Category: Animal Husbandry

Dairy Cattle breeds specialized in milk production (new)

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Breeds of Dairy cow/The 4 most common cattle dairy breedsHow do you start a dairy farm?Things in your mind is probably which breed of dairy cattle to keep.The following are the most common breeds of dairy cows kept in Kenya Friesian Originated from Europe. It is white and black. Can also be red and white in colour.   Low butter/ fat content. High milk production. Meat production is also high.  Average live weight is 600kg. Visit via Mshindo media Guernsey Bred on the channel island of Guernsey.   Brown in colour.   Milk production…

Dry Cows Management to Reduce Mastitis in the Future

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Hygienic administration is essential, whether you are using antibiotic dry cow tubes, internal teatsealant or both, to prevent bacteria entering the quarter and causing infection. Note: Good hygiene is what will prevent new infections, and what happens at drying off this year will influence theincidence of new mastitis infections next year. REMEMBERWhen infusing the teat sealant, gently pinch the base of the teat closed (where the teat meets the udder) to ensure the teat sealant stays in the teat cistern. KEEP THE TUBESSTERILEDo not immerse syringes in water! If tubes…

How to successfully prevent udder infections after drying off I Mshindo media

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Dry Cow Therapy If you have found that you would say yes to any of these three questions, it would be worth you reviewing the steps of your dry cow management and making the relevant changes. Recent research has found the link between infection during the dry cow period and subsequent clinical mastitis and elevated somatic cell counts (SCC) in early lactation. We have created a list of 10 steps that will help you make the necessary changes to your dry cow management process Assessing body condition score Aim for…

RAISING A DISEASE-FREE POULTRY FARM (new) I Mshindo Media

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The cheapest and most-effective method of disease control  is through implementing *biosecurity*.  *Bio security* ensures that the health and well being of your birds are protected hence improving the immunity and performance of your flock. *Bio security* is a management practice designed to prevent entry of diseases into a farm, and limit spread. It is an essential element to a good animal husbandry process. It is important that every poultry farmer checks if their bio security plans are strong enough to keep out diseases. Infectious diseases are introduced on farms through:…

Enzyme | Definition, Composition, & Action (new)

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Enzymes are proteins that help speed up metabolism, or the chemical reactions in our bodies,They build some substances and break others down. All living things have enzymes. Our bodies naturally produce enzymes. But enzymes are also in manufactured products and food. An enzyme is a biological catalyst and is almost always a protein. It speeds up the rate of a specific chemical reaction in the cell Several types of enzymes are commonly used in poultry feeding programmes, either individually or in combination. Each enzyme has a specific role in feed digestion: Enzymes Composition…

Calf rearing and Management

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A good social life in good health – a goal for young animals Introduction The aim of calf rearing is to produce strong, healthy, well grown calves that will continue to develop steadily after weaning. The calf rearing period covers the time from birth to 12 weeks of age. It is an important goal in organic farming to give all animals good living conditions, also the young animals – and maybe in particular the young ones: it is a precondition for becoming a good milking cow that the cow had a good life and…

What things to consider when choosing to keep animals

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Introduction Emphasis on integration  Organic livestock husbandry is based on the harmonious relationship between land, plants and livestock, respect for the physiological and behavioral needs of livestock and the feeding of good-quality organically grown feedstuffs. (IFOAMs Norms for Organic Production (2012); General Principle for Animal Management, p. 42)  Integration of animals into crop producing farms is fundamental for many types of organic farms. In temperate and arid zones, animal husbandry plays an important role in the recycling of nutrients, while it is often less emphasized in the humid tropics. The caring, training, and…

Organic animal husbandry: Breeding, housing and feeding

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Breeding in Organic Farming Principles and Methods Breeds are adapted to local conditions (General Principle under 5.4, Breeds and Breeding, IFOAMs Norms 2012).  Breeding animals which are strong and robust and adapted to the local conditions is a strategy which is important both for health promotion and disease prevention. Traditional breeds of farm animals may be a good starting point for organic animal breeding. Animals can be improved by selection of individuals specially adapted to their natural organic conditions. They can be crossbred with suitable new breeds, thus achieving animals with the desired positive aspects of both…

Abortions Caused by Bacteria (new)

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Abortions Caused by Bacteria: Brucellosis, Salmonella, Leptospirosis, Vibriosis Brucellosis Summary In some countries Brucellosis has been eradicated or brought under control by a programe of blood testing, slaughter and heifer vaccination. However in most parts of East Africa there has been no control or vaccination and Brucellosis is common in both humans and animals.Brucellosis in humans resemble Malaria, and is often mistaken as such unless identified through laboratory testing. Cure of Brucellosis in humans is a very long drawn out and expensive administration of antibiotics and much better avoided by controlling…

Retained Placenta: Signs, Cause, Symptoms& Treatment (new)

