Maharashtra HSC Animal Science & Technology key terms

A hoofed mammal with a four-chambered stomach that ferments plant feed by microbes before true digestion. Cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goats belong to this group, while pigs and poultry do not.

The cycle in which swallowed feed is returned to the mouth, chewed again, and reswallowed to break fibre down further. It maintains saliva flow and microbial fermentation in the rumen.

The largest stomach chamber of cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goats, where microbes ferment feed. It absorbs volatile fatty acids and supports synthesis of microbial protein and B vitamins.

A bolus of partly digested feed returned from the rumen to the mouth for remastication and reinsalivation. Regular chewing of cud is a practical sign of rumen health.

Feed high in fibre and low in energy density, such as green fodder, hay, and straw. It stimulates chewing and rumen function and forms the base of ruminant rations.

Feed low in fibre and rich in energy or protein, such as cereal grain, oil cake, or mineral mixture. It is fed in measured amounts to supplement roughage and raise nutrient intake.

A complete feed blend of roughage, concentrate, and supplements mixed uniformly and offered together. It prevents selective eating, stabilises rumen fermentation, and simplifies feeding on larger dairy farms.

The weight of feed consumed divided by the weight of product or body gain produced. Lower values mean more efficient use of feed and are compared across species and management systems.

The mean live-weight increase per animal per day over a stated period. It measures growth performance in cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs and guides feeding and culling decisions.

The first milk secreted after birth, rich in antibodies, protein, and fat. Newborn calves, lambs, and piglets need it within the first hours of life to gain passive immunity.

Protection acquired when antibodies are transferred from mother to young rather than produced by the young itself. In livestock it depends mainly on timely intake of colostrum.

Deliberate administration of an antigen to stimulate protective immune memory before natural exposure. It is a core biosecurity measure against diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and Newcastle disease.

An infectious disease that can pass from animals to humans, such as brucellosis, tuberculosis, or rabies. Its control requires hygiene, surveillance, and protective measures for farm workers.

Inflammation of the udder, usually caused by bacterial infection entering through the teat canal. It reduces milk yield and quality and is controlled by teat hygiene and dry-period therapy.

The number of body cells, mainly white blood cells, per millilitre of milk. A high count signals udder infection and lowers the price and keeping quality of milk.

Equipment that removes milk by pulsating vacuum through teat cups. Correct cleaning, liner condition, and pulsation settings protect teat health and limit mastitis spread.

Mating animals of two or more distinct breeds to combine desirable traits in the offspring. It exploits hybrid vigour and is widely used to improve growth and milk yield in Indian livestock.

The extra performance of crossbred offspring over the average of the parent breeds, known as hybrid vigour. It is strongest in first-generation crosses and for traits such as fertility and survival.

Choosing which animals become parents so that favourable, heritable traits increase in later generations. Progress depends on accurate records, trait heritability, and generation interval.

A recorded list of an animal's ancestors used to trace descent and estimate breeding value. Reliable pedigrees support selection decisions and help avoid close inbreeding.

Deposition of collected, processed semen into the female reproductive tract without natural mating. It widens access to proven sires, reduces disease transmission, and supports genetic improvement.

The period of sexual receptivity in female mammals, when mating or insemination can result in conception. Detection of its signs determines the timing of artificial insemination.

The length of pregnancy from conception to birth, which differs by species. Knowing it helps plan dry periods, calving or farrowing dates, and feeding changes for late pregnancy.

The non-lactating interval before the next calving, commonly about sixty days in dairy cattle. It allows udder tissue to regenerate and supports the next lactation and calf growth.

A graph of daily milk yield across a lactation, typically rising to a peak then declining gradually. Its shape guides feeding levels, drying-off decisions, and culling of poor producers.

The managed care of calves from birth to weaning, covering colostrum feeding, hygiene, housing, and gradual introduction of solid feed. Good rearing determines future herd replacement quality.

A chicken bred and reared for meat, reaching market weight in roughly six to seven weeks. Fast growth depends on balanced feed, controlled housing, and strict disease prevention.

A chicken kept for table-egg production, usually managed under a lighting and feeding schedule from about eighteen weeks of age. Peak laying occurs in the first months of the cycle.

The controlled warming of fertile eggs until chicks hatch, lasting about twenty-one days in chickens. Temperature, humidity, turning, and ventilation must be regulated throughout.

A facility that incubates fertile eggs and supplies day-old chicks to farms. Its hygiene and handling standards strongly influence chick quality and early mortality.

The set of practices that prevent disease agents from entering or spreading on a farm, such as visitor control, disinfection, and isolation of new stock. It protects both animals and farm income.

High-moisture green fodder preserved by controlled anaerobic fermentation in a silo or bunker. It supplies succulent feed when pasture is scarce, provided air is excluded and spoilage avoided.

Deliberate addition of water, starch, or other substances to milk, or removal of fat, to increase volume or mask poor quality. Testing for fat, solids, and freezing point detects such practices.

The weight of clean wool obtained after removing grease, dirt, and vegetable matter from fleece. It determines the commercial value of a sheep clip and reflects breed and nutrition.

Carcass weight expressed as a percentage of live weight at slaughter. It varies with species, breed, age, and gut fill, and is used to price meat animals fairly.

The act of giving birth in pigs, with a gestation of about 114 days and litters of several piglets. Farrowing pens and creep areas protect piglets from being crushed or chilled.

A highly digestible starter feed offered to young animals in a protected area they can enter but adults cannot. It encourages early intake and eases weaning in piglets and lambs.

A farmer-owned organisation that collects, processes, or markets members' produce and shares returns among them. In Indian dairying it links small producers to organised milk procurement.

Total enterprise income minus variable costs such as feed, labour, and veterinary charges. It compares profitability between enterprises without allocating fixed costs like buildings.