Animal Science Reviewer for ALE Philippines 2026 (Agriculture Board Exam)

Animal Science is one of the five major subject areas in the Agriculture Licensure Examination. It covers the production, management, nutrition, and reproduction of livestock and poultry species that are economically important to Philippine agriculture.

For many BSA graduates, Animal Science feels manageable because the concepts connect directly to practical farm experience. The challenge in the ALE is that questions often test specific technical knowledge: the right nutrient ratios, the correct breed characteristics, the proper reproductive parameters. This reviewer organizes the most consistently tested topics so you know exactly what to focus on.

Major Livestock Species in Philippine Agriculture

Swine (Hog) Production

The hog industry is one of the most economically significant livestock sectors in the Philippines. ALE questions on swine production cover breeds, production stages, and management practices.

Major swine breeds:

Swine production stages:

Gestation period: 114 days (3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days). This is one of the most memorized figures in ALE animal science.

Litter size: 8 to 12 piglets per litter for commercial breeds.

Weaning age: 21 to 28 days in commercial production.

Boar to sow ratio: 1:20 for natural mating in commercial farms.

Cattle Production

Major cattle breeds in the Philippines:

Brahman: The dominant beef breed in the Philippines. Heat-tolerant, tick-resistant, and well-adapted to tropical conditions. Characterized by a prominent hump over the shoulders and drooping ears.

Holstein Friesian: The dominant dairy breed worldwide and in the Philippines. Black and white coloring. Highest milk production of any breed but less heat-tolerant. Often crossed with local breeds for better adaptability.

Philippine Native (Batangas cattle): Small, hardy, well-adapted to local conditions. Lower milk and meat production but disease-resistant.

Crossbreeds: The most common commercial approach in the Philippines is crossing Brahman or local breeds with Holstein Friesian for improved milk or meat production while maintaining tropical adaptability.

Key cattle parameters:

Gestation period: 280 days (approximately 9 months)

Estrous cycle: 21 days

Duration of estrus (heat): 18 hours

Best time for breeding: 12 hours after the onset of estrus

Carabao (Water Buffalo)

The carabao is the national animal of the Philippines and holds special importance in Philippine agriculture and ALE questions.

Uses: Draft power for field preparation, meat production (carabeef), dairy production (carabao milk for kesong puti).

Gestation period: 310 to 330 days

Estrous cycle: 21 to 23 days

Philippine Carabao Center (PCC): The government agency responsible for carabao development and conservation in the Philippines. Based in Nueva Ecija.

Murrah: The most productive dairy buffalo breed in the world, used for crossbreeding with Philippine carabaos to improve milk production.

Poultry Production

Poultry is the most intensively produced livestock sector in the Philippines. ALE questions cover both broiler (meat) and layer (egg) production.

Broiler production:

Market age: 35 to 42 days

Market weight: 1.8 to 2.2 kg live weight

Feed conversion ratio (FCR): 1.6 to 1.8 (kg feed per kg weight gain). Lower FCR is better.

Layer production:

Age at first egg (point of lay): 18 to 20 weeks for commercial breeds

Peak production: 90 to 95 percent lay rate at peak

Production period: 72 to 80 weeks before replacement

Major broiler breeds: Ross, Cobb, Hubbard (all are proprietary commercial crosses)

Major layer breeds: Lohmann Brown, Hy-Line Brown, ISA Brown (commercial layers)

Philippine Native chicken: The Darag (Visayas), Banaba (Batangas), and other native breeds are covered in ALE questions about local genetic resources.

Animal Nutrition

Animal nutrition is a high-yield topic in ALE animal science because it connects directly to production performance and economic outcomes.

Feed Ingredients Commonly Used in Philippine Livestock Feeds

Energy sources: Corn (yellow corn is the primary energy ingredient), cassava, copra meal, rice bran.

Protein sources: Soybean meal (primary), fish meal, meat and bone meal, copra meal.

Mineral supplements: Dicalcium phosphate (DCP) for calcium and phosphorus, limestone for calcium, salt for sodium and chloride.

Vitamin premix: Commercial vitamin-mineral premix added to complete rations.

Reproductive Management

Key Reproductive Terms

Estrus (heat): The period when a female animal is sexually receptive and will accept mating.

Estrous cycle: The recurring cycle from one estrus to the next.

Gestation: The period of pregnancy from conception to birth.

Parturition: The act of giving birth (farrowing in swine, calving in cattle, kidding in goats, lambing in sheep).

Weaning: Separation of the young from the mother and transition to solid feed.

Reproductive Parameters Quick Reference

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Common Livestock Diseases in the Philippines

Disease recognition and control are regularly tested in ALE animal science. Know the major diseases, their causative agents, and the key control measures.

Hog Cholera (Classical Swine Fever): Caused by a virus. Highly contagious. Characterized by high fever, reddish discoloration of skin, hemorrhages. Notifiable disease. Vaccination is the primary control measure.

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD): Caused by a virus. Affects cloven-hoofed animals (cattle, carabao, hog, goat). Characterized by fever and vesicles (blisters) on the mouth, feet, and teats. Notifiable disease. Philippines has been working toward FMD-free status.

Newcastle Disease (ND): Caused by a virus. Affects poultry. Characterized by respiratory signs, nervous signs, and greenish diarrhea. High mortality. Vaccination is essential in commercial production.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu): Caused by influenza A virus. Notifiable disease. Can be highly pathogenic (HPAI) with near 100% mortality in poultry. Zoonotic risk.

Practice What You Just Learned

Animal science questions in the ALE combine breed identification, nutrition concepts, reproductive parameters, and disease recognition. Practice all of these at LisensyaPrep. No account needed.

Practice Agriculture Questions at LisensyaPrep

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