Livestock, Poultry and Dairy Basics
What this domain covers
Livestock, Poultry and Dairy Basics tests housing, feeding, breeding, health and clean milk production. Haryana is known for Murrah buffalo and Sahiwal cattle; the exam may also cover crossbred cattle, goats and backyard poultry.
Core rules and concepts
- A balanced ration supplies energy, protein, minerals and vitamins. Roughage should form the base; concentrate is added according to milk yield and body condition.
- Dry matter intake is roughly 2.5–3% of body weight. A 500 kg buffalo eats about 12.5–15 kg dry matter per day.
- Clean water must be available at all times; a lactating animal may drink 60–100 litres daily depending on yield and weather.
- Colostrum is the first milk, rich in antibodies. The calf should receive it within the first hour, about 10% of body weight in the first 24 hours.
- Breeding: detect heat, use artificial insemination at the correct time, and maintain calving records. Silent heat is a common cause of delayed conception.
- Health: follow vaccination for FMD, haemorrhagic septicaemia and black quarter; deworm regularly; control ticks.
- Clean milk production: wash hands and udder, use a clean dry cloth, discard the first few streams, use stainless steel utensils and cool the milk quickly.
Worked example
A 500 kg buffalo eats 25 kg green fodder at 25% dry matter and 5 kg straw at 90% dry matter. Roughage dry matter = 6.25 + 4.5 = 10.75 kg. At 2.5% body weight, total dry matter need is 12.5 kg, so about 1.75 kg dry matter must come from concentrate. Reasoning: the calculation prevents overfeeding concentrate and shows why fodder quality matters.
Traps that cost marks
Do not discard colostrum. Do not change feed suddenly. Do not milk with wet hands or a dirty udder. Do not assume a cow in heat will always stand to be mounted; watch for other signs.