Animal Husbandry: Definition, Types, Examples, Role, Challenges
Animal husbandry is an important branch of agriculture that focuses on the breeding, care, and management of animals for various purposes such as milk, meat, eggs, wool, and labor. It involves selecting good breeds, feeding, providing shelter, and ensuring their health through disease control measures. This systematic care improves both the productivity and quality of livestock and is a key part of strategies for enhancement in food production.
- What is Animal Husbandry?
- Types of Animal Husbandry
- Role of Animal Husbandry in Human Welfare
- Advantages of Animal Husbandry
- Management Practices in Animal Husbandry
With the growing demand for animal-based products, animal husbandry plays a key role in supporting food security and the rural economy. It not only benefits farmers by increasing income but also contributes to the overall development of the agricultural sector. Modern tools like biotechnology are now being used in animal breeding and health management to further improve yield, quality, and disease resistance.
What is Animal Husbandry?
Animal Husbandry means that part of agriculture deals with the proper rearing, breeding, and raising of domestic animals like cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, and horses.
Animal husbandry has been in practice for thousands of years. Early humans domesticated wild animals for their benefit. They had found out that from the tamed and bred animals, they could have a constant source of food, clothing, and other resources. Ever since this time, animal husbandry has been going on with new techniques and technologies being formed.
Types of Animal Husbandry
Animal Husbandry is a very interesting field and has many types of farming. Every particular kind of animal husbandry has its breed characteristics and management practice, which is equally challenging and diversified for one to be part of.
Dairy Farming
Dairy farming involves the breeding and rearing of dairy cattle for milk production. There are different breeds of dairy cattle with the ability to produce maximum milk. The management of dairy farming guarantees maximum milk production and health among cattle through proper nutrition, hygiene, and milking techniques.
Cattle farming
Cattle farming includes beef cattle, which are raised for their meat. Some of these breeds are known for the excellence of their meat and the quality and quantity of meat production. Maintenance on a beef farm includes the issuance of proper nutrition and medication, and the enhancement of proper growth and development to ensure maximum meat production.
Poultry farming
Poultry farming deals with the production of eggs and meat. Disease management forms an essential part of poultry farming to prevent infectious diseases and keep the flock healthy.
Sheep and goat farming
It is famous for wool production. Wool quality and quantity vary in different breeds of sheep and goats. Shearing of wool at the right time, proper nutrients, and health care are necessary for a sheep or goat farm to obtain maximum production. Sheep and goats are also reared for meat and milk. Hence, they are very versatile domestic animals.
Pig farming
It is mainly based on meat production. Proper pig management includes giving a balanced diet, keeping the housing conditions clean, and routine veterinary care to ensure proper growth and development.
Fish farming
It is another aspect that includes aquaculture and is conducted both in freshwater and marine water bodies. Fish farms provide optimum growing and reproductive conditions for fish. Healthy water bodies, nutrition for fish, and disease management through vaccination or drugs have to be given in fish farming.
Apiculture
Apiculture is the practice of raising bees for honey production. Beekeepers manage bee colonies by providing bees with suitable hives and arranging access to nectar-producing plants for honey collection. They also protect the bees from diseases and pests.
Role of Animal Husbandry in Human Welfare
Animal husbandry ensures a regular supply of nutritious food for improving public health. It contributes to economic development and promoting food security. It also provides raw materials for industries and enhances the quality of life in farming communities. The major role is discussed below:
Food Production
Animal husbandry has played a very critical role towards the welfare of human beings, mainly in the food sector. Due to animal husbandry, the ever-increasing demand for milk, meat, and eggs is met. Cattle farming and poultry farming are two major components of animal husbandry which play an important role in the supply of these major food items.
Economic Contribution
People also get a livelihood from this animal husbandry for most of the rural people, this is their primary source of income. More so, the livestock trade and the products generated from animal husbandry add to the economy of a nation. All these include the animals that are sold, the dairy products, meat, and other products that are derived.
Social and Cultural Importance
Animal husbandry also has a lot of social and cultural importance in some societies. It is a very traditional and cultural practice that is practised from one generation to another. This not only keeps the cultural heritage intact but also creates a bond within a community through shared agricultural practices.
