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What subjects are studied in the animal sciences?
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Agricultural sciences
An agricultural scientist recording corn growth.
The animal sciences encompass a broad range of disciplines focused on understanding the life processes of agricultural animals to optimize their production of food and other commodities. The field includes the following major areas of study:
- Applied Animal Physiology: Investigates the biological functions and life processes of farm animals to improve their health and productivity.1
- Nutrition: Focuses on animal metabolism, nutrient requirements, and the development of optimal diets using various feedstuffs and supplements.1
- Breeding and Genetics: Applies scientific principles to selective breeding and planned matings to enhance desirable traits, such as growth rate, lean tissue production, or milk yield.12
- Ecology and Ethology: Examines how animals interact with their environment—including temperature, light, and air—and studies their behavioral adaptability to surroundings.1
- Livestock and Poultry Management: Involves the practical application of scientific findings to the management of herds and flocks.1
- Animal Health: Conducted largely by veterinary scientists, this area focuses on identifying, preventing, and treating diseases that affect food animals, such as Marek’s disease or avian flu.1