NABTEB Animal Husbandry Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks
piggery, and fish farming—alongside animal anatomy, breeding, and industry sanitation, as indicated by themes in.
With the NABTEB exams fast approaching, this article is designed to guide candidates who are unsure of what to study. The NABTEB Animal Husbandry syllabus provides complete details on exam topics, objectives, and recommended textbooks. It is a valuable resource to share with classmates. Studying this syllabus alongside past questions will give you an advantage over candidates who rely only on school notes.
AIMS
Students are expected to understand the importance of animal keeping, breeding, health, production, feeding, diseases and pests, species types, and management.
Marking Guide:
The trade covers related courses, including pig keeping, poultry raising, cattle production, goat and sheep production, and rabbit keeping.
The subject consists of one paper divided into two sections:
- Section A: 40 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 40 minutes (40 marks).
- Section B: 7 essay questions; candidates answer 5 in 2 hours (60 marks).
NABTEB Animal Husbandry Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks
| NABTEB ANIMAL HUSBANDRY SYLLABUS | ||
| SN | TOPICS | OBJECTIVES |
| CAH 11, 18 & 21 – PIG KEEPING IN NIGERIA | ||
| 1 | PIG RAISING | i. Locate the areas in Nigeria where pigs are raised |
| 2 | PIG MANAGEMENT | i. Explain why and where free range, semi intensive and intensive pigs/breeding are practiced |
| 3 | PIG HOUSING | i. Explain conventional housing for pigs e.g. backyard round huts etc. |
| 4 | FEEDING IN PIGS | i. The importance of feeding pigs. ii. The sources of various nutrients |
| 5 | PIG FEEDING REQUIREMENTS | i. Explain the various ways of maintaining a hygienic environment in the piggery |
| 6 | PIG REARING | i. The terminologies in pig rearing/keeping. |
| 7 | PIG BREEEDS | i. The different breeds of pigs in the tropics |
| 8 | BREEDING SYSTEM IN PIGS | i. Different types of mating. ii. Merit and Demerit of each breeding system. |
| 9 | PIGS NUTRITION & FEEDING | i. Explain the digestive system of pigs |
| 10 | DISEASES & PESTS IN PIGS | i. Explain the nutritional diseases in pigs |
| 11 | THE BREEDING SYSTEM IN PIGS | i. Explain out- breeding, cross breeding and in- breeding. ii. Problems of infertility in pigs. |
| 12 | NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS IN PIGS | i. Nutritional requirement in pig from day one to finishing. ii. Feed requirement of piglets, grower, fattener, breeder and finisher. |
| 13 | CARE & MANAGEMENT OF PIGS | i. Care and Management of sow, boars, gilt, baby pigs, growers and finishing pigs. |
| 14 | ROUTINE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN PIGS | i. Discuss management practices in pig rearing. |
| 15 | RECORD KEEPING IN PIG MANAGEMENT | i. Explain the importance of record keeping in pig production. |
| 16 | PROCESSING OF PIGS | i. Explain the different of pigs. slaughtering equipment. |
| CAH 12, 16 & 23 – POULTRY RAISING | ||
| 1 | POULTRY KEEPING | i. List the importance of keeping poultry to the farmers. |
| 2 | POULTRY SPECIES | i. Identify and show the features of domestic fowl duck etc. ii. List and explain the general characteristics of poultry. |
| 3 | POULTRY MANAGEMENT | i. Explain the following poultry raising systems |
| 4 | POULTRY HOUSING | i. Name common facilities in a poultry houses ii. Explain conventional and unconventional housing. |
| 5 | POULTRY FEEDING | i. Explain the nutrient required by the various classes of poultry. |
| 6 | HYGIENE IN POULTRY FEEDING | i. Explain types and importance of vaccination |
| 7 | TERMINOLOGIES IN POULTRY | i. Explain and outline the various terminologies in poultry raising. |
| 8 | CLASSES OF POULTRY | i. State the characteristics of exotic birds e.g. fast growing, big-in-size etc |
| 9 | INGREDIENTS IN POULTRY FEEDING | i. Explain the digestive system of a known poultry breed |
| 10 | POULTRY PESTS AND DISEASES | i. Identify types of endoparasites and their control measures. |
| 11 | CLIMATE CONDITION IN POULTRY | i. Explain the effects of climate on poultry |
| 12 | ORIGIN OF THE POULTRY SPECIES | i. State the differences between local and exotic breeds of poultry. |
