Animal Husbandry

Introduction

Animal husbandry is the department of agriculture that deals with animals raised to produce milk, fibre, meat, or other purposes. It involves day-to-day care, livestock farming, and selective breeding. Farming has an extended history, dating back to the age of the Neolithic Revolution. During that period, animals were domesticated since approximately 13,000 BC, predating the first grain farming. Pigs, cattle, goats, and sheep were being produced on farms by early civilisations like Ancient Egypt.

Except for omnivorous animals like hens and pigs, most animals are herbivores. Grazing animals, such as sheep and cattle, are accustomed to consuming grass; either they can graze outside or be fed rations rich in protein and energy, such as pellet cereals, wholly or partially. Poultry and pigs aren’t able to absorb the cellulose present in fodder, requiring the consumption of alternative high-protein diets.

Types of Animal Husbandry

There are four primary types of animal husbandry procedures, depending on the species. 

1. Livestock Farming

This sort of farming entails caring for cattle such as cows, buffaloes, goats and sheep to provide milk or for agricultural purposes such as irrigation, ploughing and so on. Most farmers raise and maintain these animals to supplement their income. Animals that produce milk are termed milch animals. Milk is also used to manufacture various dairy products such as curd, cheese, cream and butter. These items are made in a factory and utilised for business purposes. Some cattle provide us with meat as well. Animals on these farms are given shelter, nutritious food and medical examinations by doctors, among other things.

2. Poultry Farming

Poultry farming refers to the raising of domesticated birds for food (meat) or eggs, such as chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and some types of pigeons. Broilers are male poultry birds kept for meat, whereas layers are female poultry birds raised for egg production.

Poultry has grown to become one of India’s most important sectors, giving substantial income opportunities for farmers and employment for many people. However, cleanliness and hygiene must be maintained regularly in this profession.

3. Fish farming

It is often known as pisciculture; it is the commercial rearing of fish in tanks or ponds. Fish and a few other marine species are high in protein. Natural resources and artificial crops are both viable options for fishing. Natural resources such as the sea, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water support a diverse range of fisheries. Salmon, tuna, catfish, trout, tilapia, and other common fish species are farmed at fish farms.

4. Bee Farming

Bee farming involves the large-scale cultivation of honey bees in artificial hives to produce honey. Apiculture is another term for beekeeping. An apiary, often known as a bee yard, is where bees are kept. Honeybees and beeswax are produced by beekeeping. They are also used as flower pollinators. Honey is used for various things, including medication, food, and beauty goods. As a result, apiculture is a significant industry.

Animal By-products 

1. Grease

Tallow is a type of rendered animal fat derived from cows or sheep. Candles and soap were traditionally created from tallow. Because of its waxy texture and widespread presence, fat is used in printing notes, cosmetics and many other industries.

2. Gelatin

Gelatin is an edible animal by-product made from pig or cattle bones, tendons, ligaments and skin. These animal parts are boiled in water to make it. It has a wide range of applications and uses in the cosmetics and beauty sector, as well as in the food industry. Gelatin is used in a variety of culinary dishes, including gelatin desserts, marshmallows, sweets, ice creams and jellies; it’s also used in the manufacture of ointments, cosmetics, capsule covers, photographic films, and paper.

3. Carmine

Carmine, often known as cochineal dye or natural red 4, is obtained from the cochineal insect, which generates a vibrant red pigment when crushed. When crushed insects are processed to extract the vivid pigment, carmine is created. It’s commonly utilised in foods, lipsticks, and textile weaving.

4. Rennet 

Rennet has long been used to separate milk into curds, and it is needed to make cheese. It’s taken from a young calf’s fourth stomach layer (usually a by-product from the veal industry). The majority of cheese is now manufactured with chymosin generated from bacteria.

5. Milk

Lacticinia is another term for milk-derived goods; milk as a by-product of animals has a wide range of applications. Among them are the following:

• Making cheese

• Heavy cream (whipping cream), butter, double cream, and any other form of cream used in baking all require milk

• To make yoghurt

• In the preparation of pudding, custard, and ice cream

• Milk is used in baking and a variety of other dishes

Casein is a milk protein that is used to make latex condoms and is also vital for tooth healing in dentistry. Paints, plastics, and glues are all made with casein as a foundation.

6. Whey

After the cheese is formed, whey is the liquid component of the generated milk. Whey is high-protein milk that is used to make whipping agents, emulsifiers, and water-binding agents.

7. Eggs

Ovum oil (also known as egg oil or egg yolk oil) is used as a skin conditioner and moisturiser as well as a preservative (antibacterial agent). Lecithin is a dietary ingredient that may be derived from eggs, although there are many animal and plant sources of lecithin.

8. Fish By-Products

Fish is an excellent source of protein for humans, and the by-products are economically and health-wise significant. Fish wastes can be transformed into a variety of by-products after treatment.

List of Fish Waste or Items Made from Fish

• Fishbones and meat are utilised in the manufacturing of animal feed. The bones are high in calcium, while the meat is high in protein

• When the organic matter of fish is broken down in the absence of oxygen, biodiesel or biogas can be created, resulting in the generation of carbon and methane. Cooking using methane is possible

• Fish by-products can be used to make dietary items such as newborn formula, sports nutrition, senior nutrition, and bodybuilding supplements

Role of Animal Husbandry in Human Welfare 

The science of livestock management is referred to as animal husbandry. Increasing the population of animal livestock comprises different issues such as feeding, breeding, and disease control. Cattle, pigs, sheep, poultry, and fish are animals used in animal husbandry. They are beneficial to humans in a variety of ways. These animals are kept to produce commercially valuable goods such as milk, meat, wool, eggs, honey, silk, etc. The demand for these products has expanded as the human population has grown. As a result, scientifically improved livestock management is required.

Animal Husbandry’s Benefits

The following are some advantages of animal husbandry:

1. Animal husbandry assists us in providing proper diet, shelter, and disease protection to domestic animals. As a result, animal husbandry contributes to the proper management of domestic animals.

2. Animal husbandry aids in the development of high-yielding domestic animal breeds through cross-breeding. As a result, animal husbandry enhances the availability of numerous food products derived from domestic animals, such as milk, eggs, and meat.

3. Animal husbandry aids in the improvement of farmers’ living conditions. Farmers’ revenue rises as a result of increased production of animal products.

4. Animal husbandry aids in the disposal of animal waste in an organised manner. As a result, it contributes to the preservation of a healthy ecosystem.

Conclusion 

Animal husbandry is the practice of caring for animals in order to support human life. Chickens, ducks, oxen, goats, pigs, and other meat-producing animals are examples of animal husbandry. In addition to these domestic animals, we have alternate sources of nutrients in the form of marine organisms. We consume a lot of seafood, which has a lot of nutrients. They include a variety of nutrients, including fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals.

The department of animal husbandry keeps a close eye on animal care, breeding, administration, and so on. Animal husbandry is a massive industry. The animals are produced, cared for, reared, and housed at a farm or region specifically designed for them. Poultry, milk farms, apiculture (bee agriculture), aquaculture, and other forms of animal husbandry are all examples of animal husbandry.