. The grasscutters to be
crossed were dewormed 4-5 days before crossing to ensure that they don't
transfer worms to the young ones.
The female grasscutter was said to be pregnant when her udder comes out. Also,
if a cotton wool is inserted into their vagina, it stains yellow.
The gestation period for grasscutter is 5 months (153 days).

3.3.2 Weaning in grasscutter

Young grasscutters just like other animals are weaned. They were weaned 1
month or 30 days after birth provided they've been fed properly.

After weaning, they were separated (at most 5 in a pen) so that they will be able
to grow well and the males don't mate with the females since they are from the
same family.

3.4 Diseases of Grasscutter

Diseases that affected the grasscutters were mainly diarrhea caused by poor
nutrition, bacterial infection, skin diseases caused by lice and tick, worm and
pneumonia caused by cold.
1. Diarrhea: This occurred in grasscutters when they were fed with premature
elephant grass.
Symptoms: Their dung changed shape from round to oval and was covered in
mucus.
Treatment: Antibiotics were given to them. Their food was mixed with
charcoal.

2. Bacterial infection: This was caused by overstocking.

Symptoms: Death of a grasscutter with presence of wood from its nose.
Treatment: N.C.O, doxy-gen, gendox, or sulfanor, were given to affected
grasscutters.
3. Worm (round worms)
Symptoms: Presence of white peck on their eyes, shrinking of the skin of the
young ones.
Treatment: Wormazine, levadex, levasol, zodex were given to them.
Grasscutters were dewormed twice a year. Deworming pregnant ones caused
abortion.

4. Skin diseases: It was caused by lice and tick.

Symptoms: Skin irritation and emaciation.
Treatment: Vetsol was sprayed in the hutch containing affected grasscutter,
Izal mixed with condemned engine oil was rubbed on their body. In a bid to
prevent skin diseases, vetsol was sprayed in their pen every 1 or 2 months.

Plate 23: Spraying vetsol in a grasscutter hutch

5. Pneumonia: It was caused by cold.
Symptoms: Swollen stomach.
Treatment: Flumosol or procok powder was mixed with their water or feed,
their pens were well covered and they were not given water in cold weather.

3.4.1 Drugs used in Grasscutter Unit in Demacco Farm

1. Oxytet 200 WSP (antibiotics)
Composition: 1 mg contains 200 mg oxytetracycline HCl.
Indication: Bacterial infection, diarrhea and weakness.
Dosage and administration: Oral through drinking water at 10g for 10liters of
water.
2. Sulfadine 333
Composition: 1ml contains 333 mg sulfadimidine.
Indication: Pneumonia and bacterial infection.
Dosage and administration: Subcutaneous injection at 1ml for 2kg of body
weight.
3. N.C.O
Composition: 1g contains 150 mg neomycin sulphate, 300 mg chloramphenicol
and 300 mg oxytetracycline HCL.
Indication: Bacterial infection and weakness.
Dosage and administration: Oral through feed and water. If mixed with feed,
use immediately. If mixed with water, use within 24 hours at 1g for 1 liter of
water.
4. Gendox (antibiotics)
Composition: 1g contains 100mg gentamycin sulphate and 50mg doxycycline
hyclate.
Indication: Bacterial infection.
Dosage and administration: Oral through drinking water at 1g for 1 liter of
water.
5. Levadex
Composition: 1 g contains 200 mg levamisole hydrochloride.
Indication: Adult and larval stages of gastrointestinal worms.
Dosage and administration: Oral through drinking water at 1g for 1 liter of
water.
6. Furasol
Composition: 1 g contains 0.5 g furaltadone HCL.
Indication: Anti-bacterial, diarrhea, weaning, infection in grasscutters giving
birth.
Dosage and administration: Oral through drinking water at 1g for 1 liter of
water.
7. Embaceryle
Composition: Each 100 g contains 3800 mg tylosin base, 4640 mg oxytet base,
and 1200 mg neomycin sulphate.
Indication: Bacteria, stress and vitamin deficiencies.
Dosage and administration: Oral through drinking water at 1g for 1 liter of
water.
8. Vetsol (powder)
Composition: Neem, fragrance, and NaHCO 3.
Indication: Exterminating tick, flea, lice and other ectoparasites.
Dosage and administration: Sprayed on their body.
9. Vitalyte (vitamin)
Composition: Vitamins, electrolytes and amino acids.
Indication: Poor growth and performance, stress, and dehydration.
Dosage and administration: Oral through drinking water at 1g for 1 liter of
water.
 CHAPTER FOUR
FISHERY UNIT
4.1 Fish Farming
Fish farming is the breeding and rearing of aquatic organisms in a restricted
water environment with the aim of achieving the highest possible production
and in the most economic manner. Fishes are cold-blooded vertebrates that live
in water, move with the help of fins and breathe using gills. They have an
average life span of 3 years although they can live up to 5 years. In Demacco
farm, the breeds of fish there were mainly catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and
tilapia fishes which were from the river.
Life cycle of a catfish:
Egg (1 day) - larva (2 days) - fry (5 days) - fingerling (3 weeks) - juvenile (7
weeks) - adult fish (12 weeks)
Starting a Fish Farm
Certain things need to be available before starting a fish farm. These things as I
was taught include;
 Make sure adequate water supply is readily available.
 Make sure the area is not stony.
 The area you want to start your fish farm should be an area that retains
water. To check for the retaining ability of that area, dig the ground (about 1
or 1.5 meters), fill it with water and after 3 days, check of the water has been
sucked up or not. If it has, look for another place or consider plastering the
inside of the pond with clay.