| 13 | THE IMPORTANCE & FACTORS FOR CHOICE OF SITE | i. Explain the importance of housing in poultry with their various designs suitable for the tropics. |
| 14 | POULTRY EQUIPMENT | i. Describe some poultry equipment and explain their usage |
| 15 | NUTRIENT REQUIRED FOR POULTRY | i. State nutrient intake level of poultry. ii. Explain some common feed compositions. |
| 16 | ROUTINE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES | i. State the various routine management practice in poultry raising debarking, despairing of cocks, clipping, dubbing, daily supply of water, etc |
| 17 | HYGIENE AND HEALTH | i. Name common poultry diseases in the tropics. ii. Explain possible causes of diseases. |
| 18 | PRACTICE OF BROODING, HATCHING, SOURCING OF CHICKS | i. Explain the different types of: a. harching, b. natural c. artificial. ii. Define brooding iii. Explain types of brooding a. hen b. artificial. |
| 19 | POULTRY PRODUCTS AND PROCESSING | i. Explain the sources of chicks. |
| 20 | RECORD KEEPING | i. Describe the importance of good record keeping of various poultry products and bi- products. ii. Explain the essence of proper recording of poultry performance. |
| 21 | WAYS OF IMPROVING LOCAL CHICKENS | i. Explain cock exchange programme. |
| CAH 14, 20 & 22– RABBIT KEEPING | ||
| 1 | RABBIT KEEPING | i. Importance of raising rabbits ii. Types of Rabbit breeds iii. Types of Rabbits |
| 2 | RABBIT HOUSING | i. Meaning of rabbit housing. ii. Conditions necessary for setting a rabbit housing. iii. Importance of housing a rabbit. iv. Materials needed for construction of rabbit housing. |
| 3 | RABBIT PRODUCTION | i. Reproductive features of rabbit. ii. The main features of the male and female rabbits. iii. The differences between male and female rabbits. |
| 4 | RABBIT FEEDING | i. Common feeds of rabbit ii. Nutritional constitution of rabbit food iii. Classification of rabbit common food into the various nutrients. |
| 5 | RABBIT HEALTH | i. Definition of diseases and pests. ii. Common rabbit diseases and pests. iii. Symptoms and signs of diseases in rabbit. iv. Importance of a good sanitary condition in rabbit house. v. Ways of improving and preventing diseases and pests of rabbits |
| 6 | RABBIT PRODUCTION TERMINOLOGIES | i. Meaning of terminology. ii. Common terminologies applicable in rabbit Keeping |
| 7 | THE CHARACTERISTICS, TYPES AND PROBLEMS OF RABBIT PRODUCTION | i. The general characteristics of different breed of rabbits. ii. The mean bred and fancy type of rabbits. iii. Some common difficulties in keeping rabbits |
| 8 | THE MATERIALS USED FOR RABBIT HOUSING | i. Important features of rabbits housing. ii. The materials used for constructing rabbit housing. |
| 9 | BREEDING TECHNIQUES IN RABBITS | i. Sexual maturity in rabbit ii. Types and importance of breeding rabbits iii. Mat using pattern in back and does. iv. Signs of pregnancy in rabbits. v. Sign of parturition or kindling on rabbit. vi. The maturity ratio in rabbits. |
| 10 | FOOD AND NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS FOR RABBITS | i. The feeds required by rabbit ii. Classes of rabbits. |
| 11 | COMMON DISEASES AND PESTS OAF RABBITS | i. Common disable effects. ii. Litter mortality in rabbit. iii. The control measures for prevention of young rabbit mortality. iv. Symptoms of diseases in rabbit. v. The importance of hygiene and good building materials |
| 12 | HUSBANDRY AND HANDLING PRACTICES | i. Routine Management practices in rabbit keeping ii. handling of rabbit |
| 13 | FEATURES OF A GOOD RABBIT HOUSE | i. Importance of hygiene and good building materials. ii. Equipment needed in Rabbit farm and their maintenance. iii. Difference between a maternity hatch and a next box |
| 14 | HANDLING AND CARE OF RABBIT | i. Handling and appearance of a young rabbit care. ii. Care of Doe to Kitten. iii. Period of weaning. iv. Precaution involved in handling kitten v. Predators of rabbits. vi. Time of rebreeding rabbit. vii. Abortion in rabbit. viii. Infertility in rabbit. |
| 15 | IMPORTANCE OF FEEDING RABBITS | i. Nutrition deficiencies in rabbits. ii. Feed conversion efficiency of rabbit and poultry. iii. Compounding rabbit ration. iv. Coprophagy in rabbits |
