Career In Animal Husbandry: Courses, Admission, Jobs, Salary

Animal Husbandry is a science of feeding, breeding and management of domestic animals, especially farm animals such as cows, buffaloes, cattle, sheep, horses, hogs, etc.

The most common job profile in this field are animal technician, research assistant, veterinary doctor, animal caretaker, breeding supervisor & live stock farm manager.

Animal Husbandry plays a vital role in rural areas because a large number of farmers depend on the animal husbandry for their livelihoods. This involves dairy, meat, wool, egg production and sustainable farming practices.

Some examples of animal husbandry are Beekeeping, Dog breeding, Farming, Horse breeding, Pig farming, Raising cattle, Sheep farming, fish farming etc.

To pursue a career in “Animal Husbandry” candidates can choose from a diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree course in this field.

The first selective breeding for desired traits was established by Robert Bakewell, during the British Agricultural Revolution in the 18th century.

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Career Scope

A large number of Indian farmers depends on animal husbandry for their livelihood. Globally the adoption of sustainable farming practices and high demand of dairy, poultry and meat based products have given to animal husbandry practices.

The Indian government is also actively supporting animal husbandry through various schemes and infrastructure development by providing subsidized loans.

Animal husbandry professionals can run their own farms as there is huge scope in entrepreneurship in dairy, poulty, goat and fish farming.

The scope of animal husbandry is very good as there are many jobs in this field like supplying of meat, egg, milk, wool, etc. The animal husbandry plays a vital role in increasing Indian economy especially the rural sector.

After completing your degree aspirants can work as an veterinary officer, an advisor to a commercial officer or management officer, or as a farm incharge in the private sector, candidates can also work as an entrepreneur by starting their own dairy farm, poultry farm business.

As an entrepreneur or a farm Incharge, you need to oversee the following operations:

• Keep detailed records of the animals feed, vaccination, health  
• Regularly checking animal’s living area
• Preparing meals for them and feeding them
• Take care of their health and providing right medicine or consult a veterinarian if needed.
• Keep breeding records and monitor pregnant animals

Animal Husbandry Courses

Want to become a professional in this field?…… then first pursue a degree or a diploma course in this field.

Animal Husbandry field has lots of courses to pursue like diploma, bachelors and postgraduate courses. You can study courses in this field in India and as well in abroad.

Mostly agricultural universities in India offer courses in this field. The bachelor degree course in this field is of four year duration and diploma course is of one year duration.

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“In India, Animal Husbandry courses are quite similar to Veterinary Science courses.”

Here we have listed some courses by which you can make a career in this field:

Diploma Courses

• National Diploma in Animal Husbandry
• Diploma in Animal Husbandry
• Diploma in Animal Welfare Division of Medicine

Bachelor Courses

• B.Sc in Animal Husbandry & Dairying
• Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (BVSc & AH)

Post Graduate Courses

• M.Sc in Animal Husbandry & Dairying

Doctoral Courses

• Ph.D in Animal Husbandry/ Animal Husbandry & Drying
• Ph.D in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry

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Eligibility Criteria

• For admission to undergraduate courses, candidates must have passed 10+2 class with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English subjects.
• The minimum age limit is 17 years for admission into the UG programs.
• For admission to BVSc & AH courses candidates need to qualify NEET UG entrance exam.
• For master courses, students must have a bachelor degree in the related field.

Admission Process

Interested to get admission in these courses?

Students can get admission in UG courses after passing their 12^th (Courses & Career options after 12th)with PCB subjects.

The candidates must qualify NEET UG exam for admission to UG programs like BVSc & AH and for admission to B.Sc and M.Sc programs CUET UG and CUET PG score will be taken into consideration.

The counselling for admission to the seats, are conducted by state state veterinary or agricultural universities and Veterinary Council of India (VCI)  at the national level.

Top Animal Husbandry Colleges in India

Some most sought colleges to pursue animal husbandry courses are listed below:

• Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh
• Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), Chennai
• Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana
• Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU),
• BidarVeterinary College, Bangalore (under KVAFSU)
• College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University, Gujarat
• College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner, Rajasthan
• College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Kerala
• College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara
• Bombay Veterinary College, Mumbai
• Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Andhra Pradesh
• Faculty of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Jharkhand
• Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Haryana
• Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Science University
• Central Agricultural University, Imphal

Jobs & Career Prospect

“Animal Husbandry as a career offers immense job opportunities.”

After graduating in animal husbandry courses, candidates can work with farms, zoos, dairy companies and various government research organizations.

In private sector, candidates can work in large corporations dealing with milk processing companies, poultry firms, and companies engaged in research activities.

Self employment opportunities are also available to the candidates, as they setup their own farm and work in the following business:

• Veterinary Clinic
• Dairy Farming
• Poultry Farming
• Feed & Nutrition Supply
• Organic Manure and Vermicompost
• Agribusiness Consultancy

In government sector, candidates can work with state owned animal husbandry department, agriculture research institutes, and Veterinary hospitals.

Job Profiles

• Veterinary Officer
• Farm Manager
• Research Assistant
• Entrepreneur
• Animal Husbandry Technician
• Subject Matter Specialist
• Post Graduate Teacher
• Animal Husbandry Officer

Employment Area

• Stud farms
• Poultry Farms
• Rabbit farms
• Veterinary Hospitals
• Wildlife Sanctuaries
• Animal Husbandry Clinics
• Aviaries
• Zoological parks
• Dairy farms
• Agricultural Research institutes

Top Recruiters

Some of the major recruiters:

• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
• State Animal Husbandry Departments
• National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)
• National Livestock Mission (NLM)
• Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI)
• Amul
• Mother Dairy
• Hatsun Agro Product Ltd.
• Godrej Agrovet
• National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)
• Veterinary Council of India
• Indian Council for Agricultural Research
• State Animal Husbandry Department
• Central Cattle Breeding Farm

Salary and Payscale

How much will i earn in this field?

In India, the average salary of a animal husbandry professional ranges between ₹5 to 9 lakhs per annum.

The animal husbandry graduates working in research or scientific roles are paid between between ₹6 to 12 lakhs per annum.

The salaries of the professional varies based on their qualifications, experience, working location and job roles. below is the salary chart of professional based on their education qualifications and experience.

The salary of the professionals employed in government departments are paid as per the government norms and payscale. The salary comprises of basic pay and various other allowances & perks.

In private sector, large corporations like Amul, Mother Dairy, Godrej Agrovet offers good salary package to the professionals in various roles like technical consultant, plant specialist, researcher, farm manager, supervisor and various other roles.

Books & Study Materials

Good books to study Animal Husbandry are listed here:

• Animal Husbandry by Laura Zigman
• Animal Sciences: The Biology, Care, and Production of Domestic Animals by John R Campbell
• Basic Animal Nutrition and Feeding by D. C. Church
• A Textbook of Animal Husbandry by Banerjee G. C.
• Physiology and Technology of Reproduction in Female Domestic Animals by R. H.F. Hunter
• Clinical Procedures in Veterinary Nursing by Victoria Aspinall
• Marek’s Disease: An Evolving Problem (Biology of Animal Infections) by Fred Davison, Venugopal Nair

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