ABSTRACT
In our quest for sustenance in the form of protein food, we have evolved from hunter to producer, through individual to communal farmer, and come to rely upon complex massproduction animal husbandry practices in order to supply a large percentage of our protein foods. Sophisticated animal husbandry practices are necessary for modern-day civiliza tions to prosper and flourish. Such operations involve large numbers of animals raised simultaneously in high-density populations under carefully controlled conditions. Ideal environmental conditions that include scientifically formulated feeds and strict medical regimes serve to produce high-quality, uniform products. In addition, high-density popula tions, or confined animals, minimizes the ability of the animals to move about, resulting in improved feed conversion. The most totally integrated mass-production operations are
evidenced in the poultry and aquaculture industries, with swine and bovine production being less integrated. Young animals or hatchlings may be supplied as feeder stock to individual operations in which they are fattened for market or used for egg production. Although the individual animals may come from multiple local producers, they are fat tened and maintained under exacting conditions.
