Poultry Rearing in a Fold
22 Grade 8 Agriculture questions on Poultry Rearing in a Fold, with worked marking schemes. 22 questions are available on this topic in full.
Question 1
4 marksA Grade 8 learner keeps 15 chickens in a movable fold on the school farm.
(a) State two reasons why the fold should be moved to a fresh area regularly. (2 marks)
(b) Give two features that make a fold suitable for keeping poultry. (2 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Any two (1 mark each): to provide birds with fresh forage/grass; to prevent build-up of droppings and reduce parasites/diseases; to spread manure evenly over the ground; to give birds clean ground. (b) Any two (1 mark each): part is roofed/covered for shelter from sun and rain; walls of wire mesh for air and light; light in weight so it can be moved easily; has provision for feed and water; strong enough to keep out predators.
Question 2
1 markWhen rearing layers in a fold, adequate clean water and balanced feed must be provided because they:
A. Encourage diseases and should be limited
B. Support egg production and bird health
C. Are obtained fully from grass alone
D. Reduce the number of eggs laid
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 3
1 markWhich of the following is a benefit of the droppings that poultry leave on the ground in the fold system?
A. They attract predators to feed on the birds
B. They cause the grass to stop growing permanently
C. They fertilise the ground where the fold has stood
D. They make the soil infertile
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 4
1 markIn the fold system of rearing poultry, the birds are:
A. Kept permanently in cages off the ground
B. Housed in a deep-litter house with no run
C. Confined in a movable pen that is shifted to fresh ground
D. Left to roam freely over the whole farm
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 5
6 marksA family keeps twenty improved chickens and decides to rear them using a fold unit that is moved around the compound rather than confining the birds in one place.
(a) Give TWO advantages of using a fold unit for rearing the chickens. (2 marks)
(b) (i) State ONE disadvantage of the fold system. (1 mark)
(b) (ii) Describe THREE features a well-constructed fold unit should have to keep the birds healthy and safe. (3 marks)
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Advantages of the fold unit (any TWO, 1 mark each): - The birds get fresh ground regularly as the fold is moved, reducing build-up of disease and parasites. - Birds obtain natural food (insects, green plants, seeds) from the fresh ground, lowering feeding costs. - Droppings are spread over the land, manuring the ground/pasture. - Birds get exercise and fresh air, improving health. (b) (i) Disadvantage (any ONE, 1 mark): labour is needed to move the fold frequently; birds are exposed to predators/bad weather if the fold is poorly made; limited number of birds per unit; difficult to manage in wet weather. (b) (ii) Features of a good fold unit (any THREE, 1 mark each): - A sheltered/roofed section to protect birds from rain and hot sun. - Strong wire mesh sides to keep out predators while allowing the birds to feed on the ground. - Light, portable frame so it can easily be moved to fresh ground. - Provision for feeders and drinkers, and a perch/laying area. - Open-bottom (floorless) design so the birds can scratch and feed on the grass.
Question 6
1 markThe part of a poultry fold that gives the birds shelter from rain and hot sun is the:
A. Ground below the fold
B. Open wire-mesh run
C. Covered/roofed section
D. Movable handle
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 7
1 markTo keep a poultry fold light enough for one person to move easily, it should be constructed using:
A. Heavy stone walls
B. Solid concrete slabs
C. Light timber frames and wire mesh
D. Thick iron plates
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 8
3 marksState three reasons why cleanliness and provision of clean water are important when rearing poultry in a fold. (3 marks)
(3 marks)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 9
5 marks(a) Describe the fold system of rearing poultry. (2 marks)
(b) State three advantages of this system over the free-range system. (3 marks)
(5 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) The fold system is a method where poultry are confined in a small movable pen (part roofed, part open with wire mesh) that is regularly shifted to a fresh piece of ground so the birds get fresh forage while being contained (2 marks). (b) Any three (1 mark each): birds are protected from predators; easier to manage/feed and control diseases; droppings fertilise the ground/manure is spread; birds are easy to locate and collect eggs; less wandering so less risk of loss; feeding can be controlled for better production.
Question 10
1 markA learner keeps chickens in a movable fold unit on the school compound and shifts it to a fresh patch of ground every few days. What is the MAIN advantage of moving the fold regularly?
A. It gives the birds fresh forage and clean ground while spreading droppings
B. It makes the birds lay fewer eggs
C. It increases the spread of diseases
D. It removes the need to feed the birds at all
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 11
1 markA farmer keeps chickens in a movable fold (chicken tractor) on the open field. After a few days the grass inside the fold becomes bare and the droppings build up. What is the CORRECT action the farmer should take next?
