ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

Integrated educational activity

Course Sheet

Academic Year of enrolment:

2018/2019

Optional/Mandatory:

Compulsory

Degree:

5-year Single Cycle Master's Degree Programme in VETERINARY MEDICINE

Language:

Italian

Moduls:

Credits:

Programme Year:

Hours of classroom activity:

121

Prerequisites:

As regard the module, POULTRY AND FISH PRODUCTION: Basic knowledge of matematics, chemistry and biochemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology of livestock.
As regard the module,SPECIAL ZOOTECHNICS 1: Basic notions about anatomy, physiology and ethnology of animals.
As regard the module, SPECIAL ZOOTECHNICS 2: Basic notions about physiology, ethnology and genetics of animals.

AF code:

40000737

Assessment Methods

Verification of learning:

The final exam of the Integrated course of Special zootechnics is an oral exam. As regard POULTRY AND FISH PRODUCTION, students will have to demonstrate theorical knowledge and practical skills as well as the capability of critically analysing and solving problems of management in the poultry and rabbit production chains with emphasis on the techniques of animal rearing and feeding, improvement of animal welfare and management, reduction of breeding pollution and evaluation of product quality.
As regard SPECIAL ZOOTECHNICS 1, throughout the exam, students must demonstrate to have acquired a complete range of information to evaluate autonomously the morphological and functional traits of domestic animals.
As regard SPECIAL ZOOTECHNICS 2, questions will be about farming methods, production and consumption of food of animal origins. The lecturer evaluates:
- if the student acquired an appropriate knowledge in order to communicate and manage, together with the other farm operators, physiology and welfare of animals;
- if the student is able to manage modern farm methods;
- if the student is able to solve problems;
- if the student is able to manage and interrelate the complexity of notions regarding animal faming, productions and veterinary medicine.

Teaching period

Second semester

Objectives

The integrated course Special zootechnics is made up of the modules Rabbit and poultry production, Special zootechnics 1 and Special zootechnics 2. The module Rabbit and poultry production aims to provide knowledge on production chains and rearing systems for broiler chickens, laying hens and meat rabbits. The management of reproductive and growth phases, the nutritional requirements and feeding techniques for poultry and rabbit species and the different productive categories will be discussed in relation to animal welfare, product quality and environmental impact. By means of classroom lessons, seminars and technical visits, the student will acquire the knowledge of digestive physiology and nutritive requirements, and will be able to organize the rearing cycles, to monitor the productive efficiency, to cover the requirements of production factors and to manage the reproductive and growing phases.
The module “Special zootechics 1” is about morphological and functional evaluation of domestic animals, and farm hygiene. Topics presented in the course will be useful for students to acquire the knowledge to perform the morphological evaluation of domestic animal and the management of farm hygiene at the field level. In addition, students will learn to search the right documents, both traditional and electronic ones, regarding animal farming.
The course aims to provide to the students all the useful information to study farming methods and animal productions.
The aim of the module “Special zootechnics 2” is to provide theoretical and practical skills about farming technologies of livestock species. Skills will be suitable for the students to pursue economic, productive, environmental and welfare improvement of farms.
Teaching activities aim to provide to the students skills about:
- reproductive management of dairy and beef cattle, pigs, sheep and goats;
- productive evaluation of the species above mentioned;
- technologies and biotechnologies regarding animal science;
- the effects of animal farming methods on the environment, animal welfare and quality of products;
- solving problems regarding animal farming.

