Animal
husbandry refers to livestock rising and selective breeding. It is the
management and care of animals in which the genetic qualities and behavior of
animals are further developed for profit. A large number of farmers depend upon
animal husbandry for their livelihood.
Animals
provide us with a variety of food products which have high nutritional values.
Therefore, they require a lot of care and attention.
Animals
are bred commercially in order to meet the high demand for food. Dairy products
from animals like cows, buffaloes, goats, are rich sources of protein. These
animals are called milch animals as they provide us with milk. Another set of
animals that provide nutrient-rich food are hen, ducks, goose, etc. They
provide us with eggs, which again are rich sources of protein.
Animals like chicken, duck, ox, goat, pigs, etc. are bred for meat. Other than these domestic animals we have other sources of nutrients as well, they are marine animals. The seafood we eat has very high nutrient values. They are sources of a variety of nutrients like fat, proteins, vitamins and minerals.
The care,
breeding, management, etc of animals are particularly monitored under the
department of animal husbandry. Animal husbandry is a large scale business.
The
animals are bred, cared, reared and sheltered in a farm or region, which are
specially built for them. Animal husbandry involves poultry, milk-farms,
apiculture (bee agriculture), aquaculture, etc.
Animal husbandry - Definition and Meaning
Animal
husbandry is the science or a branch of agriculture that is concerned with the
production, taking care of, and breeding of farm animals. Humans are dependent
on both plants and animals for food; we raise animals for different food items
including eggs, milk and meat, and other products like fiber, wool, leather,
etc. We deal with a branch of agriculture to provide day-to-day care, selective
breeding, and thus raising livestock (of a variety of domestic animals) and the
process is known as animal husbandry.
It
has a long history when animals were initially domesticated during the
Neolithic revolution.
Earlier,
cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs were raised on farms on a low scale. After the
18th century, agriculturalists rapidly took animal husbandry to the next level
and yielded more meat, wool, and milk day by day.
A
wide variety of species like horses, rabbits, guinea pud, and water buffalo
were also used in some parts of the world.
Aquaculture
of molluscs, crustaceans, and fish was on the rise and insect farming was also
adopted. Contemporary methods to define animal husbandry depend on the type of
land available and production systems adapted to these.
Intensive
animal farming that involves maximum production with minimum cost has been
adopted by the modern methods that make available thousands of chickens and
high-density feedlots. This helps in increasing the yield per area of land with
an investment of a good amount of money and labor.
Modern
methods involve intensive animal farming which seeks maximum production at
minimum costs. This has led to exploitation and growing vulnerability in the
existing livestock resources.
4 Major Types of Animal Husbandry
There
are four major types of animal husbandry practiced in the world today:
1.
Dairy Farming
2.
Poultry Farming
3.
Aquatic Farming (Pisciculture)
4.
Bee Farming (Apiculture)
1. Dairy Farming
Dairy
farming is the agricultural technique concerned with the long term production
of milk, which is then processed to obtain dairy products such as curd, cheese,
yoghurt, butter, cream, etc. It involves the management of dairy animals such
as cows, buffaloes, sheep, goat, etc.
The
animals are taken care of against diseases and are inspected regularly by
veterinary doctors.
A
healthy animal is physically, mentally and socially sound. These animals are
milked by hand or by machines. The milk is preserved and converted into dairy
products industrially, which are then used for commercial purposes.
2. Poultry Farming
Poultry
farming is concerned with raising and breeding of birds for commercial
purposes. Birds like ducks, chickens, geese, pigeons, turkeys, etc. are
domesticated for eggs and meat. It is very important to take care of the
animals and maintain them in a disease-free environment to obtain healthy food
from them. The eggs and meat are a rich source of protein.
Sanitation
and hygienic conditions need to be maintained. The faces of birds are used as
manure to improve soil fertility. Poultry farming provides employment to a
large number of people and helps in improving the economy of the farmers.
3. Aquatic Farming
(Pisciculture)
Fish
farming is the process of raising fish in closed tanks or ponds for commercial
purposes. There is an increasing demand for fish and fish protein. Fish species
such as salmon, catfish, cod, and tilapia are raised in fish farms.