| 16 | DIGESTION OF FEED IN RABBIT | i. Digestion, Assimilation and absorption in rabbit ii. Digestive system in rabbit |
| 17 | RECORD KEEPING IN RABBIT | i. Importance of record keeping ii. Explain the different types of record keeping |
| 18 | PROCESS OF RABBITS | i. Equipment used for processing rabbit. ii. Different processing method in rabbits iii. Importance of slaughtering and processing iv. Uses of rabbit products and bi- products e.g. blood, fur, feaces |
| CATTLE PRODUCTION | ||
| 1 | CATTLE KEEPING | i. Importance of cattle to the farmer and beef consumers |
| 2 | CATTLE BREEDS IN NIGERIA | i. Various breeds of cattle in Nigeria |
| 3 | TERMINOLOGIES IN CATTLE PRODUCTION | i. Various terminologies in cattle keeping e.g. bull, culling in-cow, calf, heifer, calling, yearly etc.ii. Importance and uses of the various equipment in cattle farming e.g. shovel, head pan, wheel barrow, fork, drum, rope, sprayer, troughs etc. |
| 4 | CATTLE HOUSING | i. Importance of housing in cattle keeping. ii. Materials required for the construction of cattle housing. |
| 5 | CATTLE FEEDING | i. Various forages consumed by cattle. ii. Nutritional requirement of cattle. |
| 6 | CATTLE DISEASE, PESTS AND SIMPLE CONTROL CONDITIONS | i. The causes of diseases and pest in cattle. ii. Treatment and care of affected animal |
| 7 | CATTLE IDENTIFICATION | i. Various ways of identifying cattle in the farm. ii. Methods of identifying cattle in the farm e.g. ear tag, branding, etc |
| 8 | CATTLE BREEDS | i. Carious breed of cattle and their features. |
| 9 | HYBRID BREEDS | i. Carious breed of cattle and their features. |
| 10 | CATTLE PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT | i. The various management systems of cattle production ii. Advantages and disadvantages of cattle production |
| 11 | FEEDS & FEEDING OF CATTLE | I. Common foods for cattles ii. Feeding pattern of cattle iii. Importance of feed to cattle production |
| 12 | HYGIENE & HEALTH CARE | i. Importance of hygiene and health for cattle production. ii. Ways of manure disposal for a hygienic environment. iii. Causes of infection in cattle. iv. Diseases and pest control in cattle production. |
| 13 | REPRODUCTION IN CATTLE | i. Definition of reproduction. 2. Features of male and female reproductive organs. |
| 14 | PRODUCTS & BY-PRODUCT OF CATTLE | i. The importance of milk from cattle. ii. The uses of hides from cattle. |
| 15 | RECORD KEEPING | i. The usefulness of record keeping in cattle production. |
| 16 | BEST BREAK FOR PRODUCTION PROCESS | i. The breed best suited for your locality.ii. The feeds and feeding requirements: water, protein, energy, vitamins, minerals.iii. Requirements for dry season feeding e.g. browse, plants and crops residues, hay, silage production (forage consolation). |
| 17 | HEALTHCARE AND QUARANTINE PURPOSE | i. Importance of isolation of new or sick animal. ii. Basic principle of health control: a. Regular observation routine check b. Disposal of dead animal iii. Importance of health record. iv. Definition of the term vaccination. v. Method of worm prevention. vi. Methods of tick control vii. Some skin and hoof problems. viii. Ways of control and prevention of the problem |
| 18 | VARIOUS MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS NEEDED AT VARIOUS AGES | i. Basic management systems of the following classes of cattle: Colt, Heifers, In-cow, Bull and Dairy Cow. |
| 19 | REPRODUCTIVE ACTIVITIES IN CATTLE PRODUCTION | i. Definition of maturity in cattle. ii. The symptoms to show when the cattle are on heat. iii. Explanation of the term abortion. iv. The likely causes of abortion in cattle. v. Measures to prevent abortion in cattle |
| 20 | RECORD KEEPING | i. Importance of good records keeping. ii. Keeping proper record of farm activities. iii. Cost benefit analysis of record keeping. iv. Record book for evaluation auditing |
| 21 | MILKING PROCEDURES IN CATTLE PRODUCTION | i. Milking procedures in cow. ii. Use of the following products from cattle beef: blood, bones hides, horn |
| 22 | SELECTION OF REPLACEMENT STOCK | i. Features to look out for in selecting a good heifer or bulls. ii. Importance and use of heifer or bull. |
| CAH 15, 19 & 25 – GOAT AND SHEEP PRODUCTION I | ||
| 1 | GOATS AND SHEEP PRODUCTION | i. Explain the importance of goats and sheep raising |
