ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
The branch of agriculture which deals with the
feeding, shelter, health and breeding of domestic
animals is called animal husbandry.
Husbandry word means - the care, cultivation,
and breeding of animals.
Various practices necessary for raising
animals for food are :-
Proper feeding of animal
Proper shelter for animals
Prevention and cure of animal diseases.
Proper breeding of animals
Proper economic utilisation
NEED FOR ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
To increase milk production
To increase egg production
To increase meat production
To increase fish production
For proper utilisation of animal wastes (biogas and manure)
Cattle Farming
Raising of cattle for yield of milk by females and draught labour connected
with agriculture like tilling, irrigation and carting by males.
Females- Milch Animals
Males- Draught animals
Milch Breeds
Cows of these breeds are high milk yielders and
Bullocks are poor for draught purposes.
Some good milk giving indigenous breeds are:
Gir
Sahiwal
Red Sindhi
Dual purpose breeds/ General Utility Breeds
This breed of cattle are meant for both
milk yield and draught works.
The cows are fairly good milkers and the
bullocks are sturdy and are useful in
draught works like ploughing the field,
transport, cart pulling etc.
Important examples are Haryana and
Ongole.
Breeding of Cattle
Breeding of animals means controlled reproduction to obtain animals with
desired characteristics like high yield milk as well as long lactation period of
exotic breed, and on the other hand high disease resistance as well as
acclimatization of local breeds.
Lactation period : is the period during which dairy (milch) animals produce
milk, this is between birth of a youngone and the next pregnancy. Milk
production depends, to some extent, on the duration of lactation period.
Grooming
(i) Regular brushing of
animals to remove dirt
and loose hair.
(ii) External parasites
are removed.
(iii) Washing of
animals.
Shelter
A good animal shelter not only increases the
production of milk but also improves the health of
animals as well. A good animal shelter should have
the following characteristics :
(i) It should protect animal from heat, cold and rain.
(ii) It should be clean, dry airy and well ventilated.
(iii) It should be spacious so as to provide enough
space for each animal to stay comfortably.
(iv) It should have a sloping floor for the hygienic
disposal of animal excreta.
Feeding
The food is given to animals is called 'feed'.
The food requirements is of two types :
(A) Maintenance requirements which support the
basic functions of life.
(B) Milk-Producing requirements which increase
the milk-yield.
FEED FOR DAIRY ANIMALS
Feed constitutes two main components :
(i) Roughage : It contain large amount of fibre which has low nutrient
contents. It includes hay fibre silage, fodder and legumes like barseem,
lucrene and cowpea.
(ii) Concentrate : It is a mixture of cereals like maize, oat, barley, jowar
broken grams, rice polish, cotton seeds, gram bran, molasses and oilseed cake
moistened in water. These are rich in proteins, highly palatable and easily
digestible.
Ration
The dairy animals require a balanced ration.
A ration is the amount of food, which is given to the animals during a day (24
- hour period).
Daily average feed of a cow
Roughage-15 to 20 Kg
Concentrate- 4 to 5 Kg
Water- 30 -35 litres
Food Additives
Dairy animals also require minerals, vitamins and antibiotics. These are
commonly called feed additives.
Protect the animal from disease.
Enhance milk yield.
Promote the growth of the animals.
White Revolution
Dr. V. Kurien is the founder chairman of the National
Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Gujarat in 1965 and
started "Operation Flood" which was the world's largest
dairy development programme in 1970, to provide milk
to one and all.
Dr. Kurien is called the "Architect of India's Modern
Dairy Industry" means huge increase in milk production
by using improved high milk-yielding crossbreeds of
milch animals. Also known as Father of White
Revolution in India.
Various Revolutions
White revolution :- Related to increase milk
production.
Silver Revolution :- Related to increase egg
production.
Blue Revolution :- Related to increase fish
production.
BREED
Breed is a group of animals within a species which have a
common origin and possess some distinguishing
characteristics that do not occur in other members of the
species.
