Livestock rearing is an important livelihood activity performed throughout India. Good housing and proper hygiene is an integral part of human and animal welfare. The World Health Organization defines hygiene as, “conditions and practices that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases.” The overall aim of animal hygiene is to keep animals healthy and protect them from all factors that can impair their health, well- being and production. Diseases are not caused by a specific infectious agent but by a number of environmental factors such as inadequate housing, poor air quality, unhygienic/ unsuitable feeding, bad handling, insufficient quarantine and biosecurity measures (cleaning and disinfecting).

Animal housing in any system (large scale, small scale or backyard) of livestock rearing is to be designed in such a way that it allows optimum standards of hygiene and comfort, protect them from all kinds of weather conditions and harsh climate. Overcrowding of animals is detrimental for their well- being and must be avoided, a safe distance between animal housing area and human residential area is mandatory. For a good shelter, sufficient water availability, sunlight and efficient drainage is vital as livestock are exposed to the challenge of potential pathogens in their sheds, pens, brooders etc. These pathogens are often brought from outside by wind (viral agents can travel a great distance through air), dust (Q fever, brucellosis, tuberculosis), vectors (mosquitoes, lice, ticks, fleas,) etc. Improper ventilation is injurious to the animal as stagnant air, dust, condensation of water on surface, harmful gas, microbes etc. can exacerbate respiratory and enteric diseases, mastitis and other illnesses. Therefore, proper ventilation and dry surroundings is imperative.

Another major aspect of hygiene in livestock production involves inculcating hygienic feeding practices, as feed provides direct entry of entities. It is essential for persons in charge of an animal or farm to maintain good personal hygiene such as washing hands and feet with warm, soapy water or disinfectants before entry in animal shelter because loads of pathogens having zoonotic potential can be transferred from human to animals. The utensils and equipment used in animal feeding and collection of animal food products such as milk, eggs must be clean and sterilized with hot water or other needful agents. Poor feed storage practices deteriorates feed quality and is harmful to animal health, this can be avoided by making sure that the feed quality is acceptable and storage places are hygienic, dry and free from rodent, insect, or pest. Applying pest control protocols will help reduce insect and pest related diseases.

Lastly, Routine examination of animals by a veterinarian is cardinal and must be consulted for vaccination against prevalent diseases in the area. In case of meat producing animals, when suitable slaughter age is attained, animals are to be handled with hygienic and safe slaughter practices to avoid contamination. Prioritize both ante mortem and postmortem care as stress, injury, discomfort and improper slaughter methods can affect the meat quality. In case of sudden death or death due to disease, the carcass of animal should be carefully buried or incinerated. Following these will not only help avoid bacterial, viral, parasitic infections and related illness in animals, it will also protect people from numerous zoonotic diseases and thus resulting in a healthy community/ population along with thriving livestock. Proper hygiene is also fundamental for bridging the demand- supply gap and hence encouraged.