4.2 Fish Pond

A pond is a natural or artificial body of water usually smaller than a lake. A
fish pond is a fresh water pond with fishes in it. They can be made with plastic
(tanks), tarpaulin, concrete or they can be earthen. In Demacco farm, there were
different types of ponds used for different purposes. There were 6 hatchery
ponds where the fertilized eggs were kept, 4 plastic ponds where fries were
kept, 4 small concrete ponds where fingerlings were kept, and 10 big concrete
ponds (5 contained juvenile and adult fishes while the other 5 were for water
storage). There were earthen ponds in Demacco farm although those ones were
not in use.
In constructing a fish pond, the fish size and stage (fry, fingerling, etc) were
considered. Depending on the size of the fish, the number of fish to put in 1 msq
of the pond will be known and therefore, the size of the pond to be constructed
was known. The fish ponds were slanting for proper water flow and feeding.
4.2.1 Hatching pond
This is the pond where fertilized eggs and larva were kept. It is made with
concrete and the inside is lined with tiles. There is a tap above it for adding
water to the pond. On the floor of the pond is a net with stones keeping it in
place. There is a pipe inside the pond which leads to the water outlet. This pipe
is perforated and covered with a net so that the larva will not flow out with the
water. The building containing the hatchery ponds was secured so that frogs
don’t eat the fertilized eggs. Also, this building was kept warm by burning
charcoal in it.

Plate 24: A hatching pond

4.2.2 Plastic pond
As the name implies, it is made with plastic. Fries were kept in this pond. The
pond had 2 pipes attached to it – above and by its lower side. It was always kept
in a shade. Fishes in this pond were transferred to the concrete pond after 3
weeks.

Plate 25: A plastic pond

4.2.3 Concrete pond
In Demacco farm, the concrete ponds were linked by plastic pipes. They had
water outlets by their sides. The 4 small concrete ponds had a shade above them
and a net placed on top of them to prevent birds from eating the fishes.
Measurement: Big concrete pond: Length - 10.8 meters, width – 8.4 meters, and
depth – 3feet.
Small concrete pond: Length and width - 5.5 meters, depth – 3.4 feet.

Plate 26: A big concrete pond

 Plate 27: A small concrete pond
4.2.4 Earthen pond
In Demacco farm, earthen ponds were made with clay. They had a depth of 5
feet. In earthen ponds, the fishes were not fed regularly because the earthen
pond resembles their natural habitat. Earthen ponds were not in use in Demacco
farm during the period of my industrial training.

Plate 28: An earthen pond overgrown with grasses.

4.2.5 Fertilizing the pond
To fertilize means making more fertile by adding nutrition. This was done
mainly by adding pig or poultry dung to the pond. For a small pond, the dung
was tied in a bag and put inside the pond for the protein content of the dung to
diffuse into the pond and removed after 3 days. For very big ponds, the animal
dung was just poured into the pond. Care was taken when adding the animal
dung because if it is too much, the fishes will die.
 4.2.6 Treating the pond
Ponds in Demacco farm were rarely treated. Treating the pond is necessary
when you notice that no matter how often you wash the pond, it soon becomes
dirty with the walls being too slimy and coated white or any other color. In
ponds like this, fishes die regularly.
To treat a pond; the pond was first washed and all the water in it drained. Then
the fishes were transferred to another pond and the washed pond was left empty
for about 2 or 3 days for the sun to beat it. Whenever fishes were returned to a
treated pond, antibiotics were added to the water.

