Animal Husbandry Food Animals

Introduction

Animal husbandry and dairy science are the branches of science concerned with the practice of humans breeding, farming, and caring for farm animals such as cattle, dogs, sheep, and horses for profit. The practice of raising livestock and selectively breeding them is known as Animal husbandry.

For living, a large number of farmers are dependent on animal husbandry. Animals, particularly bullocks, provide a major source of power for both farmers and dryers in addition to milk, meat, eggs, wool, and hides.

About Animal Husbandry

Animal husbandry is the management, as well as treatment of farm animals for human earnings, in which genetic characteristics of the animals are also taken into account for better production.

Animal husbandry in the modern era is based on production systems that are tailored to the type of land available. In the more developed parts of the world, intensive animal farming is displacing subsistence farming, with beef cattle kept in high-density feedlots and thousands of chickens raised in broiler houses or batteries. Animals are frequently kept in greater numbers on poorer soil, such as in the uplands, and are sometimes allowed to roam freely, foraging for themselves.

History & Importance of Animal Husbandry

For the availability of food at a time when hunting is ineffective, domestication of livestock was adopted. The domestication of animals is useful to the domesticator.

Domestication was not a single event, but a process that occurred over time and in different locations. In the Middle East, sheep and goats accompanied nomads, whereas cattle and pigs were associated with more permanent settlements.

The wild animal which was domesticated at the very first was the dog. Half-wild dogs, possibly beginning with young individuals, may have been tolerated as vermin scavengers and killers, and being naturally pack hunters, they were predisposed to become part of the human pack and join in the hunt.

Dairy Farming

Dairy farming is an agricultural practice that involves the long-term production of milk, which is then processed to produce dairy products such as curd, cheese, yoghurt, butter, cream, and so on. It entails the care of dairy animals such as cows, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and so on.

The animals are protected against disease and are inspected on a regular basis by veterinary doctors. A healthy animal is one, which stays in good physical, mental, and social condition. These animals are milked either manually or mechanically. Milk is preserved and industrially converted into dairy products, which are then used for commercial purposes.

Poultry Farming

The commercial raising and breeding of birds are known as Poultry farming. Domesticated birds include ducks, chickens, geese, pigeons, turkeys, and others for eggs and meat.

It is critical to care for the animals and keep them in a disease-free environment in order to obtain healthy food from them. The eggs and meat are high in protein.

Sanitation and sanitary conditions must be maintained. Bird faeces are used as manure to improve soil fertility. Poultry farming employs a large number of people and contributes to the farmers' economic well-being.

Fish Farming

Fish farming is the process of commercially raising fish in closed tanks or ponds. Fish and fish protein are becoming increasingly popular. Fish farms raise salmon, catfish, cod, and tilapia, among other species.

There are two types of fish farming or pisciculture:

• Aquaculture on a large scale, based on local photosynthetic production

• Intensive aquaculture is based on fish being fed from outside sources.

Importance of Animal Husbandry Food Animals

The following are the benefits of animal husbandry:

1. Animal husbandry aids in the proper management of animals by providing proper food, shelter, and disease prevention for domestic animals.

2. It employs a large number of farmers and thus raises their standard of living.

3. High-yielding animal breeds are developed by cross-breeding. This boosts the production of a variety of food products such as milk, eggs, meat, and so on.

4. It promotes a healthy environment by involving the proper disposal of animal waste.

Conclusion

Animal husbandry is the science that is concerned with the breeding, farming and caring of the farm animals for the benefit of human beings. They are different types of animal husbandry types such as dairy farming, fish farming and poultry farming. Due to animal husbandry, there is a rise in the standard of living of the farmers. Also, it helps in the proper disposal of wastes.