Question

What do you mean by animal husbandry? Mention the important aspects of this branch of science.

Answer 1

Animal husbandry can be defined as the practice by which livestock is raised and selectively bred. It includes the management and care of animals that have been genetically modified for profit.

Complete answer:
Animal husbandry can be defined as livestock raising and selective breeding. It includes the management and care of animals that have been genetically modified for profit. Animal husbandry provides a livelihood to a large number of farmers. Animal husbandry is the branch of agriculture that is concerned with the production, care, and breeding of farm animals.

We are dependent on animals for a lot of food products such as dairy products from animals like cows, buffaloes, goats. Such animals are called milch animals as they provide us with milk. Hen, ducks, goose, etc., provide us with eggs that are rich sources of protein. Such animals are bred commercially in order to meet the high demand for food. Thus, animal husbandry involves breeding, management, etc of such animals to attain a high amount of food products. It is a large scale business.

It is to be noted that there are four types of animal husbandry and they are dairy farming, poultry farming, fish farming, and bee farming.

Dairy farming: It refers to the rearing and breeding of milch animals for the production of milk. Milk is processed to obtain dairy products such as curd, cheese, yoghurt, butter, cream, etc.
Poultry farming: It refers to the raising and breeding of birds for commercial purposes such as eggs and meat.
Fish farming: It is raising fish in closed tanks or ponds for commercial purposes. Fish farming can be extensive as well as intensive.
Bee farming: It is the practice of maintaining bee colonies. Honey bees are reared on a large scale by humans in man-made hives.

Important aspects of this branch of science are:
-It provides proper shelter to animals.
-It provides proper food to animals.
-It takes care of animals against diseases.
-It uses a proper breeding technique for breed improvement.

Note: It should be noted that animal husbandry also provides 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.