Animal husbandry is the agricultural practices of breeding and raising livestock.
Livestock refers to farm animals (domesticated animals) such as cows, sheep, etc. kept by humans for a useful commercial purpose.
Animal husbandry deals with the care and breeding of livestock like buffaloes, cows, pigs, horses, cattle, sheep, camels, goats, etc., that are useful to humans.
Extended, it includes poultry farming and fisheries.
Fisheries include rearing, catching, selling, etc., of fish, molluscs (shell-fish) and crustaceans (prawns, crabs, etc.).
It is estimated that more than 70% of the world livestock population is in India and China.
It is surprising to note that the contribution to the world farm produce is only 25%, i.e., the productivity per unit is very low.
Hence, in addition to conventional practices of animal breeding and care, newer technologies also have to be applied to achieve improvement in quality and productivity.

Role of Animal Husbandry in Human Welfare:

Dairy Products:
- Mammalian livestock can be used as a source of milk and dairy products such as yoghurt, cheese, butter, ice cream, etc.
Meat:
- It is the production of a useful form of dietary protein and energy.
Land management:
- The grazing of livestock is sometimes used as a way to control weeds and undergrowth.
- For example, in areas prone to wildfires, goats and sheep are set to graze on a dry shrub which reduces the risk of fires.
Fibre:
- Livestock produces a range of fibre/textiles.
- For example, sheep and goats produce wool and deer and sheep can make leather.
Labour:
- Animals such as horses, donkeys and yaks can be used for mechanical energy.
- They are still used for this purpose in many places of the world, including ploughing fields, transporting goods and military functions.

Dairy Farm & Poultry Farm Management

Dairy Farm Management:

Dairying is the management of animals for milk and its products for human consumption.
In dairy farm management, we deal with processes and systems that increase yield and improve the quality of milk.
Milk yield is primarily dependent on the quality of breeds on the farm.
Selection of good breeds having high yielding potential (under the climatic conditions of the area), combined with resistance to diseases is very important.
For the yield potential to be realised the cattle have to be well looked after – they have to be housed well, should have adequate water and be maintained disease-free.
The feeding of cattle should be carried out in a scientific manner – with special emphasis on the quality and quantity of fodder.
Besides, stringent cleanliness and hygiene (both of the cattle and the handlers) are of paramount importance while milking, storage and transport of the milk and its products.
Nowadays, of course, much of these processes have become mechanised, which reduces the chance of direct contact of the product with the handler.
Ensuring these stringent measures would, of course, require regular inspections, with proper record keeping.
It would also help to identify and rectify the problems as early as possible.
Regular visits by a veterinary doctor would be mandatory.

Poultry Farm Management

Poultry is the class of domesticated fowl (birds) used for food or for their eggs.
They typically include chicken and ducks, and sometimes turkey and geese.
The word poultry is often used to refer to the meat of only these birds, but in a more general sense, it may refer to the meat of other birds too.
As in dairy farming, selection of disease-free and suitable breeds, proper and safe farm conditions, proper feed and water, and hygiene and health care are important components of poultry farm management.