Advantages of Animal Husbandry
Animal husbandry helps in producing milk, meat, eggs, wool, and other products on a large scale. It supports farmers with additional income and creates employment in rural areas. It also plays a role in improving soil fertility through organic manure. Some of the major benefits are discussed below:
Sustainable Food Production
Many benefits of livestock farming lead to sustainable food production and an improvement in food security. These products are quite important and valuable as they provide diverse nutrients that are used to meet people's food demands worldwide.
Genetic Improvement
Another advantage is that animal husbandry allows genetic improvement as there are breeding programs that have been put into place to enhance and improve certain traits of livestock, which may include growth rate, milk production, and improvement in disease resistance. This genetic improvement leads to better, healthier, and more productive livestock, hence higher quality of animal products to the consumer.
Environmental Benefits
The other main category of benefits from animal husbandry is environmental benefits. The benefits are that this activity has made use of otherwise unutilized areas by grazing animals on marginal lands. Such lands are worthy of no other agricultural or farming practices. Allowing animals to graze on these lands is making productive use of what would otherwise be unproductive land.
Management Practices in Animal Husbandry
Proper management in animal husbandry includes choosing high-yield breeds, providing balanced nutrition, maintaining clean and safe shelters, and regular vaccination and health check-ups. These practices help ensure the well-being of animals and improve productivity. Good management also involves record-keeping and using scientific methods for breeding and disease control. Some of the major management practices are discussed below:
Housing and Shelter
Animal husbandry mainly involves providing proper house and shelter to animals. This is very important as it will ensure animal well-being and productivity. The design and hygiene of the shelter will greatly depend on the comfort and safety of the animals. Proper ventilation, appropriate spacing, and flooring are some factors that need critical attention in designing animal shelters.
Nutrition and Feeding
Animals have different nutritional needs according to the species. They need to be fed with a proper diet for proper growth and development. This requires knowledge of the nutritional needs of specific animal species and how to meet those needs through the proper diet. Supplements are an additional source of the needed nutrients in the animal's diet.
Vaccination
Health and disease management is also an important part of animal husbandry. Livestock animals easily get afflicted with various types of diseases, which adversely affect their health and productivity. It is important to be aware of the common diseases in livestock and take preventive measures to minimize their prevalence. Routine vaccinations are an important way of preventing diseases and protecting the animals from infections.
MCQs on Animal Husbandry
Q1. The chances of contacting bird flu from a properly cooked (above 100°C) chicken and egg are:
very high
high
moderate
negligible
Correct answer: 4) negligible
Explanation:
Properly cooking chicken at a temperature of 70°C (165°F) or higher ensures the destruction of the bird flu virus. The high temperature denatures the viral proteins and RNA, making the virus inactive and safe for consumption. It is important to cook poultry thoroughly and avoid consuming raw or undercooked meat to prevent the risk of infection.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4) negligible.
Q2. More than 70 per cent of the livestock population is found in:
Denmark
India
China
India and China
Correct answer: 4) India and China
Explanation:
India and China together account for over 70% of the global livestock population, driven by their large rural populations and agricultural economies. India is renowned for its vast populations of cattle, buffalo, goats, and poultry, being a leading milk producer globally, while China dominates in pig and poultry farming as the world’s largest pork producer and consumer. Livestock plays a critical role in both countries, providing food, income, and support for agriculture, making them pivotal in global livestock production.
Hence, The correct answer is option 4) India and China.
Q3. Animal husbandry and plant breeding programmes are examples of:
reverse evolution
artificial selection
mutation
natural selection
Correct answer: 2) artificial selection
Explanation:
Animal husbandry and plant breeding programs are practices that rely on human intervention to enhance desirable traits in both animals and plants. These programs involve controlled breeding, selection, and genetic manipulation to improve specific characteristics such as disease resistance, growth rate, yield, quality of produce, and other beneficial traits.
In animal husbandry, this manipulation often involves selective breeding, where animals with desirable traits (such as high milk production or better meat quality) are bred together to pass those traits to offspring. This process may also include techniques like artificial insemination or genetic modification.
