Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science
Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science
This domain covers livestock and poultry breeds, feeding, breeding, health care and clean milk production. Rajasthan context includes Rathi and Tharparkar cattle, Murrah buffalo, Sirohi goats, Marwari sheep and camel breeds.
Core rules and concepts
- Breeds are classified by utility: milch, draught and dual-purpose cattle; buffalo breeds such as Murrah are judged on milk yield and fat.
- A balanced ration supplies energy, protein, minerals and vitamins in roughage and concentrate. Colostrum is the first milk and is rich in antibodies.
- Artificial insemination uses semen from a proven sire; heat detection and timing affect conception. The oestrous cycle length and gestation period are species-specific.
- Clean milk production requires healthy animals, clean udder, clean utensils, rapid cooling and hygienic milking.
- Common health issues include mastitis, foot-and-mouth disease, bloat and heat stress. Withdrawal periods apply to milk and meat after drug treatment.
Worked example
A calf weighs 25 kg at birth. Colostrum should be fed at about 10% of body weight in the first 24 hours, preferably within the first hour: 25 × 0.10 = 2.5 kg. Reason: colostrum supplies maternal antibodies before the calf's immune system matures, and absorption of antibodies declines rapidly after birth.
Traps that cost marks
Calling Murrah a cattle breed; discarding colostrum as waste milk; feeding colostrum only after 24 hours; ignoring drug withdrawal periods; confusing sheep and goat breeds or their typical products.