Contents

As regard the module POULTRY AND FISH PRODUCTION - Rabbit breeding - Genetics and selection. Breeds. Industrial crossroads. Hybrids. Anatomy and physiology of the digestive system. Ciecotrophy. Estrous cycle. Induced ovulation. Lactation. Breeding of breeders. Management of the male. Sexual maturity and genetic type. Habitat. Management of the female. Sexual receptivity. Insemination technique. Order of delivery. Lactation. Pseudopregnancy. Body status. strategies to improve reproductive performance. Hormonal interventions. Biostimulation. Food programs. Luminous programs. Male effect. Reproductive rhythms. Breeding in the colony of the mares. Breeding technology. Hygienic-environmental factors. Cycled breeding system. Nutrition. Compound feed and feeding of different production categories. Feeding of young rabbits. Energy deficit. Feeding the growing rabbit. Feeding of breeding males. Meat quality. Effects of production factors on meat quality.
Aviculture - Evolution and description of the poultry sector. Genetics and selection. Breeds. Commercial hybrids. Anatomy and physiology. Artificial fertilization. Light program. Breeding techniques. Intensive breeding. Environmental conditioning. Breeding of breeding chickens (Production of hatching eggs). Nutrition. Microclimate. Breeding the laying hen (Production of eggs for consumption). Cages for laying hens. Artificial incubation. Breeding of broilers. Slaughter and refrigeration. Composition and nutritional value of chicken meat. The egg. Composition. Conservation. Hygiene and prophylaxis in poultry farms.
As regard the module SPECIAL ZOOTECHNICS 1 - Topics: body measurements and indices; morphological, functional and constitutional types. Parts and regions of the body. Animal mechanics: statics and kinematics; positions; plumb lines and defects; on site movements and containment methods; backward and forward movements; gaits and defects of gaits. Coats and distinctive markings. Age estimation in domestic animals. Identification of animals. Morphological and functional evaluation of domestic animals. Farm, coat and hoof hygiene.
As regard the module SPECIAL ZOOTECHNICS 2 –
World numerousness and diffusion of livestock.
Farm economics.
Farming systems: extensive vs intensive.
Farming methods for cattle, pigs, sheep and goats.
For each of the above mentioned species: farming of newborn, replacement and adult animals; evaluation and improvement of productive and reproductive efficiency. Farm buildings. Milk composition and the causes of its variation. Production and consumption of cow, sheep and goat milk. Production and consumption of meat from cattle, pig, sheep and goat species. Slaughtering and dressing percent; meat production; evaluation and ranking of carcasses.

Recommended Bibliography

POULTRY AND FISH PRODUCTION - Silvia Cerolini, Margherita Marzoni, Isabella Romboli, Achille Schiavone, Luisa Zaniboni (Editors), Avicoltura e Coniglicoltura. Milano: Point Vétérinaire Italie, 2008.
SPECIAL ZOOTECHNICS 1 - Teaching materials: presentations of lectures and documents provided by the teacher (PowerPoint and PDF files).
N.B.: presentations of lectures should be considered as a summary of the course and they are intended as a guideline for exam preparation.
SPECIAL ZOOTECHNICS 2 – Books:
BITTANTE G. et al.: Tecniche di produzione animale - Liviana Editrice (per i capitoli inerenti la produzione e il consumo dei prodotti di origine animale.
MONETTI P.G.: Appunti di bovinicoltura - Cristiano Giraldi Editore.
MONETTI P.G.: Appunti di bovinicoltura: produzione della carne - Cristiano Giraldi Editore.
MONETTI P.G.: Appunti di suinicoltura - Cristiano Giraldi Editore.
BALDELLI E.: Ovinicoltura pratica bioecologica - Ed agricole.
Other sources:
Internet websites about live animals and animal productions, e.g. FAOSTAT.
Handbook about farming of sheep and goats published by the Asso.Na.Pa (National Association of sheep and goat breeders).

Teaching Methods

As regard POULTRY AND FISH PRODUCTION, the module will consist of classroom teaching which will provide students with theoretical knowledge and main instruments to get skills in the poultry and rabbit chains. The practical activities will consist of technical visits of model poultry and rabbit farms to analyse in field the management techniques and the problems of farms besides understanding their economical and productive dimension.
As regard SPECIAL ZOOTECHNICS 1, the module is made up of theoretical lectures held in the classroom and practical lectures with live animals and anatomical parts. The lecturer discusses with students about the theoretical topics, which are later performed by the students during the practical lecturer, the so.called “hands-on activities”.
As regard SPECIAL ZOOTECHNICS 2, the module is made up of theoretical lectures held in the classroom, 44 hours, and practical lectures at the farms and laboratories, 22 hours. Theoretical lectures are organized in serial groups of students. Theoretical and practical lectures are based on the interaction between the lecturer, with technical assistants at the farms and laboratories, and the students. In order to attend properly the practical lecturer, students are encouraged to attend previously the theoretical lectures regarding the same topic.

Contacts/More Information

POULTRY AND FISH PRODUCTION – Consultation must be requested by e-mail (marongiu@uniss.it).
SPECIAL ZOOTECHNICS 1 - The lecturer is available to provide supplementary information, also in English for foreign students. Lectures’ presentations are available also in English.
Except when involved in other teaching and research activities, the lecturer is available from Monday to Friday. Consultation must be requested by phone (079 229509) or e-mail (pazzola@uniss.it).
SPECIAL ZOOTECHNICS 1 - The lecturer is available to provide supplementary information, from Monday to Friday. Consultation must be requested by e-mail (gmvacca@uniss.it) or phone (079 229442).

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