4.2.7 Pond water management

The quality of the pond water to a great extent determines how well fishes yield
the desired profit because water is the life of fishes. The water used in rearing
fishes as I was taught should;
i be light green in color. cloudy green of black colored water is detrimental to
their health.
ii have a ph of 6-8. if the ph is 3.5, a calculated amount of animal dung should
be added to it to make it basic (ph 8).
iii not be clear or colorless as it stresses the fishes especially if they can see
you.
iv be changed every 3 weeks provided the source of the water is neat. also
depending on the type of feed given to the fishes, the time for changing the
water can vary. e.g. if the fishes are fed with maggots that were not
harvested properly, the pond water can be changed every 10 days or 2
weeks.
v be fresh water not salt water.
vi got from a neat source that is free from diseases and parasites that may affect
the health of the fish.
Before changing the pond water, the ponds were washed. The water in the
ponds were drained by opening the water outlet (first cover it with a net so the
fish don't escape) or using a water pump.

Plate 29: Washing a concrete pond

4.3 Hatching in Fish
Hatching is the production of young ones from an egg. It is done in a hatchery.
Materials used for hatching in Demacco farm were razor blade, normal saline,
clean water, stick, plank, scoop net, salt, plastic bowl, spoon and plate,
ovaprim, KMnO4, formalin, electronic scale, Pasteur pipette and cup. Catfish
was used for hatching from 9 months.
Hatching Preparations:
 The bowl, plate and spoon were properly washed.
 The pipe, net, and stones in the hatching pond were washed with salt and
water.
 Normal saline was mixed with water at 4.5 g/500 ml of water.
 KMnO4 was diluted using water at 2.8 g/250 ml of water.

4.3.1 Selection of brood/parent stock

a) The male and female fishes used in hatching as I was taught should;
b) Be culturable.
c) Have high disease resistant ability and be healthy.
d) Have desirable traits like early maturing periods.
 e) High meat and taste quality.
f) Acceptable to people (have a high market value).

4.3.2 Artificial insemination

This implies artificially impregnating the female fish. In catfish, it is a chain of
activities which involves; hypophysation, stripping of the eggs from the female
spawner, procurement of milt from the male, fertilizing the eggs, and incubation
of the eggs. Mature male and female fishes were used for artificial insemination.
To know a mature fish,
 The abdomen of the female spawner was swollen and well distended.
 The genital papilla was swollen and reddish or rose colored.

Plate 30: A mature female fish

4.3.3 Hypophysation
This involves the injection of hormones that hasten the maturing/ripening of the
eggs and spurring or exciting the male to release the milt. The hormone given to
them in Demacco farm was called ovaprim. The female spawner was injected in
the evening (at cool temperature) few hours (at most 10 hours) before hatching
at 0.5 ml for 1 kg body weight. The greater the quantity of ovaprim given to the
female, the lesser the time it takes for the eggs to mature although overdose
weakens or kills the fish.
Plate 31: Obtaining pituitary (hormone) from a fish Plate 32: Ovaprim (injectable solution)

4.3.4 Stripping of the eggs

This was done by gently pressing the female spawner's abdomen with a thumb
from the pectoral fin towards the genital papilla. The mature eggs were pressed
into a bowl. Care must be taken in the timing, because if the eggs are stripped
too early, they came out with difficulty and if they are stripped too late, they
had a 'flush' appearance.
Failure or problems arose during stripping due to;
 Using wrong concentration of the hormone.
 Reducing the activity of the hormone due to bad storage conditions.
 Stress on the female spawner during latency time (between hypophysation
and stripping).

Plate 33: A female spawner being stripped of her eggs Plate 34: Stripped eggs in a plastic bowl
4.3.5 Procurement of the milt
This was done by sacrificing the male and dissecting its testis. Small incisions
were made into the cream-colored loops of the testis and the milt was pressed
into the bowl. It is essential to avoid any contact of the milt with water as water
destroys the milt completely. The milt can be stored in the refrigerator for 1 or 2
days without affecting its activity or preserved in 0.6 - 0.9% of saline solution.

