While often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences between animal science and animal husbandry. Husbandry is the older term. While both involve studying the raising of animals for market, husbandry often focuses on breeding, while animal science may focus more on nurturing the animal to market weight.
To summarize the key distinctions:
| Feature | Animal Husbandry | Animal Science |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Primarily breeding and practical care | Broader, including science behind animal production |
| Emphasis | Practical management and traditional methods | Scientific principles and modern techniques |
| Example Activities | Breeding strategies, feeding techniques | Nutrition, genetics, physiology, and disease control |
In essence, you can think of animal husbandry as the art of raising animals, while animal science is the science behind it.
