What is Animal Husbandry?

Animal husbandry is the science of taking care of domestic animals that are used primarily as food or product sources. In many places throughout the world, people are essentially specialists in animal husbandry by means of being farmers, ranchers, sheepherders, or anyone who takes care of a variety of animals. Anyone who takes care of domesticated animals, especially in large groups, is practicing animal husbandry.

A second definition of animal husbandry is that it is a subject that can be studied, often in the college environment. People who take undergraduate degrees in animal husbandry may be less interested in caring for a flock of animals and more likely to specialize with graduate degrees in veterinary medicine, pharmacy degrees specializing in animals, or in managing large companies that produce products for animals like feed. Some people who raise animals may also take a class or two in animal husbandry to learn how to do certain things, like how to dock tails, make use of the newest technology to milk animals, or how to breed animals using artificial insemination techniques.