Plate 35: A dissected testis in a plastic plate

4.3.6 Fertilization of the eggs
After stripping the female spawner of her egg, few drops of the milt were added
to it and the bowl shook gently to mix them (It can also be done using a plastic
spoon or a bird's feather). Mixing the two was facilitated by adding
physiological salt solution (NaCl). The eggs were fertilized by adding the same
volume of clean water.
After 60 seconds, the eggs were fertilized and the milt had lost its fertilizing
ability. The mixture was continually stirred so that the fertilized eggs don't stick
together in one clump.

Plate 36: Adding the milt to the eggs

 4.3.7 Incubation of the eggs
Incubation implies the process used to develop the life within the eggs.
Fertilized fish eggs were incubated in running water in a hatching pond. The
eggs were spread homogenously at 5 ml/liter of water. The water temperature
for fast hatching is 37-40°C. The higher the temperature, the quicker the eggs
hatch. Daily treatment with KMn04 at 10 mg/l was done to prevent heavy
outbreak of fungal infections.

Plate 37: Incubating the fertilized eggs Plate 38: Treating a hatching pond with KMnO4

Causes of egg mortality during incubation

i. Wrong latency period.
ii. Incubation of more than one layer of egg per pond.
iii. Highly stressing the female spawner during the latency period.
iv. Poor incubation conditions like water quality, pH, and oxygen.
v. Wrong concentration of fungicides.
vi. High egg density. Eggs were incubated at 0.1 g of eggs per liter.

4.4 Rearing of the Larvae

The fertilized eggs hatch after 3 or 4 days depending on the conditions
available. Once the eggs hatched, the rate of flow of the dripping water was
increased because the larva needs more oxygen than the eggs. The larva was
separated from the egg shells and dead eggs by turning the net inside the pond
upside down so that the larva swam out leaving dirt composing of empty shells,
dead or spoiled eggs.
During the larval stage, the following were strictly observed;
1. Water flow rate was maintained at 1 L/minute. A very high water flow rate
pressed the larva against the pond or filter surface.
2. The environment was air saturated (highly oxygenated). A water pump was
used to supply oxygen.
3. Temperature used for rearing the larva was 30°C. Too low (<22°C) of too
high (>36°C) temperature decreased larva development.
4. Water was clean, highly oxygenated, and free from parasites and predators.
5. The larva was properly fed with Artemia shell free feed.
6. Schedule daily prophylaxis was applied to prevent disease outbreak.

4.4.1 Technology of rearing

The larva became a fry 3 or 4 days when two-thirds of the yolk sac had been
absorbed. This was signaled by the vigorous swimming of the fry in a fish-like
manner in search of external food. Failure to find food weakens them beyond
recovery and stimulates cannibalism. Therefore, they were fed up to 6 times a
day between 6 am to 8 pm and preferably every 3-4 hours. The fry's behavior
was used as an indicator for the quantity of feed to be given to them. Hungry fry
swam vigorously in the water column whereas well-fed ones clustered at the
bottom of the pond and had a considerably swollen belly.

4.5 Feeding in Fishes

Fishes feed on cooked rice, bread, soft ripe paw-paw, animal intestine, maggot
and formulated feed. Fish larva and fry feed on Artemia feed while other fish
stages feed on coppen depending on their size.
There are 12 stages of fish feed depending on their size. They are; Artemia, 0.1-
0.2 mm, 0.2-0.5 mm, 0.5-1 mm, 1.2-1.5 mm, 1.5-2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6
mm, 7 mm, and 8 mm coppen.

Plate 39: A bag of fish feed (coppens) Plate 40: A student feeding the fishes

Formulated fish feed: It was prepared in the fishery unit using mixer and
extruder machine. Formula for making the feed is:
Table 4: Composition for locally made fish feed
Ingredients Quantity
Grinded maize 40kg
Less fat soya bean cake 48kg
Blood meal 12kg
Fish meal 12kg
Methionine 100g
Lysine 100g
Premix 200g
Dry spent grain 0.5kg
Water 5 liters
Method:
 Grinded maize was mixed with water and floxinor was added to the mixture.
 The other ingredients were poured into the bowl containing the soya bean
cake.
 The contents of the two bowls were poured into the mixer simultaneously.
 Afterwards, the mixture was poured into the extruder.
 The processed feed was spread on a mat to dry.

Plate 41: Processes involved in making fish feed.

