What is the Difference Between Animal Husbandry and Livestock

The main difference between animal husbandry and livestock is that animal husbandry involves many types of animals, including cattle, horses, birds, fish, and bees, while livestock generally does not include birds, fish, or insects.

Animal husbandry and livestock are two important terms in agriculture. Farmers all around the world depend on livestock and animal husbandry for their livelihoods. Basically, the word livestock refers to farm animals, while animal husbandry refers to the breeding and raising of these animals.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Animal Husbandry
– Definition, Features, Types
2. What is Livestock
– Definition, Features, Animals
3. Difference Between Animal Husbandry and Livestock
– Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Animals, Animal Husbandry, Farm Animals, Livestock

What is Animal Husbandry

Animal husbandry is the field of agriculture that deals with breeding and taking care of farm animals. Many farmers around the world depend on animal husbandry for their livelihood. Typically, the farmers breed, care for, rear, and shelter the animals in a farm or region specially built for them. The history of animal husbandry dates back thousands of years. It is believed to start around 13,000 BC Neolithic revolution when animals were first domesticated. But today, animal husbandry is modernized, and many farmers use methods like selective breeding to produce a better and higher yield.

Animal husbandry involves different types of animals like cows, horses, pigs, ducks, fish, etc. Based on the type of animals reared, we can categorize animal husbandry into several groups. In fact, there are four major types of animal husbandry: dairy farming, poultry farming, fish farming, and bee farming. Dairy farming involves animals raising mammals like cows, goats, sheep, and buffalos, which produce milk. It also involves the production of dairy products such as cheese and yogurt. Poultry farming, on the other hand, is concerned with the breeding and raising of birds like chicken, turkey, and ducks to obtain eggs and meat. Moreover, fish farming or pisciculture is the practice of raising fish in closed tanks, while bee farming or apiculture is the maintenance of bee colonies with the use of man-made beehives.

What is Livestock

Livestock refers to domesticated animals that are raised in agriculture to provide a diverse array of goods and services such as meat, milk, eggs, traction, and wool. Generally, the term livestock refers to terrestrial mammals: cattle, horses, sheep, and fur-bearing animals. Poultry or birds are not included in this term. It also does not include fish, insects, and reptiles. In addition, we do not usually describe pets using the word livestock.

However, it’s generally accepted animal husbandry is the breeding, raising, and slaughter of livestock. Overall, raising livestock is an important part of agriculture.

Difference Between Animal Husbandry and Livestock

Definition

Animal husbandry is the field of agriculture that deals with breeding and taking care of farm animals. Livestock, on the other hand, are domesticated animals that are raised in agriculture to provide a diverse array of goods and services such as meat, milk, eggs, traction, and wool.

Types of Animals

Animal husbandry involves many types of animals, including cattle, horses, birds, fish, and bees, while livestock generally does not include birds, fish, or insects.

Nature

In general, livestock refers to domesticated animals raised in agriculture, while animal husbandry is the breeding, raising, and managing of livestock.

Conclusion

The main difference between animal husbandry and livestock is that animal husbandry involves many types of animals, including cattle, horses, birds, fish, and bees, while livestock generally does not include birds, fish, or insects. In general, livestock refers to domesticated animals raised in agriculture, while animal husbandry is the breeding, raising, and managing of livestock.