TLDR: Animal husbandry is all about taking care of and breeding animals that are raised for meat, milk, fiber, and other products. It has been around since ancient times and has evolved over the years with advancements in agriculture. Today, there are different systems of animal husbandry, ranging from extensive grazing to intensive farming. The main goal is to ensure the health and well-being of the animals while maximizing productivity.

Animal husbandry is a branch of agriculture that focuses on the management, selective breeding, and care of farm animals. It involves day-to-day tasks like feeding, sheltering, and providing medical care for the animals. The animals raised in animal husbandry can be used for various purposes, such as producing meat, milk, fiber, and other products.

The history of animal husbandry dates back to the Neolithic Revolution, when animals were first domesticated around 13,000 BC. Since then, animals like cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs have been raised on farms. Major changes in animal husbandry occurred during the Columbian exchange, when Old World livestock were brought to the New World, and the British Agricultural Revolution, which led to the rapid improvement of livestock breeds.

Today, animal husbandry relies on different production systems adapted to the type of land available. In more developed parts of the world, intensive animal farming is common, where animals are kept in high-density feedlots or battery farms. In less developed areas, animals are often kept more extensively and allowed to roam and forage for themselves.

Livestock in animal husbandry are mainly herbivores, except for pigs and chickens, which are omnivores. Ruminants like cattle and sheep are adapted to feed on grass, while pigs and poultry require other high-protein foods. Animals are fed a variety of foods, including grass, hay, silage, and specially formulated compound foodstuffs.

Selective breeding is an important aspect of animal husbandry. Farmers breed animals with desirable traits like fast growth rates, high productivity, and good health. This has led to significant increases in productivity over the years. Animal health is also a priority in animal husbandry, with proper feeding, hygiene, and veterinary care being essential.

Animal husbandry encompasses a wide range of species, including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, and even fish and insects. Different species have different requirements and are raised in different ways. For example, dairy farming focuses on milk production, while poultry farming is all about raising chickens for meat and eggs.

In conclusion, animal husbandry is all about taking care of and breeding animals for various purposes. It has a long history and has evolved with advancements in agriculture. The main goal is to ensure the health and well-being of the animals while maximizing productivity.

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• Livestock
• Aquaculture