Breeds can be of three types:-
i) Indigenous breeds (Local or desi)
ii) exotic (Foreign)
iii) Hybrid (OFFSPRING OF CROSS BETWEEN INDIGENOUS
AND EXOTIC BREEDS )
Characteristics studied for cross
breeding
Lactation period
Reproductive period
Nutritional requirement
Tolerance to climatic conditions
Resistance to diseases
Health
Yield
Nature
Habits
Cross Breeding
Exotic or foreign Breed
High milk Yield
Long Lactation period
Local or
Indigenous breed
Disease resistance
Acclimatisation of local breed
or tolerance of temperature
MILCH COWS Exotic (Foreign) breeds
1. Holstein-Friesian from Holland
2. Jersey from USA
3. Ayrshire from Scotland
4. Brown-Swiss from Switzerland
5. Red Dane from Denmark
Breeding
Cattle breeders select and mate best type
of cattle for a particular purpose.
The breeding of cattle is done by two
methods
(A) Natural Breeding
(B) Artificial Breeding
Natural Breeding
(i) Random Breeding :
Here some pedigree bulls are kept along with grazing cows.
(ii) Controlled Breeding :
Breeding of native cows are crossed with supeior quality of imported bulls.
Hybrid cows yield more milk and hybrid oxen are comparatively more active
and energetic.
Some improved hybrids are Karanfries, Frieswal, KaranSwiss.
Artificial Breeding : (Artificial insemination)
The introduction of semen (sperm) of a good breed
male animal in the body (vagina) of a healthy female
animal by artificial means is called artificial
insemination.
Veterinary Research Institute of India (IVRI),
Izatnagar(U.P.) is the important artificial
insemination centre out of 6000 centres across the
country.
The first experiment of artificial insemination was
performed by Spallanzani in 1780 to obtain hybrid
pups.
Superovulation
Technique where a cow is made to ovulate
more ova by injecting reproductive
hormones.
Usually a cow releases only one ova in one
estrous cycle but by injecting reproductive
hormones the cow is made to release more
ova’s.
Embryo Transplantation
Developing embryo from superior breed is removed and transplated into
another female (Surrogate mother) for further development. By this method
both quality and production in the live stock can be improved.
Cattle Diseases
A healthy animal can be recognised by its regular feeding, normal posture, a
definite body temperature normal pulse rate and normal respiration rate.
The diseases adversely affect the milk production and may even cause death.
Diseases caused by Parasites
External or internal parasites.
External parasites live on the skin and
cause many skin diseases.
Internal Parasites like worms live within
the body and may affect stomach and
intestine.
Liver-fluke may affect the lives.
Communicable diseases
They spread from diseased animals to healthy animals and even transmitted
to human beings. Some common diseases of cattle are:
Foot and mouth disease
Anthrax
Rinderpest
Cow Pox
Salmonellosis
Foot and mouth disease
is an infectious viral disease.
virus causes a high fever for approximately two to
six days,
blisters inside the mouth and on the feet.
Excessive salivation, reduced appetite, soreness
of mouth.
Limbs become shaky.
Most common disease of cattle.
Anthrax
Caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis.
Afflicts cattle, sheep, goat and pig.
Contagious and fatal
Animal shows swellings (pustules) on neck and
different body parts.
Rinderpest (Cattle plague)
Viral Disease.
Lesions in the mouth, high fever, excessive
salivation, reddening of eyes and loss of appetite.
There is arching of back.
Initial constipation is followed by blood stained
diarrhoea.
Other diseases of cattle
Cow Pox - Caused by virus, characterised
by appearance of small nodules and fever.
Salmonellosis – caused by bacteria.
Prevention of diseases
(1) The animal-shelters should be spacious, airy
and properly lighted.
(2) The animal-shelter should be cleaned
regularly.
(3) Nutritive feed and fresh water should be
provided.
(4) The animals should be compulsorily vaccinated
to immunize them against infectious diseases.
POULTRY FARMING
Poultry is the branch of animal husbandry concerned
with rearing of birds for eggs and meat.
It includes chickens (fowls), ducks, geese turkeys,
guinea-fowls, peafowls, pigeons and quails.