4.6 Catfish Diseases

Common catfish diseases encountered in Demacco farm are grouped into 3.
They are bacterial diseases, fungal diseases, and protozoan diseases.
a) Bacterial Diseases
1. Myxobacteria marinum: This bacterium caused a chronic progressive fish
disease. Poor overall water quality, high fish density, and some nutritional
deficiencies were favorable to the growth of this bacterium.
Symptoms: Pop eyes, fin erosion, loss of appetite, slow movement of the fish,
fish stays atop the water, and unusual discolorations especially on the fin and
barbel.
Treatment: All dead fishes were discarded. Antibiotics (oxytetracycline,
erythromycin, or streptomycin) were added daily to the feed for a minimum of
one month.
2. Infectious dropsy: It is also called ascites usually caused by Aeromonas.
Symptoms: Red sores/streaks on the fish's body, distended abdomen,
deformation of the backbone, and ulcers on the skin.
Treatment: Dead fishes were removed as soon as possible and burnt; epsom
salt was added to the pond containing affected fishes.

b) Fungal diseases
1. Saprolegniasis: This was the only fungal disease found in Demacco farm. It
was caused by saprolegnia specie called 'water molds'. It was particularly
prolific in eggs, larva and early fry. It attacked weakened places in fish. Poor
water quality and circulation, overcrowding (especially during spawning) and
poor nutrition were favorable to its growth.
Symptoms: Reddish brown colorations on skin, fin, eyes and fish eggs, moulds
begin to grow on their skin, respiratory distress (if gills were involved), and
death.
Treatment: Formalin or KMnO4 was added to the water.
Over treatment damaged the fish tissues resulting in recurring infection.
c) Protozoan Diseases
1. Costiasis: It was caused by protozoan parasite specie called Ichthyobodo
necatrix. It attacked skin and gills of fishes causing lesions.
Symptoms: Swollen gills, affected skin showing steel-gray discoloration,
lethargy and respiratory distress.
Treatment: KMnO4 or CuSO4 was added to the water. Affected fish was dipped
in a bath of 5-10% NaCl for 5-20 minutes daily for 1 week.

There were some diseases that their causes are not yet known. They include:
Broken head disease: This disease occurred as a result of the destruction of the
air - breathing organs which led to the inflammation of the skull. This
inflammation of the skull resulted in a lateral skull break. This disease was seen
only in adult catfishes.
Symptoms: Soft cranium, deformed barbel, pops eyes.
Treatment: Clean water was always used for the ponds, overcrowding and
rough handling of the fishes were avoided, and the fishes were always given
balanced feed.

Plate 42: A catfish with broken head disease

Ruptured intestine syndrome: This disease occurred within a period of 30days
(1 month). It affected young fishes (5-9 weeks old) which were fed at high
feeding level. It occurred in 5 stages;
 1. Local inflammation of the gut.
2. Rupture of the gut.
3. Peritonitis producing a hemorrhagic smelling fluid in the abdominal cavity.
4. Ulcer of internal origin, of the ventral abdominal wall.
5. Disappearance of a greater part of the gut and ventral abdominal wall.
Treatment: The amount of feed given to the fishes was reduced, dead ones
were removed as soon as possible.
4.7 Prophylaxis
Prophylaxis denotes measures that are necessary for preventing outbreak of
diseases. Common drugs used for prophylaxis in fish are;
i. KMnO4 - general prophylactic drug used in hatchery to kill bacteria. It was
added into the hatching pond within 1 hour of adding the fertilized eggs. It
was also added to the pond containing the fingerlings at 2 ppm.
ii. Formalin – was added to the pond containing the larva 1 or 2 days after
hatching to kill bacteria. It was used for daily treatment at 15 ppm till they
reached juvenile stage.
iii. Furaltadone.
iv. Malachite green.
Therapeutics; This goes with curative measures to stop an outbreak of disease.
Therapeutic drugs used were penicillin, oxytetracycline, chloramphenicol,
malachite green, KMnO 4.

4.8 Maggot Production

Maggots are soft, legless larva of fly or other dipterous insect that often eat
decomposing organic matter. They were used in feeding the fishes in Demacco
farm as they serve as good source of protein for the fishes.
4.8.1 Culturing the maggot
Maggots are best cultured using a mixture of pig dung, quail dung, waste from
grasscutter pens, water and animal intestine. In Demacco farm, the materials
used in culturing maggots were; pig dung, wet (fresh) spent grain, water, shovel,
wheel barrow and watering can.
Method:
 The pig dung and spent grain were mixed thoroughly at a ratio of 3:1.
 A little water was added to the mixture to make it moist. This increases the
odor of the mixture so as to attract flies.

