Grade 10 Agriculture ā Breeds of Livestock Quiz
1. Which cattle breed is an indigenous Kenyan beef breed known for heat tolerance and resistance to local diseases?
The Boran is an indigenous East African beef breed well adapted to Kenya's hot, dry conditions and is resistant to many local diseases compared with exotic breeds.
2. Which dairy breed is widely used in Kenya for high milk production on commercial farms?
Friesian (Holstein-Friesian) cows are known for very high milk yields and are commonly kept on larger dairy farms in Kenya.
3. Which breed, originally from the Indian subcontinent, is used in Kenya for its heat tolerance and tick resistance while still giving good milk?
Sahiwal cattle are Bos indicus dairy animals from South Asia that perform well in Kenya because of heat tolerance and tick resistance with reasonable milk yields.
4. Which pig breed is commonly kept for good meat production and is adaptable to smallholder systems in Kenya?
The Large White is a common pig breed known for good growth and meat quality, and it is widely kept by smallholder and commercial producers in Kenya.
5. Which sheep breed, developed in South Africa, is popular in Kenya for meat production and for shedding its fleece?
The Dorper is a hair sheep that sheds its fleece (no shearing needed) and was developed for meat; it is well suited to Kenya's dry areas.
6. Which goat breed is indigenous to Kenya (often called East African or Red goat) and is valued for its resilience in arid areas?
The Galla (East African) goat is native to the region and is hardy, surviving drought and poor grazing better than many exotic breeds.
7. Which goat breed of Swiss origin is kept in Kenya mainly for high milk production?
Saanen goats are a Swiss dairy breed known for high milk yields and are used by Kenyan farmers who focus on goat milk production.
8. Which goat breed from South Africa is now common in Kenya because it grows quickly and is used mainly for meat?
Boer goats are a meat breed with fast growth and good carcass qualities; they have been adopted by Kenyan farmers for meat production.
9. Which term describes the locally adapted Kenyan indigenous chicken usually kept by households for eggs and meat while scavenging for feed?
Kienyeji (indigenous) chickens are hardy, scavenge for food, and are well adapted to village conditions in Kenya for both eggs and meat.
10. Which chicken breed is known for good brown egg production and is commonly used in Kenyan small-scale egg enterprises?
Rhode Island Red is a dual-purpose breed that lays many brown eggs and is popular with small-scale egg producers in Kenya.
11. Which general cattle type has a hump and large dewlap, commonly seen among pastoralists in Kenya?
Zebu cattle (Bos indicus) have a characteristic hump and loose skin; they are common among Kenyan pastoral communities because of their heat tolerance.
12. Which sheep breed found in Kenya is especially noted for resistance to internal parasites?
The Red Maasai sheep is an indigenous East African breed resistant to gastrointestinal parasites, making it valuable in pastoral areas of Kenya.
13. Which cattle breed gives milk with relatively high butterfat, making it useful for smallholder dairy farmers in Kenya?
Jersey cows produce milk with high butterfat content, which is helpful for processing dairy products and suits smallholder farmers who sell milk locally.
14. Which cattle breed is known for loose skin, drooping ears, and strong heat tolerance, commonly used in tropical areas including some Kenyan farms?
Brahman cattle (originating from India/USA development) have loose skin and other features that help them tolerate heat and parasites, so they are used in tropical Kenyan areas.
15. Which sheep breed is primarily kept for fine wool rather than meat and is not well suited to Kenya's hot lowlands?
Merino sheep produce fine, high-quality wool but prefer temperate climates, so they are less suited to hot Kenyan lowlands compared with hair sheep like Dorper.
16. What is the main advantage of keeping indigenous livestock breeds in Kenya?
Indigenous breeds are generally better adapted to local diseases, heat and drought; they may not give as much milk as exotics but survive better under Kenyan conditions.
17. What is the name of the breeding practice that mixes two different breeds to combine useful traits (for example, high milk yield and local adaptability)?
Crossbreeding involves mating animals of different breeds to produce offspring with combined desirable traits, such as improved milk yield and local adaptation.
18. Which practice involves choosing the best animals to be parents of the next generation to improve a breed over time?
Selective breeding (artificial selection) is choosing animals with desirable traits to reproduce, gradually improving those traits in the herd or flock.
19. Which beef cattle breed, valued for good meat quality and marbling, is also kept by some Kenyan farmers?
Angus cattle are prized for beef quality and marbling; some Kenyan farmers keep Angus or Angus crosses for improved meat.
20. Which dairy cattle breed has red-brown and white patches, originated in Scotland, and is found among Kenyan smallholders?
Ayrshire cattle are red and white dairy cows originating from Scotland; they are used by some Kenyan farmers for moderate milk production and good hardiness.
21. Which Kenyan-bred commercial chicken hybrid was developed for good growth and egg production in local conditions?
Kenbro is a Kenyan commercial hybrid developed to give better growth and egg performance while being more suited to local production systems than some pure exotics.
22. What is the main disadvantage of exotic livestock breeds when kept under typical Kenyan smallholder conditions?
Exotic breeds often give higher yields but are less adapted to Kenya's climate and local diseases, making them more vulnerable unless well managed.
23. Which sheep type is called a 'hair sheep' and does not need shearing because it sheds its coatāmaking it suitable for arid parts of Kenya?
Dorper sheep are hair sheep that shed, so they require no shearing and are hardy in dry areasātraits that suit many parts of Kenya.
24. Which trait is most important when selecting animals for beef production?
Beef breeders prioritize animals that convert feed efficiently into body weight and grow fast, producing meat more economically.
25. Which practice helps maintain the purity of a livestock breed on a farm?
To keep a breed pure, farmers use purebred sires and control mating to avoid unwanted crossbreeding and preserve breed characteristics.