The egg laying poultry bird is called egger or layer,
while the one reared for obtaining meat is
called chicken or broiler.
India is the 5th largest country in the world of poultry
prodution after China, Russia, USA and Japan.
Indian state with maximum broiler and egg production
is Andhra Pradesh.
The cross-breeding programmes between Indian (e.g. Aseel) and
exotic (e.g. Leghorn) breeds for variety improvement are
focused on to develop new varieties for the following desirable
traits :-
(i) number and quality of chicks.
(ii) dwarf broiler parent for commercial chick production
(iii) summer adaption capacity or tolerance to high temperature
(iv) low maintenance requirements
(v) reduction in the size of the egg-laying bird with ability to
utilise more fibrous cheaper diets formulated using agricultural
by products.
CROSS BREEDING - Hybridization between an
Indian breed like Aseel and a foreign breed
like Leghorn has been done to bring about
desirable traits in the improved variety.
INDIAN ASEEL EXOTIC LEGHORN
Poultry Breeds :-
Indigenous breeds Exotic breeds Cross breeds
Aseel or Indian game White Leghorn IBL - 80
Ghagus Rhode Island Red B-77
Bursa Light Sussex HH-260
Brahma Black Minorcha
Cochin Plymouth Rock
Chittagong Anstralorp
Differences between layers and broilers
Layers Broilers
1. Layers are egg laying birds. 1. They are maintained for getting maintained
for getting eggs. meat.
2. They start producing eggs at the age 2. They are raised upto 6-7 weeks
in of 20 weeks poultry farms and then sent to market for sale.
3. They need feed rich in vitamins, 3. They require feed rich in proteins,
fats minerals and micronutrients and vitamin A and K
4. They required enough space and adequate 4. They require conditions to
grow fast with lighting for proper growth low mortality
LAYERS BROILERS
Layers are egg laying birds. Layers are
females
They are maintained for
getting maintained for getting meat.
Some broilers are male and some are
female.
Layer should be able to produce more
number of large sized eggs, without
growing too much.
Broiler should yield more meat and
hence should be able to grow well.
Layers consume less feed. They need
feed rich in vitamins
Broilers consume more feed. . They
require feed rich in proteins,
fats minerals and micronutrients and
vitamin A and K
Layers grow slower. Broilers grows faster.
Egg and Broiler Production
There are two basic targets of poultry farming :-
(i) obtaining more and more eggs,
(ii) getting flesh
Broiler chickens are feed with vitamin-rich supplementary feed
for good growth rate and better feed efficiency.
The housing, nutritional and environmental requirements of
broilers are somewhat different from those of egg layers.
The ration for broilers is protein rich with adequate fat. The
level of vitamin A and K is kept high in the poultry feeds.
Vegetarian eggs are infertile eggs, produce by without
presence of cock.
Poultry care (management practices) :-
For good production of poultry birds
Maintenance of temperature and hygienic
conditions in poultry housings
Poultry feeds
Prevention and control of diseases and pests.
Control of diseases :
(1) Vaccination
(2) Proper cleaning sanitation and spraying
of disinfectants at regular intervals.
The Indian Veterinary Research Institute
(IVRI), Uttaranchal prepares vaccine
against Ranikhet disease.
Fish Production (PISCICULTURE)
The rearing and breeding of fish
scientifically by man in ponds, lacks is,
known as pisciculture/fish farming/fishery.
Fish and other sea-foods are the source of
animal protein and are consumed by a large
section of our population.
Fish liver oil is particularly rich in vitamin-A
and vitamin-D.
Total fish production in India - 7th rank is world
Marine fish production in India - 10th rank in world
Aquaculture production in India - 2nd rank is South-East Asian countries.
Types of fish-farming
(A) On the basis of nature of source of fishes :
(i) Capture fisheries
(ii) Culture fisheries
(B) On the basis of nature of water sources :
(i) Marine fisheries
(ii) Inland fisheries
(C) On the basis type of fishes :
(i) Fin fisheries
(ii) Shell fisheries
On the basis of nature of water
sources :
(i) Marine fisheries - Fish production in
marine (sea) water.
