Animal Agriculture

We talk about growth in animal production because the animal has to grow before it is ready for consumption. Let's take 3 definitions of growth viz; 1. Growth can be defined as the correlated increase in the mass of the body at a definite interval of time in a way characteristics of the species. 2. It can also be defined as the increase in new biochemical units brought about by cell division and cell enlargement through the incorporation of materials from the environment 3. True growth also is an increase in the amount of tissues such as bones, muscles and internal organs. Growth and Development Animal development refers to the alterations in the forms of the animal  from changes in the rate of increase of individual component of the body. Or it refers to the change in the conformation and functions of parts of the animal. Development comes as a result of growth, that is to say development is a consequent of growth. Growth of farm animals maybe grouped into two part

Save 35% on select product(s) with promo code 35M1XBPQ on Amazon.com I NTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL NUTRITION, ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF FARM ANIMALS (ANSC241)      1. ANIMAL NUTRITION Nutrition is the process by which an organism obtains food which is used to provide energy and materials for it's life sustaining activities. Without good nutrition, animals cannot express their full genetic potentials nor will they be reproductively efficient, often no reproductive weight, no life weight gain, no milk yield and increased illness are as a result of nutritional imbalance or deficiency. Well nourished animals are better able to withstand the incidence of diseases. Nutrition is by far the most important environmental factor affecting animal production and feed cost represent 75% or more of the total cost of animal production. Under traditional management system in the humid tropics, ruminants feeding is limited by the quantity and quality of nutrients available from indigenous grass a

Mating in pig rearing Weaners  Nursing sow Advantages of pig production • Pigs convert inedible feeds, forages, certain grain byproducts obtained from mills, meat by products, damaged feeds and garbage into valuable nutritious meat. Most of these feeds are either not edible or not very palatable to human beings • Pig grows fast and is a prolific breeder, farrowing 10 to 12 piglets at a time. It is capable of producing two litters per year under optimal  management conditions • The carcass return is quite high ie. 60-80 percent of live body weight With a small investment on building and equipment, proper feeding and sound disease control programme the farmer can profitably utilize his time and labour in this subsidiary occupation • The faeces of pigs is used as a manure to maintain soil fertility (Watch pen mating in pig breeding : https://youtu.be/GkKGu0L6aQE ) Pig farmers can be; • Small and landless farmers • Part time earning for educated youth having