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After giving birth cows sometimes do not drop the afterbirth (placenta) immediately. This can cause problems as decaying placenta tissue can cause a serious bacterial infection of the cow and if untreated the cow can even die. Normally expulsion takes place within 3-8 hours after delivery of the calf.  Retained placenta is a common complication after calving; if the cow doesn’t shed those membranes within about 12 -24 hours, it’s considered to be “retained.” Call a veterinarian after 12 hours to judge the situation and watch your cow closely. dont remove…

Animal Births/Parturition in cattle, goats and sheep I Mshindo Media (new)

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Birth in livestock is a natural process and normally does not need any human interference. But sometimes there can be birth problems where the dam needs assistance from the farmer/pastoralist.  The normal birth  Pregnancy in cattle lasts on average 280 days. It can be one week less or up to two and a half weeks more. If the cow has twins she will normally give birth before the 280 days are over. In goat and sheep pregnancy lasts 144 – 155 days, in pigs 110 – 118 days, in horses…

Milk | Definition, Types,Products Processing & Nutritional Value

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Milk is an emulsion or colloid of butterfat globules within a water-based fluid that contains dissolved carbohydrates and protein aggregates with minerals.  Dairy milk may be introduced at later ages if tolerated well. Although dairy milk may come from any mammal, cows, goats, buffalo, and sheep are common producers. Clean milk production Milk is highly perishable, it easily contract diseases. It has a high protein content making it a suitable medium for bacteria growth. For these reasons clean milk production practices are inevitable. It is advisable that farmers observe the following areas…

Silage making| Composition, Types, Process, Storing

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Introduction Silage is the material produced by controlled fermentation, under anaerobic conditions, of chopped crop residues or forages with high moisture contents. Silage is produced by the activities of naturally-occurring bacteria that convert some of the plant sugars into organic acids that preserve nutritional qualities.  Ideal characteristics of material used in silage making: Species of grass used:  Advantages of Silage:  Making silage Feeding a forage chopper with forage Harvesting for silage How to make silage In Kenya, the common method of silage making are through use of: A trench silo is built…

Pasture and Fodder Management | Production

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Introduction Pasture are plants (such as grass) grown for the feeding especially of grazing animals or grass or similar plants suitable for animals such as cows and sheep to eat, or an area of land covered in this: The availability of fodder is one of the limiting factors in animal husbandry. Organic husbandry should be mainly based on the fodder produced on the farm itself. As is the case with humans, there is a direct link between the food and the health of the animals.   Food requirements of animals If farm animals are to be productive (milk, eggs, meat etc.), it is important that they get suitable food in…

Pig | Definition, Meaning, Description, Breeds,Management & Facts

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Introduction Origin of pigs The pig is one of the oldest domesticated animals. It is found throughout the world especially in regions where there are no social or religious objections to pork consumption. As a young domesticated swine usually is pink or black animal with short legs and not much hair on its skin. Pigs are often kept on farms for their meat, which is called pork, ham, bacon, or gammon. The majority of the breeds we know are descended from the Eurasian Wild Boar (Sus scrofa). Archeological evidence from the Middle East indicates domestication of the pig occurs as early as 9,000 years ago, with some evidence for…

Pets: Cats | Definition, Types, History, & Facts

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Biology and Behaviour The cat, commonly referred to as the domestic cat or house cat, is the only domesticated species in the family Felidae. Biological classification of domestic cat Term for young: kitten  Lifespan: 12 – 18 years (Domesticated) Scientific name: Felis catus Daily sleep: 12 – 16 hours Gestation period: 65 days Collective noun: clowder, cluster, clutter, glaring, Cats may resemble one another but every cat has its very own character and behavior. This pronounced individuality is probably their most important characteristic – one that makes cats so popular among human beings. Nevertheless, given their origin and biology,…

Pets: Dog | History, Domestication, Physical Traits& Breeds 

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Introduction Dog, (Canis lupus familiaris), domestic mammal of the family Canidae (order Carnivora). The dog is a domesticated descendant of the wolf. Also called the domestic dog, it is derived from extinct Pleistocene wolves, and the modern wolf is the dog’s nearest living relative. The dog was the first species to be domesticated by humans. Lifespan: 10 – 13 years Domain: Eukaryota Family: Canidae Kingdom: Animalia Order: Carnivora Phylum: Chordata Dogs have been loyal companions to men for millenniums. Thanks to their extraordinary capabilities, dogs are highly appreciated and tremendously popular as helpers and as buddies. Hardly any other domestic animal…

Sheep | Definition,Characteristics, Breeds & Facts

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Introduction Origin and history of sheep The domestic sheep (Ovis aries) ruminant mammal typically kept as livestock refers to selective grazing animals that may be domesticated (tamed) or wild. At one time all wild. Around 10,000 BC sheep were domesticated by humans. Most of the wool breeds of sheep were developed from Moulfan sheep . Most of the hair breeds are similar to the Urial sheep of ancient times. Prior to domesticating sheep, only the dog and reindeer were domesticated.  As the animals were raised under tamed conditions, they went through several changes. On…