A. Leave the fold in the same spot for the whole month
B. Move the fold to a fresh patch of ground
C. Remove the roof of the fold permanently
D. Stop feeding the birds for two days
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 12
1 markA disadvantage of the fold system of rearing poultry is that:
A. No labour is needed to move it
B. It can only hold a small number of birds at a time
C. Birds cannot access any green forage
D. Predators can never be kept away
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 13
1 markA farmer rearing chickens in a fold finds that some birds are pecked by predators at night. Which improvement to the fold would BEST protect the birds?
A. Removing the roof completely
B. Leaving the door open at night
C. Painting the fold a bright colour
D. Covering the sides and top with strong wire mesh
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 14
1 markA Grade 8 learner rearing chickens in a fold notices that during the hot afternoon the birds pant and crowd at one end. To improve the welfare of the birds in the fold during hot weather, the learner should ensure that the fold has:
A. No openings at all to keep heat in
B. A shaded section and adequate ventilation
C. Wet muddy floor throughout the day
D. Only one feeding point for all birds
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 15
1 markA major advantage of rearing poultry in a fold compared to a free-range system is that:
A. Feed costs are always eliminated completely
B. Birds are protected from predators and easily managed
C. Birds have no access to fresh forage
D. No cleaning of the unit is ever required
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 16
1 markWhich management practice helps to control internal parasites when rearing poultry in a fold?
A. Feeding birds droppings from the ground
B. Keeping the fold on the same spot for months
C. Never providing clean water
D. Regularly moving the fold to clean ground
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 17
4 marksGive two advantages and two disadvantages of rearing poultry in a fold. (4 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
Advantages (any two, 1 mark each): protection from predators; easy management and disease control; birds get fresh forage; droppings fertilise the ground. Disadvantages (any two, 1 mark each): holds only a small number of birds; labour needed to move it regularly; can be damaged/worn quickly; birds may be exposed to bad weather if poorly roofed.
Question 18
1 markA suitable material for making the walls of a poultry fold that allows light and air while keeping birds in is:
A. Clear glass sheets
B. Thick polythene sheeting all round
C. Solid concrete blocks
D. Wire mesh (chicken wire)
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 19
4 marksA farmer wants to construct a poultry fold using locally available materials.
(a) Name two materials suitable for the frame and walls. (2 marks)
(b) Explain one reason why the fold should be light in weight. (2 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Any two (1 mark each): light timber/wood/off-cuts for the frame; wire mesh/chicken wire for the walls; iron sheet or thatch/grass for the roof section. (b) It should be light so that one or two people can easily lift and move it to a fresh patch of ground regularly without straining, allowing frequent shifting for fresh forage and parasite control (2 marks).
Question 20
1 markWhy is a poultry fold moved to a new patch of ground regularly?
A. To make the birds walk more for exercise only
B. To hide the birds from the farmer
C. To keep the same worn-out grass permanently
D. To give birds fresh forage and reduce build-up of droppings and parasites
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 21
4 marksA farmer keeps improved kienyeji chickens in a movable fold unit (ark) that is shifted to a fresh patch of ground each day on her compound.
(a) Give TWO reasons why the fold unit is moved to a new position regularly. (2 marks)
(b) State TWO advantages, other than fresh ground, of rearing the chickens in a fold unit rather than allowing them to roam freely. (2 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Any TWO reasons (1 mark each): - Moving the fold gives the birds access to fresh grass, green forage and insects to feed on. - It prevents the build-up of droppings, parasites and disease-causing organisms in one spot, so the birds stay healthier. - It allows the manure (droppings) to be spread evenly to fertilise different parts of the land/grass. - It avoids overgrazing/destruction of vegetation in one place by allowing the grazed patch to recover. (b) Any TWO advantages (1 mark each): - The birds are protected from predators (e.g. hawks, dogs, mongoose) while still being outdoors. - The birds are easy to control and manage (e.g. feeding, watering, counting and treating) since they are confined. - It prevents the birds from destroying crops, gardens or neighbours' property. - It reduces the risk of loss/theft and keeps the birds together for easy collection of eggs.
Question 22
1 markWhich of the following is provided inside a poultry fold to enable birds to eat and drink?
A. A sewing machine
B. Feeders and drinkers
C. A grinding mill
D. A milking machine
(1 mark)
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