ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

Integrated educational activity

Course Sheet

Academic Year of enrolment:

2022/2023

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:

110

Prerequisites:

POULTRY AND RABBIT PRODUCTION - Basic knowledge of mathematics, chemistry and biochemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology of animals.
SPECIAL ZOOTECHNICS 1 - Basic notions about anatomy, physiology and ethnology of animals.
SPECIAL ZOOTECHNICS 2 - Basic notions about physiology, ethnology and genetics of animals.

AF code:

40000737

Assessment Methods

Verification of learning:

POULTRY AND RABBIT PRODUCTION - Verification of learning will take place through afinal oral exam. The oral exam provides first of all communication skills, using the specific technical terminology of the various livestock sectors, both poultry and rabbit, as illustrated in the lectures and practical lessons. Students must demonstrate that they have acquired theoretical knowledge, critical and analytical skills of the poultry and rabbit supply chains with reference to breeding and feeding techniques, to the improvement of animal welfare and management of the environment and livestock waste, to the assessment of the quality of products. Also students must demonstrate that they have acquired:
- ability to acquire and analyze bibliographic and field data in relation to management and production results;
- critical ability to analyze production systems and identify deficits / deficiencies / strengths with reference to the housing system, farming techniques, nutrition, animal welfare, environment, and product quality;
- ability to propose solutions in relation to deficits in production systems;
- ability to work in a team;
- ability to communicate, present and adequately defend one's proposals with different tools, awareness of the importance of correct communication in the professional world.
The course aims to obtain the following Day One Competences:
1.8 Be able to review and evaluate literature and presentations critically.
1.13 Demonstrate an ability of lifelong learning and a commitment to learning and professional development. This includes recording and reflecting on professional experiences and taking measures to improve performance and competence.
1.16. Handle and restrain animal patients safely and with respect of the animal, and instruct others in helping the veterinarian perform these techniques.
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; to use this information in the study of farming methods; to be able to autonomously search for different sources for their study.
The course aims to the attainment of the following Day One Competences:
1.8 Be able to review and evaluate literature and presentations critically.
1.16 Handle and restrain animal patients safely and with respect of the animal, and instruct others in helping the veterinarian perform these techniques.
Oral exam. First question is about age estimation using anatomical preparations.
SPECIAL ZOOTECHNICS 2 – Oral exam. 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.
The course aims to the attainment of the following Day One Competences:
- 1.7 Understand the economic and emotional context in which the veterinarian operates.
- 1.10 Use their professional capabilities to contribute to the advancement of veterinary knowledge, in order to improve the quality of animal care and veterinary public health.
- 1.16 Handle and restrain animal patients safely and with respect of the animal and instruct others in helping the veterinarian perform these techniques.

Teaching period

Second semester

Objectives

POULTRY AND RABBIT PRODUCTION - The course 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.
SPECIAL ZOOTECHNICS 1 - The aim is 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 on traditional and electronic sources, regarding animal farming.
The course aims to provide to the students all the useful information to study farming methods and animal productions.
SPECIAL ZOOTECHNICS 2 – The aim of the course “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 student 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

POULTRY AND RABBIT 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.
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, containment methods and safety in animals’ handling; 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.
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, sheepand goat species. Slaughtering and dressing percent; meat production; evaluation and ranking of carcasses.

Recommended Bibliography

POULTRY AND RABBIT PRODUCTION - Book: 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). Recording of the online lectures are available on the app Microsoft Teams (team “Zootecnica speciale 1”). Teaching materials is available both on the moodle website (evet.uniss.it) and Microsoft Teams (team “Zootecnica speciale 1”).
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 – Recording of the online lectures are available on the app Microsoft Teams (team “Zootecnica speciale II”).
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

POULTRY AND RABBIT PRODUCTION - By means of classroom lessons and of guided technical visits to poultry and rabbit farms, the breeding cycles and the management of the reproductive and productive phases, as well as the feeding methods, are presented. These visits also represent an opportunity to learn and practice the correct methods of handling, sexing animals, A.I. Knowledge and skills to be acquired: the course aims to provide the student with specific basic knowledge on the production chains and on the breeding systems of broiler chicken, laying hen, breeding chicken and meat rabbit. For the different poultry and rabbit production categories, the housing methods, the management of the reproductive and production phases and the feeding techniques are presented with attention to animal welfare, product quality and respect for the environment. Through specific activities conducted by students and under the supervision of the teacher, the course also intends to guide the student in the acquisition of skills relating to: ability to collect and interpret useful data to formulate independent judgments; ability to communicate with specialist interlocutors and with different forms; ability to work in a team. At the end of the course, the student will be able to: design the standard organization of a farm for poultry or rabbit production; measure the production results of a poultry or rabbit farm; use the available data to identify any deficits in the management of structures and animals that may affect production and economic results.
The following variations possibly implemented due to the Covid-19 emergency phase: the lessons will be held on the Microsoft Teams platform in sync on the basis of the second semester timetable.
SPECIAL ZOOTECHNICS 1 - The course 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”. In case of face-to-face live lectures are not allowed because of health restrictions, lecture are synchronous events organized in a live virtual hall on the app Microsoft teams (team “Zootecnicaspeciale 1”). Lectures are recorded and later available on the same app.
SPECIAL ZOOTECHNICS 2 – The course 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 RABBIT PRODUCTION – Availability: from Monday to Friday on the Microsoft Teams platform by appointment via e-mail (marongiu@uniss.it).
The slides of the lessons are available on the eUniss-eLearning multimedia platform.
SPECIAL ZOOTECHNICS 1 - The lecturer is available to provide supplementary information, also in English for foreign students. Lectures’ presentations are available also in English. The lecturer is available for online meeting.
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 2 - 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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