Explain animal health practices.

Explanation should include

  • identifying signs of animal health
    • contentment
    • herd or flock behavior
    • aggression
    • respiration
    • appetite and drinking
    • alertness
    • characteristics of feces and urine
    • pulse rate
    • hiding

  • identifying how a handler should respond to each behavior
  • using preventive medicine
  • breeding methods used to improve health outcomes, control disease, and prevent production losses
  • keeping accurate records
  • maintaining the facility.

Process/Skill Questions:

  • What animal behaviors indicate stress or poor health?
  • What animal behaviors indicate aggression?
  • How are animals immunized?
  • How are appropriate injection sites identified?
  • What measures can be put into place in your facility to keep the animals healthy?
  • What is biosecurity? Why is biosecurity important in maintaining an animal's health?