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Animal husbandry is a branch of agriculture concerned with the care and management of livestock. Animal husbandry deals with the feeding, breeding, housing and health care of livestock for getting maximum benefits. Since long time, animals like bees and silkworm, have been used by humans. Livestock has been used by humans for products like milk, eggs, meat, wool, silk, honey, etc. The increase in human population has increased the demand of these products. Hence, it is necessary to improve the management of livestock scientifically. Modern animal husbandry relies on production systems adapted to the type of land available. Subsistence farming is giving way to intensive animal farming in the more developed parts of the world, where for example beef cattle may be kept in high density feedlots, and thousands of chickens may be raised in broiler houses or batteries. More than 70 per cent of the world livestock population is in India and China. But it is interesting to note that the contribution to the world farm produce is only 25 per cent. Hence in addition to old practices of animal breeding and care, new techniques have to be used to improve quality and productivity. Animal husbandry extension will play an important role in changing the knowledge regarding animal husbandry management, skill in animal rearing practices and attitude towards newer technology of livestock owner which can lead to an increase in per animal milk production.

This volume ‘Animal Husbandry and Extension’ is an integrated text to provide educational concepts and self study guide for students, researchers, teachers, livestock extension specialists and administrators interested in the study of Animal science. The aim of this book is to identify and explain the causes and contributors to current problems in animal husbandry, especially those related to ‘factory farming’, and advance arguments that may contribute to its successful re-orientation.