| 2 | GOATS AND SHEEP BREEDS | i. Identify the breeds of Goats and Sheep. ii. List the breeds of Goat and Sheep |
| 3 | GOATS AND SHEEP MANAGEMENT | i. Explain different types of goat sheep farms management. ii. State the advantages and disadvantages of the system of management |
| 4 | GOAT AND SHEEP HOUSING | i. Explain types of goats and sheep farm housing.ii. Describe the types of housing for goats and sheep e.g. conventional and non-conventional housing.iii. Identify the local raw materials used for the construction of goats/sheep house. |
| 5 | GOATS AND SHEEP NUTRITION & FEEDING | i. Explain the nutrient requirements of sheep and goats e.g. carbohydrates, protein, fat and oil etc. |
| 6 | HEALTH & HYGIENE IN SHEEP | i. The importance of clean environment of the growth of goats and sheep. ii. The types and uses of vaccination in goats and sheep. |
| 7 | TERMINOLOGIES & ATTRACTIVE PROPERTIES OF SHEEP AND GOATS | i. Terminologies in goats and sheep farming e.g. bull, culling in-cow, calf, heifer, calling, yearly etc.ii. Types of goats and sheep e.g. billy, nanny, kid kidding, whether, flock, chevron, servicing, suckling meat of sheep ram, ewe, lamb, suckling and flock.iii. Breeding methods of goats and sheep.iv. Care for breeding sheep and goats.v. The age range of puberty in sheep and goats.vi. Care for the breeding billy-goat, ram and nanny.vii. Definition of puberty, oestrus, ovulation, fertilization, servicing, gestation and parturition. |
| 8 | BREEDING SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF GOATS AND SHEEP | i. The taints selection of goats and sheep. ii. Qualities of goats and sheep suitable for reproduction. iii. The method of production of milk and meat for cross breeding. iv. Parturition process in goat and sheep. v. The care of new born kids and lambs. vi. Signs of difficult birth. |
| 9 | NUTRITION AND FEEDING OF SHEEP AND GOATS | i. The feeding practice of goats and sheep. ii. The essential feed supplements |
| 10 | COMMON DISEASES OF GOATS AND SHEEP | i. Common diseases of goats and sheep. ii. The condition of sick goat and sheep. iii. Internal and external parasites. iv. Importance of vaccinations of goats and sheep. |
| 11 | PROCESSING AND SLAUGHTER OF SHEEP AMD GOATS | 1. The use of sheep and goat products and by products e.g. meat, blood, bones, hides and skin, dung |
| 12 | THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OF GOATS AND SHEEP | i. The male and female reproductive system of sheep and goats. ii. Signs of ostreus |
| 13 | CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF KIDS AND LAMBS | i. Process of weaning kids and lambs. ii. Care for breeding and lactation |
| 14 | PASTURE MANAGEMENT AND UTILIZATION BY SHEEP AND GOATS | i. Importance of pasture to sheep and goat. ii. Types of pasture materials e.g. legumes (centrosema) grass, and ropogon gayemens. iii. Types of grazing management applicable in Nigeria. iv. Definition of hay and silage. v. The differences between hay and silage. vi. Silage to sheep and goat. |
| 15 | SELECTION OF HOUSING SITE amAMD SIDE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE TO SHEEP AND GOAT | i. Common sheep and goat housing. ii. Typical goat and sheep house. iii. Dimension of the pen/padlock for sheep and goat. iv. The effect of climate on type of housing. v. Effect of climate on nutrition of sheep and goat. |
| 16 | DISEASE AND PESTS OF SHEEP AND GOAT | i. Disease and pest of sheep and goat. ii. Nutritional disorder. |
| 17 | BREEDING SYSTEMS | i. Breeding system in sheep and goat ii. Problems of infertility in sheep and goats. iii. The productive hormone |
| 18 | SLAUGHTERING AND PROCESSING OF SHEEP AND GOATS | i. The processes of slaughter and preservation of sheep and goat |
| 19 | SANITATION OF ABBATOIR AND SLAUGHTER SLABS | i.The level of sanitation required in the meat slaughtering house. ii. The effects of dirty slaughter slab. iii. The importance of meat inspectors |
NABTEB Animal Husbandry Textbooks 2026/2027
- Animal Husbandry for Senior Secondary Schools 1-3 Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council by NERDC, 2000
- Essential Animal Husbandry textbook by G.C Banerjee
- Principles of Animal Husbandry SHS1-3.
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