Explaining from agricultural discipline, animal husbandry is a branch of science which deals with the practice of breeding, farming and care of farm animals like cattle, dogs, sheep, and horses by humans for advantages. Animal husbandry is a livestock raising and selective breeding. It is one aspect of agricultural science.
A large number of farmers depend on Animal Husbandry as a means of surviving. Moreover, supplying of milk, meat, eggs, wool and hides, animals, majorly bullocks, are the major source of power for both farmers and dryers.
Animal husbandry as an act of caring and managing of domestic animals by humans for profit purpose, through which genetic qualities and trait, considered to be benefits to humans, are further developed. Animal husbandry has been part of the subsistence farmer’s way of life in ancient days, producing not only the food needed by the family but also the fuel, fertilizer, clothing, transport and draught power. Using animals as a portion of food was considered as a secondary objective, and wherever possible its products, like eggs, wool, milk, etc. were harvested while the animal was still alive.
Significant of Animal Husbandry in Human Welfare
The role of animal husbandry can be overlooked in human existence as it has contributed to human devel opment, economically and in other spheres of life.
- Dairy Products: Mammalian livestock are used as a source of milk and dairy products like yogurt, cheese, butter, ice cream, etc.
- Meat: As the useful production form of dietary protein and energy.
- Land management: Grazing of livestock is often used as a way of controlling weeds and undergrowth. Eg, in areas prone to wildfires, goats and sheep are set to graze on a dry shrub which reduces the risk of fires.
- Labour: Animals like horses, donkey, and yaks are used for mechanical energy. Prior to steam power, livestock is the only available source of non-human labor. Animals are still been used for these reasons in some parts of the globe, including plowing fields, transporting goods and military functions.
- Fertilizer: Manure spread on fields to increase crop yields. This is one of the important reasons why historically, plant and animal domestication have been intimately linked. Manure is at the same time used to make plaster for walls and floors and used as a fuel for fires. The blood and bones of animals are used as fertilizer.