An introduction to animal husbandry in the tropics.

Abstract

The new edition of this comprehensive handbook on animal husbandry has been greatly revised and expanded. The basic principles, including adaptation, animal health, animal breeding and animal nutrition in tropical climates, are outlined, and recent developments in animal feeding and nutrition and the more efficient use of low-quality feeds examined. In a new chapter, due attention is given to germplasm conservation and the rational use of the vast stock of genetic resources (breeds and land races) that contribute to the world's biodiversity. There are also new chapters on sustainable and integrated systems of production, especially in small-scale, mixed farming systems, and on the abilities and problems of working animals and draught animal power under tropical conditions. Husbandry practices are described for several types of livestock: beef cattle, dairy cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, camels, dromedaries, llamas, alpacas, swine, Equidae (horses, mules and donkeys), poultry (chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, peafowl, quails, guinea fowl, pigeons, ostrich and megapodes), and large game (mammalian wild animals). New or revised chapters detail the husbandry of various minor species or micro-livestock: rabbits, guineapigs, rodents, capybara, mouse deer, barking deer or muntjac, snails, and iguanas and other reptiles. Information on animal products (meat, carcass by-products, fibres, hides and skins, and milk products) is also presented. KEYWORDS: TROPAG | animal husbandry | livestock management | animal health | animal breeding | feeds | teaching materials.