(ii) Inland fisheries - Fish production in
fresh water system and brackish waters
like estuaries and lagoons (where sea
water gets mixed with fresh water).
On the basis type of fishes :
(i) Fin fisheries - includes capturing and
management of true fishes.
(ii) Shell fisheries - includes capturing and
management of crustaceans (prawns, crabs)
molluscs (oysters, mussels) and seaweeds.
Oysters are also cultivated for the pearls they
make, like mullets, bhetki and pearl spots.
Mariculture
Culture of marine
fishes, shell fishes and
sea weeds.
As marine fish stocks
are getting deplected,
the demand for more
fish can only be met
by mariculture.
Marine Fisheries
India's marine fishery resources include 7500 km
of coastline and the deep seas beyond it.
Marine fishes such
as pomphret, mackerel, tuna, sardines, Bombay
duck, hilsa, salmon, Eel.
These are caught by various methods :-
(i) Fishing nets (ii) Fishing boats (iii) Echo-
Sounders (iv) Use of Satellites
Inland Fisheries :
It includes fisheries in canals, ponds, reservoirs
and rivers and brackish water.
Main fresh water fish culture systems are :-
(i) Composite fish culture or polyculture
(ii) Paddy-cum-fish culture
Composite fish culture
In this culture, a combination of five or six species is
used, in a single fishpond
These fishes have different food habits and do not
compete with each other for food.
These fishes utilize food available in different parts of
ponds.
e.g. Catla is a surface feeder, Rohu feeds in the middle
(column feeder),
Mrigal and Common Carp feed at the bottom and Grass
Carp and silver carp feed on aquatic plants in the pond.
On problem with such composite fish culture is
that many of these fish breed only during
monsoon. Other major problem in fish farming is
the lack of availability of good quality seeds.
To overcome this problem, these fishes are bred
in different ponds using hormonal stimulation.
This has ensured the supply of fish seed in desired
quantities.
Varieties of fishes
Indigenous fresh water fishes
e.g. Catla, Rohu, Mrigal
Exotic fresh water fishes
e.g. Silver Carp, Common Carp, Grass Carp
Marine fishes
e.g. Bombay duck, Pomphret
BEE- KEEPING (APICULTURE)
Apiculture is the process of rearing of honey bees in the
artificial hives, for the production of honey at
commercial level.
Speices of Honey Bees :
(a) Indigenous species :
(i) Apis dorsata - Rock bee or Giant bee
(ii) Apis indica - Indian bee
(iii) Apis florae - Little bee
(b) Exotic species
(i) Apis mellifera - Italian bee
Honey bee colony and social organization
Honey bees are social and polymorphic insects.
Their living place is called beehive or hive which has
small compartments-combs.
In a colony, there are three types of bees which are
structurally and functionally different from one
another, so polymorphism is associated with division
of labour. These types are :-
1. Queen
2. Drones
3. Workers
Importance of apiculture
(a) Products of honey bees :
(i) Honey :
- It is produced by the worker from collected nectar.
- It is formed of laevulose, dextrose, maltose, minerals (rich in iron and
calcium), enzymes.
- It has medical importance, used against disorders of digestion,
dysentry, vomiting and stomach and liver problems. Also used as
antiseptic.
(ii) Bee wax - used is cosmetics, paints, ointments.
(iii) Bee venom - used to cure gout and arthritis.
(iv) Royal jelly - used as tonic to heart patients
(b) Honey bees are chief cross-pollinating agents.
(c) It provides additional income generating activity to the farmers.
Pasturage
Quality of honey depends on the plants (flora)
available for the collection of nectar and pollen.
Common flora are - Mango, Coconut, Almond,
Tamarind, apple, Litchi, cotton, Shisham. Mahua,
Coriander berseem.
Apiary or Bee hive :
- An artificial and movable bee hive, called apiary.
Swarming : Is the mass emigration of the bees of a
bee hive to settle down elsewhere in order to form a
new hive.
Sericulture
Is the rearing of silk worms for the production of
raw silk.
Silk worm - Bombyx mori