In plant breeding, human intervention involves selecting parent plants with favourable traits, such as resistance to pests or better crop yields, and crossing them to produce offspring with a combination of these traits. Modern methods of plant breeding also include genetic engineering, where specific genes are inserted into plants to confer resistance to diseases, tolerance to environmental stresses, or enhanced nutritional value.
Hence, the answer is the option 2) artificial selection.
Also Read:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is animal husbandry?
Animal husbandry is the branch of agriculture that deals with the breeding, feeding, and care of animals for products like milk, meat, eggs, and wool.
Q2. What are the 4 types of animal husbandry?
The four main types are dairy farming, poultry farming, livestock farming, and apiculture.
Q3. What is the role of animal husbandry in human welfare?
Animal husbandry provides food, employment, and income, and helps improve nutrition and rural livelihoods.
Q4. What is the main aim of animal husbandry?
The main aim is to increase the quantity and quality of animal-based products to meet human needs efficiently.
Q5. Who is the father of animal husbandry in India?
Varghese Kurien is known as the Father of the White Revolution and is credited for advancing dairy animal husbandry in India.
Recommended Video on Animal Husbandry
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Various branches of animal husbandry may include dairy farming, poultry farming, livestock farming (such as cattle, sheep, and goats), aquaculture (fish farming), and apiculture (keeping bees).
Animal husbandry is important in enabling the provision of food products such as meat, milk, and eggs on a sustainable basis, providing livelihoods through economic activities like farming and trade.
Some common diseases in livestock are foot-and-mouth disease, brucellosis, and bovine tuberculosis, which are managed by vaccination, proper hygiene, and regular veterinary care.
Modern animal husbandry techniques include genetic selection and breeding, precision farming with technology for monitoring health and productivity, and advanced nutrition management.
Animal welfare considerations significantly influence food production strategies in animal husbandry. Ensuring good animal welfare practices, such as providing adequate space, proper nutrition, and minimizing stress, not only improves the quality of animal products but also addresses ethical concerns of consumers. Many countries have implemented animal welfare regulations that affect housing, transportation, and slaughter methods. Balancing animal welfare with production efficiency is a key challenge in modern animal husbandry.
Disease management in animal husbandry is critical for ensuring food safety. Proper disease control measures, including vaccination programs, biosecurity protocols, and regular health monitoring, help prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases (those that can transfer from animals to humans). Effective disease management also reduces the need for antibiotics, addressing concerns about antibiotic resistance in human populations. Safe food handling practices throughout the production chain further minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses.
Animal nutrition directly affects the quality of food products derived from livestock. A well-balanced diet ensures proper growth, health, and productivity of animals, which in turn influences the nutritional content, taste, and texture of meat, milk, and eggs. For example, grass-fed cattle often produce meat with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids compared to grain-fed cattle. Understanding animal nutrition is crucial for producing high-quality food products while maintaining animal health.
Selective breeding is a human-guided process where animals with desirable traits are chosen to reproduce, while natural selection occurs without human intervention. In animal husbandry, selective breeding allows farmers to enhance specific characteristics like milk production, meat quality, or disease resistance more rapidly than natural selection would. This process has led to the development of specialized breeds tailored for specific purposes in food production.
Genetic engineering in animal husbandry involves modifying an animal's DNA to introduce desirable traits or remove undesirable ones. This technology can be used to improve disease resistance, increase growth rates, enhance nutritional content of animal products, or create animals that produce pharmaceuticals in their milk. While genetic engineering offers potential benefits, it also raises ethical concerns and debates about food safety and environmental impact.
Animal husbandry is the practice of breeding, raising, and caring for livestock animals for food, fiber, and other products. It's crucial in food production because it ensures a sustainable supply of animal-based proteins, dairy products, and other essential nutrients for human consumption. Animal husbandry also contributes to economic growth in rural areas and helps maintain biodiversity in domesticated animal species.
Also Read
19 Aug'25 06:00 PM
18 Aug'25 06:25 PM
18 Aug'25 06:13 PM
12 Aug'25 07:52 PM
12 Aug'25 07:05 PM
01 Aug'25 03:47 PM
01 Aug'25 03:43 PM