Fish farming or
pisciculture is of two types:
- Extensive
aquaculture, based on the local photosynthetic production
- Intensive
aquaculture, based on the external food supply given to fishes.
4. Bee Farming (Apiculture)
Apiculture
refers to the bee farming practice and the word comes from the Latin word-
‘apis’ which means bee. So, it involves taking care and management of honey
bees to produce honey and the wax. Honey possesses wonderful healing properties
and can reduce ulcers, regulate blood sugar, lessen digestive problems, treat
coughs, and sore throats.
Apiculture
ensures a safe place for the bees to work and live. Bees are essential for us
too as these are engaged in pollination for our food sources. Having bee
farming in place, it provides an environment for studying their habitat and
behavior.
Importance of Animal Husbandry
Animal
rearing is important for humans as they attain a wide range of food products
having high nutrient values. They meet the commercial requirements of high
demand for food such as dairy needs from cows, goats, and buffaloes.
They
are called milch animals as they provide us milk which is full of protein and
other vitamins and minerals.
The
importance of animal husbandry further extends to another set of animals that
are important to humans for eggs and meat such as hens, ducks, goose, goat,
fish, etc.
They are also bred for meat which is rich in protein, iron, fats, vitamin B12 and Zinc.
All of these nutrients are essential to enhance metabolic rate, promote fullness, and reduce hunger.
Marine animals like fish are also believed to keep
a person happier and healthier as these have Omega-3 fatty acids, DHA, and
vitamin D.
Animal
husbandry takes care of the management and breeding of animals and is a large
scale business. A farm or a specific region is built for providing shelter,
food, and undertaking culturing processes.
It
also involves apiculture i.e. bee agriculture and aquaculture i.e. marine
animals culturing.
Role of Animal Husbandry in Agriculture
The
role of animal husbandry in human welfare can be described as follows:
1. Dairy
products producing animals like cows, sheep, and goats are the major sources of
milk and milk products including butter, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc.
2. Many
animals including chicken, goat, duck, pigs, and buffaloes are used for their
meat because of their highly nutritious value.
3. Livestock
is used to control the growth of weeds on agricultural land as the dry shrubs
that are prone to fire are eaten up by various animals. This reduces the risk
and harm that can be faced with unprecedented situations. So, it is important
for land management.
4. Wool
and leather are the fibre by-products from animals like sheep and camels. When
these animals are reared in a vast number, the products can be obtain largely
too.
5. The
importance of animal husbandry also lies in the fact that the excreta, bones, and
blood of animals can be used as manure or fertilizers via composting. These can
be spread on fields to enhance crop yield.
6. Animals
are helpful for ploughing fields, military functions, and transporting goods
from one place to another. Example: Horse, yak, and donkey.
Role of Animal Husbandry in Human Welfare
Animal
husbandry is beneficial to human beings in the following ways:
1. Dairy
Products: Animals such as cows, goats, sheep, etc. are the major
source of milk and milk products such as yoghurt, cheese, butter, etc.
2. Meat: Animals such as cows, buffaloes, pigs, and
goats are reared for their meat. Their meat is a rich source of dietary
protein.
3. 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.
4. Fibre: Animals also produce fibres or textiles such
as wool and leather. For eg, sheep are reared for wool whereas leather can be
obtained from camel.
5. 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.
6. Labour: Animals
are a source of non-human labour. They are used for ploughing fields,
transporting goods and military functions. For a E.g., horses, yaks and donkeys
are used for such purposes.
Advantages of Animal Husbandry
Animal
husbandry has the following advantages:
1.
Animal husbandry helps in the proper management of animals by providing proper
food, shelter and protection against diseases to domestic animals.
2.
It provides employment to a large number of farmers and thereby increases their
living standards.
3.
It helps in developing high yielding breeds of animals by cross breeding. This
increases the production of various food products such as milk, eggs, meat,
etc.
4.
It involves the proper disposal of animal waste and promotes a healthy
environment.
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