6.5 Food Production: Animal Husbandry

Introduction to Animal Husbandry

  • Definition: Branch of agriculture focused on breeding, raising, and caring for farm animals.
  • Purpose: Produce food products (meat, milk, eggs, honey) and other resources.
  • Aims to optimize animal health, welfare, and productivity.

Key Practices in Animal Husbandry

  • Breeding and Genetics: Selecting animals with desirable traits to improve genetic quality.
  • Nutrition and Feeding: Providing balanced diets for specific needs.
  • Housing and Environment: Maintaining suitable facilities for protection and comfort.
  • Health Management and Veterinary Care: Disease prevention (vaccination, biosecurity) and prompt treatment.
  • Welfare and Behavior: Promoting physical and psychological well-being.
  • Waste Management: Environmentally responsible handling of animal waste.
  • Record Keeping: Monitoring performance, making informed decisions.
  • Harvesting and Processing: Humane and efficient methods to maintain quality and safety.
  • Milk-yielding (Milch) Animals: Cows, buffaloes, goats (White Revolution in India).
  • Meat Providing Livestock: Chickens, goats, sheep, pigs.
  • Draught Animals: Oxen, horses, donkeys (for heavy work).
  • Poultry: Chickens, ducks, turkeys (for eggs or meat).
  • Fish Farming (Pisciculture): Rearing fish in controlled environments.
  • Sericulture: Rearing silkworms for silk production.
  • Apiculture: Rearing honey bees for honey and beeswax.