Plate 43: Culturing maggots

4.8.2 Harvesting the maggot
After 2 days, the eggs laid by the flies have turned into larva (maggot). To
harvest the maggots, the following was needed; short thick broom, dry spent
grain, big bowl, wheel barrow and a parker.
Method:
a. The mixture of the pig dung and spent grain were carefully swept out leaving
the maggot. Dry spent grain was added to the mixture at intervals. The dry
spent grain made the maggot settle at the bottom of the mixture.
b. The maggots were packed into a bowl.
The harvested maggots were fed to the fishes as soon as they were harvested so
that they don’t turn into flies.
Plate 44: Harvested maggots in a bowl
 CHAPTER FIVE
FEEDMILL UNIT

This is the place where animal feed is processed. In Demacco farm, the raw
material and equipment used in feed production were kept here. Animal feed
processed in the feed mill unit in Demacco farm were rice chaff, formulated pig
feed, grasscutter supplement feed, and poultry feed.

5.1 Equipment Used in feedmill unit and their uses

The equipment used in feed mill unit in Demacco farm were the electric mixer,
crusher, weighing balance, weighing scale, wheel cart, nose mask, ear muff, and
thresher.
Electric mixer: This was used in mixing the ingredients of the feed. It was
powered by the generator. The ingredients poured into the mixer were left for
10 minutes to ensure proper mixing.

Plate 45: An electric mixer

Crusher: This machine was used in crushing or grinding some raw materials
used in making feed like maize and rice chaff. It can be linked to the mixer so
that the ingredients after they've been crushed can be mixed. It was also
powered by the generator.

Plate 44: A crusher

Flatform Weighing balance: It was used to measure the weight of the raw
materials used in making feed. It was used most especially for measuring
weight in kilogram (kg).

Plate 45: A flatform weighing balance

Weighing Scale: It is smaller than the weighing balance. It was mainly used to
measure weight in grams (g).

Plate 48: A weighing scale

Wheel Cart: This was used to carry feed or raw materials from one place to
another in the unit.

Plate 49: A wheel cart

Nose mask: It was worn on the nose to prevent catarrh or nose irritation that
may occur due to much dust in the unit.

Plate 50: A nose mask

Ear muff: This was worn on the ear. It reduces the intensity of the noise heard
from the machines.
Thresher: This was the machine used in threshing corn. It has its own engine
that uses gasoline.

Plate 51: Maize being threshed with a thresher

Grinder: This machine was used to grind raw materials used in producing
animal feed like soya beans, it has its own engine.

Plate 52: Grinding soya beans using a grinder

5.3 Sanitation Measures in the Feedmill Unit

Diseases thrive well in dirty environment. If the feed mill unit is dirty, the feed
produced there would be contaminated and therefore lead to outbreak of certain
diseases in the farm. The following were some sanitation measures observed in
the unit;
 Proper ventilation was ensured.
 Foot wears were not worn into the unit to avoid infection.
 Materials and equipment used in the unit were not used elsewhere.
 The unit was swept daily and cleaned every week because of the dust.
 The surroundings of the unit were kept neat with short grasses.
 The water in the foot dip was changed at least every 3 days and disinfectant
added.
 Bags used in putting the processed feed were always kept neat.
 The unit was kept dry at all times as wet conditions foster the growth of
pathogens.
 CHAPTER SIX
CROP UNIT

Demacco farm is an integrated farm where products from one unit are used in
another unit. The crops grown in Demacco farm were either given to the
animals raw or used in making their feed while the animal dung and waste
gotten from their buildings served as manure for the crops. Certain crops like
maize, cassava, soya bean, plantain, palm, Moringa origofera, ogbono (Irvingia
gabonensis or African bush mango) and fruits like paw-paw, banana, guava,
mango and orange were planted in Demacco farm.

6.1 Cultural Practices

These were the practices carried out in the farm before, during and after
planting crops. They are grouped into 3 operations; pre-planting, planting and
post-planting operations.
6.1.1 Pre-planting operations
These were the operations carried out in the farm before planting crops. It
involved mainly the preparation of the soil. These operations include;
Choosing a site: Certain factors considered in choosing a site on which to plant
crops include; availability of water, soil depth, topography of the site, soil type
and soil quality (salinity, pH, fertility, etc).
Clearing: This is done using a bulldozer especially if it is a virgin land or one
that has been left to fallow. It was done using the tractor, machete or cutlass in
Demacco farm.
Ploughing: In Demacco farm, because the farm land is cultivated every year,
ploughing is the first pre-planting operation done. It involved breaking the
ground into furrows for planting. It was done using a plough which was tractor-
coupled.

