13. Animal Husbandry and its Importance

Animal Husbandry

Definition:

    Animal husbandry is the agriculture department worried about animals raised for meat, fiber, milk, or different merchandise. It includes routine care, selective breeding, and the elevating of cattle.

Simple Introduction:

    Husbandry has an extended history, beginning with the Neolithic Revolution when animals were first domesticated, from around 13,000 BC onwards, predating farming of the primary vegetation. By the point of early civilizations along with ancient Egypt, livestock, sheep, goats, and pigs were being raised on farms.

Ancient History:

    In historical Egypt, farm animals have been the most crucial farm animals, and sheep, goats, and pigs have been additionally saved; chickens which include geese, ducks, and pigeons became captured in nets and bred on farms, in which they have been force-fed with dough to fatten them. The Nile furnished an ample source of fish. Honey bees have been domesticated from as a minimum the antique state, providing honey and wax. In historic Rome, all the farm animals recognized in historical Egypt were to be had. In addition, rabbits were domesticated for food by using the primary century BC. To assist in flushing them out from their burrows, the polecat changed into domesticated as the ferret, its use described through Pliny the Elder.

Medieval husbandry:

    In northern Europe, agriculture and animal husbandry declined while the Roman empire collapsed. Some factors consisting of the herding of animals continued during this period. By the eleventh century, the economic system had recovered and the geographical region changed again effectively. The Domesday ebook recorded every parcel of land and each animal in England: "there was no longer one unmarried cover, nor a backyard of land, nay, moreover ... Now not even an ox, nor a cow, nor a swine became there left, that became now not set down in writ." as an instance, the royal manor of Earley in Berkshire, one in all heaps of villages recorded in the e-book, had in 1086 "2 fisheries well worth 7s and 6d and 20 acres of meadow. Forest for 70 pigs." The enhancements of animal husbandry inside the medieval length in Europe went hand in hand with different tendencies. Upgrades to the plow allowed the soil to be tilled to an extra depth. Horses took over from oxen as the principal vendors of traction, new thoughts on crop rotation have been advanced and the developing of crops for winter fodder received ground. Peas, beans, and vetches became commonplace; they accelerated soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, permitting more livestock to be kept.

Modern History:

    Because the 18th century, humans have come to be increasingly more involved approximately the welfare of farm animals, and laws and standards are extensively enforced in reaction. In terms of lifestyle, animal husbandry frequently has an idyllic photo, offered in youngsters’ books and songs, wherein glad animals stay in the pretty countryside. A similar picture can be projected by petting farms and through ancient farms that provide farm remains to pay site visitors.

Role of Animal Husbandry in Human welfare:

• Dairy merchandise-generating animals like cows, sheep, and goats are the essential sources of milk and milk products which include butter, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, and many others.
• Many animals along with hens, goats, ducks, pigs, and buffaloes are used for their meat because of their exceptionally nutritious fee.
• Farm animals are used to govern the increase of weeds on agricultural land because the dry shrubs which can be vulnerable to fire are eaten up by using diverse animals. This reduces the danger and damage that may be confronted with unparalleled situations. So, it is critical for land control.
• Wool and leather are fiber-using products from animals like sheep and camels. While these animals are reared in great quantity, the products may be obtained in large part too.
• The significance of animal husbandry also lies in the fact that the excreta, bones, and blood of animals can be used as manure or fertilizers via composting. Those can be unfolded on fields to decorate crop yield.
• Animals are useful for plowing fields, military functions, and transporting items from one vicinity to other. Example: Horse, yak, and donkey.

Types of Animal Husbandry:

1. Poultry Farming
2. Dairy Farming
3. Aquatic Farming
4. Bee Farming

Importance of Animal Husbandry:

• Animal rearing is critical for humans as they reap a wide range of meals and merchandise with excessive nutrient values. They meet the industrial requirements of excessive calls for meals together with dairy needs from cows, goats, and buffaloes. They are known as milch animals as they provide us with milk which is complete with protein and other nutrients and minerals.
• The importance of animal husbandry extends to another set of animals that are important to human beings for eggs and meat together with hens, ducks, geese, goats, fish, and many others. They may be additionally bred for beef that's rich in protein, iron, fats, vitamin B12, and Zinc. These vitamins are crucial to beautify metabolic rate, sell fullness, and decreasing starvation. Marine animals like fish also are believed to keep a person happier and healthier as those have Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin d.
• Animal husbandry is a big-scale commercial enterprise that looks after the control and breeding of animals  A farm or a selected location is built for supplying refuge, meals, and assignment culturing techniques. It additionally involves apiculture i.e. Bee agriculture and aquaculture i.e. Marine animal culturing.

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