Livestock management refers to adequate or intensive care given to animals to ensure maximum production.
The major considerations in livestock management practices system are:
1. The type of animal and the use of the right animal
2. Selection of right breed
3. The housing system to be used
4. Type of feeding or the feeding system
5. Hygiene and sanitation practices
HOUSING MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
The housing management practices depend on the size and the type of animal. Generally, we have the following housing management
1. Free range or extensive system
2. Intensive system
3. Semi intensive system
FREE RANGE OF EXTENSIVE SYSTEM
This is a system of animal management whereby animals are given very little or no care at all.
Animals are to go out to look for food themselves and to sleep anywhere at night.
ADVANTAGES
1. There is little or no cost of feeding
2. Spread of diseases is at the minimum level
3. It does not involve much labour
DISADVANTAGES
1. Under this system, record keeping is difficult
2. Animals could be killed by wild animal
3. Animals can be easily infected with diseases
4. Disease infected animal cannot be easily identified or located for treatment
INTENSIVE SYSTEM
In this system of livestock management animals are kept indoor throughout the period of rearing. They are given food, water and other necessary things for their growth and development.
In poultry, intensive management system include the following
1. Battery cage system: This housing system is considered good for layers and it is a system where birds are kept in cage.
2. Deep litter system: This is a system where birds are kept in a house with concrete floor and litter (saw dust or saw wood) to absorb the drooping of birds.
ADVANTAGES OF INTENSIVE SYSTEM
1. It aids record keeping
2. Disease infected animal can be identified for treatment
3. It aids proper monitoring of animal especially the ones kept for breeding.
4. Animals are provided with required nutrition for their growth and development
5. Animals under intensive system are not exposed to diseases
DISADVANTAGES
1. This system is costly
2. It is labour intensive
3. Diseases spread faster
SEMI-INTENSIVE SYSTEM
This is a system of animal management whereby animals are provided with housing and are allowed to move about within a fenced area during the day.
ADVANTAGES OF SEMI-INTENSIVE SYSTEM
1. It is not labour intensive
2. Spread of diseases is minimal
3. Management cost is relatively low
DISADVANTAGES OF SEMI-INTENSIVE SYSTEM
1. Record keeping could be difficult
2. Theft case could result
3. They are liable to diseases attack
The major considerations in livestock management practices system are:
1. The type of animal and the use of the right animal
2. Selection of right breed
3. The housing system to be used
4. Type of feeding or the feeding system
5. Hygiene and sanitation practices
The housing management practices depend on the size and the type of animal. Generally, we have the following housing management
1. Free range or extensive system
2. Intensive system
3. Semi intensive system
FREE RANGE OF EXTENSIVE SYSTEM
This is a system of animal management whereby animals are given very little or no care at all.
Animals are to go out to look for food themselves and to sleep anywhere at night.
ADVANTAGES
1. There is little or no cost of feeding
2. Spread of diseases is at the minimum level
3. It does not involve much labour
DISADVANTAGES
1. Under this system, record keeping is difficult
2. Animals could be killed by wild animal
3. Animals can be easily infected with diseases
4. Disease infected animal cannot be easily identified or located for treatment
INTENSIVE SYSTEM
In this system of livestock management animals are kept indoor throughout the period of rearing. They are given food, water and other necessary things for their growth and development.
In poultry, intensive management system include the following
1. Battery cage system: This housing system is considered good for layers and it is a system where birds are kept in cage.
2. Deep litter system: This is a system where birds are kept in a house with concrete floor and litter (saw dust or saw wood) to absorb the drooping of birds.
ADVANTAGES OF INTENSIVE SYSTEM
1. It aids record keeping
2. Disease infected animal can be identified for treatment
3. It aids proper monitoring of animal especially the ones kept for breeding.
4. Animals are provided with required nutrition for their growth and development
5. Animals under intensive system are not exposed to diseases
DISADVANTAGES
1. This system is costly
2. It is labour intensive
3. Diseases spread faster
SEMI-INTENSIVE SYSTEM
This is a system of animal management whereby animals are provided with housing and are allowed to move about within a fenced area during the day.
ADVANTAGES OF SEMI-INTENSIVE SYSTEM
1. It is not labour intensive
2. Spread of diseases is minimal
3. Management cost is relatively low
DISADVANTAGES OF SEMI-INTENSIVE SYSTEM
1. Record keeping could be difficult
2. Theft case could result
3. They are liable to diseases attack