Healing Hooves Quiz Quiz

Explore essential concepts of livestock health care, focusing on disease prevention, nutrition, and animal husbandry best practices. This quiz is ideal for those seeking to strengthen their understanding of management strategies in agricultural settings.

  1. Disease Prevention

    Which method is most effective in minimizing the spread of infectious diseases among livestock housed together?

    1. Painting animal hooves
    2. Quarantine of new animals
    3. Adding salt to water
    4. Feeding animals extra grain

    Explanation: Quarantining new animals helps prevent introduction of diseases to the existing herd. Feeding animals extra grain improves nutrition but does not address disease control. Painting hooves is useful for treating hoof problems but not infectious disease. Adding salt to water manages mineral intake, not infections.

  2. Nutrition and Growth

    Why is it important to provide balanced rations containing essential vitamins and minerals to dairy cattle?

    1. To promote optimal milk production
    2. To reduce feed costs
    3. To ensure loud vocalizations
    4. To increase wool length

    Explanation: Balanced rations ensure cows get necessary nutrients for health and high milk yield. Reducing feed costs may compromise nutrition. Increasing wool length is not relevant for dairy cattle. Loud vocalizations do not indicate health or productivity.

  3. Parasite Control

    What is a reliable way to control internal parasites in sheep on a pasture-based system?

    1. Rotational grazing
    2. Increasing salt blocks
    3. Daily shearing
    4. Constant confinement

    Explanation: Rotational grazing disrupts parasite life cycles and reduces exposure. Constant confinement can increase disease stress. Daily shearing isn't related to parasite control. Salt blocks meet mineral needs but do not treat internal parasites.

  4. Vaccinations

    When should calves typically receive their initial vaccination against clostridial diseases?

    1. At about 2–3 months old
    2. After their second lactation
    3. At one year of age
    4. Right after birth

    Explanation: The first vaccine dose is usually given at 2–3 months old when maternal antibodies wane. Right after birth is too early. One year of age and after second lactation are too late, leaving the animal unprotected.

  5. Signs of Illness

    Which observable sign most likely indicates a goat may be suffering from a respiratory infection?

    1. High milk yield
    2. Smooth shiny coat
    3. Increased feed intake
    4. Persistent coughing

    Explanation: Coughing is a common symptom of respiratory infections. Increased feed intake, shiny coat, and high milk yield generally indicate good health, not illness.