In Demacco farm, ploughing was done 2 times. The 2nd one was done 4 days
after the first one. The ploughed land was left for about 1 month after the first
ploughing for the grasses to decompose.
Harrowing: This involved the smoothening, breaking up of the soil and
removal of weeds. It was done using a harrow which is also tractor-coupled.
Manure/fertilizer application: Organic manure which might be pig or poultry
dung was added to the soil to increase the soil's fertility. Fertilizer was also
applied using the broadcasting method.

Plate 53: A bag of fertilizer Plate 54: A student broadcasting fertilizer on a

ploughed farmland
Ridging: This is the making of ridges on the farm land. It was done using a
ridger (also tractor-coupled). In Demacco farm, ridges were 75 cm apart. The
top of a ridge is called the crest while the down part is the furrow.

6.1.2 Planting Operations

They are:
Planting: This involved placing a seed or plant in the soil (or any other
substrate) in order that it may live and grow. In Demacco farm, cassava was
planted by stem cutting and 75 cm apart, maize was planted using the seed at 25
cm apart and 3-4 cm deep, Moringa oleifera was planted by stem cutting and 75
cm apart also. Paw-paw was planted 75 cm apart.

Plate 55: A bag of corn Plate 56: A student planting cassava

Transplanting: This involved uprooting a plant (usually a young plant) from

the nursery and planting it in another place usually the main farm land. Crops
that were transplanted in Demacco farm were paw-paw and Moringa origofera.

6.1.3 Post-planting operations

These were operations done in the farm after planting. They are;
Supplying: This was done in order to make up for the crops which didn't grow
well or the seeds that didn't sprout.
Manure/fertilizer application: Urea was the manure applied at this stage. Each
hectare took 100 kg of urea at 8 kg per stand of corn. Urea was applied to the
corn 35 days after planting. Fertilizer was also applied at 6 bags (50 kg each)
per hectare. It was applied using the side band method (applying fertilizer at the
sides of the plant away from the base).
Weeding: This is the act of removing unwanted vegetation from a cultivated
area. In Demacco farm, weeding was done in 2 ways;
Cultural method (using hoe, machete or cutlass) and chemical method (using
chemicals). The chemical method was the main method used because of the
large size of farm. The chemicals used are called herbicides. These herbicides
were either contact, systematic, selective or non-selective herbicides. The
contact herbicides killed the weeds once there was contact between the weed
and the herbicide. Systematic herbicides killed the weed when in contact with
the meristerm from where it goes down to the root. Selective herbicides were
formulated specially to kill the weeds and isolate the crop e.g. paraquate for
maize. Non-selective herbicides killed any crop and weed they come in contact
with.

In Demacco farm, these herbicides are sprayed using a knapsack sprayer. 200 or
250 ml of the herbicide is mixed with 20 liters of water. Wearing of nose masks
and rubber boots are necessary while using this sprayer because the chemical
(herbicide) is very strong and corrosive and therefore very dangerous to human
health.

Plate 57: A knapsack sprayer Plate 58: An herbicide (weedcrusher)

Plate 59: A student spraying herbicides on a maize farm

Harvesting: This is the gathering of the ripened crops. It was done manually in
Demacco farm; cassava was harvested by uprooting and maize by picking the
corn cobs.
Processing: This involved the procedures used in producing an animal feed.
Cassava tubers when harvested were fed to the pigs while maize was husked,
dried, threshed and dried again.
Storage: The processed maize were bagged and kept in cool and dry places
pending the time they are needed.

Plate 60: Bags of processed feeds

 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

The 6 months industrial training has really changed my orientation towards my

course (zoology) as it has exposed me to series of practical under my course. It
has indeed widened my horizon and given me more insight that will be of
immense help after graduation. With the knowledge gotten during this training,
I can become self-employed after school.

I thank the SIWES unit for granting me this opportunity to be practically

exposed in my field of study. I recommend that the SIWES unit will continue
with the work of scouting for IT place flies students as it reduces the stress of
getting an IT placement. I also recommend that the supervisors from the
institution should be well sponsored to enable them visit students at their places
of attachment.