Page 159 - Understanding NCERT Science 09

loose hair. They should be sheltered under
Fig. 12.3: Indigenous milch breed of cattle
the birth of a calf. So, milk production can be
increased by increasing the lactation period.
Exotic or foreign breeds (for example, Jersey, milk production. A healthy animal feeds
Brown Swiss) are selected for long lactation
periods, while local breeds (for example, Red
Sindhi, Sahiwal) show excellent resistance to
diseases. The two can be cross-bred to get
animals with both the desired qualities.
Q 1. Which method is commonly used
uestion
for improving cattle breeds and
why?
Activity _____________12.3
• Visit a livestock farm. Note the
following:
(1) Number of cattle and number of
different breeds.
(2) The amount of daily milk production
from the different breeds.
Proper cleaning and shelter facilities for
cows and buffaloes are required for humane
farming, for the health of the animals and
for production of clean milk as well. Animals
require regular brushing to remove dirt and
IMPROVEMENT IN FOOD RESOURCES
Rationalised 2023-24
well-ventilated roofed sheds that protect them
from rain, heat and cold. The floor of the cattle
shed needs to be sloping so as to stay dry
and to facilitate cleaning.
The food requirements of dairy animals
are of two types: (a) maintenance
requirement, which is the food required to
support the animal to live a healthy life, and
(b) milk producing requirement, which is the
type of food required during the lactation
period. Animal feed includes: (a) roughage,
which is largely fibre, and (b) concentrates,
which are low in fibre and contain relatively
high levels of proteins and other nutrients.
Cattle need balanced rations containing all
nutrients in proportionate amounts. Besides
such nutritious food material, certain feed
additives containing micronutrients promote
the health and milk output of dairy animals.
Cattle suffer from a number of diseases.
The diseases, besides causing death, reduce
regularly and has a normal posture. The
parasites of cattle may be both external
parasites and internal parasites. The external
parasites live on the skin and mainly cause
skin diseases. The internal parasites like
worms, affect stomach and intestine while
are also caused by bacteria and viruses.
flukes damage the liver. Infectious diseases
Vaccinations are given to farm animals
against many major viral and bacterial
diseases.
12.2.2 POULTRY FARMING
Poultry farming is undertaken to raise
domestic fowl for egg production and chicken
meat. Therefore, improved poultry breeds are
developed and farmed to produce layers for
eggs and broilers for meat.
The cross-breeding programmes between
Indian (indigenous, for example, Aseel) and
foreign (exotic, for example, Leghorn) breeds
for variety improvement are focused on to
develop new varieties for the following
desirable traits—
(i) number and quality of chicks;
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