Animal Husbandry

Animal husbandry is a science. It focuses on managing livestock, which means farm animals. This includes feeding, breeding, and disease control.

Animal-based farming includes:

• Cattle
• Goats
• Sheep
• Poultry (chickens, ducks, etc.)
• Fish farming

Importance of Animal Husbandry

As the population grows, the demand for animal products increases. People want more milk, eggs, and meat. Also, there is a growing awareness of treating animals well. This awareness leads to new rules for livestock farming. Therefore, improving livestock production is very important.

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Cattle Farming

Cattle farming serves two main purposes:

1. Milk production.
2. Draught labor for agriculture (like plowing and transportation).

In India, there are two main types of cattle:

• Bos indicus (cows)
• Bos bubalis (buffaloes)

Types of Animals

• Milch animals: These are female animals that produce milk.
• Draught animals: These are used for farm work.

Milk Production

Milk production depends on the lactation period. This is the time after a calf is born when the mother produces milk. By extending the lactation period, milk production can increase.

To improve milk production, farmers often choose:

• Exotic breeds: Such as Jersey and Brown Swiss, known for long lactation periods.
• Local breeds: Such as Red Sindhi and Sahiwal, known for disease resistance.

Cross-breeding these two types can create animals with both good qualities.

Question 1

Which method is commonly used for improving cattle breeds and why?

Answer: Cross-breeding is commonly used. It combines the strengths of exotic breeds (for milk production) with local breeds (for disease resistance).

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Caring for Cattle

Proper care is essential for good farming. This includes:

• Cleaning: Regular brushing helps remove dirt and loose hair.
• Shelter: Cattle need well-ventilated sheds to protect them from weather.
• Flooring: The shed floor should be sloped to stay dry and easy to clean.

Food Requirements

Cattle need two types of food:

1. Maintenance requirement: Food needed for health.
2. Milk producing requirement: Food needed during lactation.

Animal feed includes:

• Roughage: High fiber content.
• Concentrates: Low fiber but high in proteins and nutrients.

Cattle need balanced diets with all necessary nutrients. Some feed additives contain micronutrients that help improve health and milk production.

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Diseases in Cattle

Cattle face many diseases that can:

• Cause death.
• Reduce milk production.

Healthy animals eat regularly and maintain a normal posture.

Types of Parasites

1. External parasites: Live on the skin and cause skin diseases.
2. Internal parasites: Such as worms, which affect the stomach and intestines.

Infectious diseases can also be caused by bacteria and viruses. Vaccinations are essential to protect farm animals from major diseases.

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Summary

Animal husbandry is essential for providing food. It ensures the health of livestock through proper care, feeding, and disease control.

Questions for Review

1. What is animal husbandry?

   • Animal husbandry is the scientific management of livestock.

2. Why is cattle farming important?

   • It provides milk and helps with agricultural work.

3. What are milch animals?

   • Milch animals are female animals that produce milk.

4. What is a lactation period?

   • The lactation period is the time when a mother produces milk after giving birth.

5. What are two types of food cattle need?

   • Maintenance requirement and milk producing requirement.