Animal Husbandry

Animal science is the agricultural practice of breeding and raising livestock. As such, it is a vital skill for farmers and, in some countries, a form of art. Other countries have strict laws on the qualifications needed to treat animals and ensure that scientific methods are used to care for them.

The science of animal husbandry, called animal science, is taught in many universities and colleges around the world. Students of animal science may pursue degrees in veterinary medicine following graduation, or go on to pursue master's degrees or doctorates in disciplines such as nutrition, genetics, and breeding, or reproductive physiology. Graduates of these programs may be found working in the veterinary and human pharmaceutical industries, the livestock and pet supply and feed industries, or in academia.

The specialisations in animal husbandry include the following

A. Genetics and Biodiversity.

This specialisation focuses on the genetic improvement of various animal species in relation to their environment, by integrating quantitative, biological and molecular approaches.

B. Nutrition and Metabolism.

This specialisation aims to understand the relation between nutritional demands, diet formulation, digestion and metabolism in animals, and their responses in terms of growth, production and waste.

C. Global and Sustainable Production.

This specialisation combines knowledge from different disciplines (such as animal sciences, economics and social sciences) to study the development of sustainable animal systems across the world.

D. Adaptation, Health and Behaviour.

This specialisation studies the effects of the direct environment on physiological responses of individual animals and groups of animals, and what these responses mean for animal health and welfare.

E. Molecule, Cell and Organ Functioning.

This is a fundamental specialisation looking into mechanisms and processes at all levels of physiology: from molecules to organs to whole animals.

Role of Animal Husbandry in Human Welfare.

Animal husbandry is beneficial to human beings in the following ways:

Dairy Products
Animals such as cows, goats, sheep, etc. are the major source of milk and milk products such as yoghurt, cheese, butter, etc.

Meat
Animals such as cows, buffaloes, pigs, and goats are reared for their meat. Their meat is a rich source of dietary protein.

Land Management
The livestock is sometimes grazed to control the growth of weeds on agricultural land. The dry shrubs in the areas that are prone to wildfire are eaten by goat and sheep, which reduces the risk of fire.

Manure
The excreta, blood and bones of animals are used as manure. The manure is spread on the fields to increase the crop yields and crop production. It is also used as fuel for fires and as plaster for walls and floor.

Labour
Animals are a source of non-human labour. They are used for ploughing fields, transporting goods and military functions. For ag., horses, yaks and donkeys are used for such purposes.

Animals such as cows, goats, sheep, etc. are the major source of milk and milk products such as yoghurt, cheese, butter, etc.

Meat
Animals such as cows, buffaloes, pigs, and goats are reared for their meat. Their meat is a rich source of dietary protein.

Advantage of Animal Husbandry.

1. Animal husbandry helps us in providing proper feed, proper shelter and protection against diseases to the domestic animals. Thus, animal husbandry helps in proper management of the domestic animals.

2. Animal husbandry helps us in developing high yielding breeds of various [https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reference/domesticated-animals/#:~:text=Domestic%20animals%20such%20as%20dogs,generations%20to%20live%20alongside%20humans. domestic animals] through cross breeding. Thus, animal husbandry increases the availability of various food products such as milk, eggs and meat, which are obtained from domestic animals.

3. Animal husbandry helps in raising the living standard of farmers. As a result of higher production of animal products, the income of farmers increases.

Readings

 * Husbandry
 * Poultry farming