Domestication of
Farm Animals
For:
ADVS 1110
Introduction to Animal Science
Domestication: Terminology

Wild Animal:
 An
animal not genetically altered by ‘artificial
selection’ for use by humans.

Tame Wild Animal:
A
wild animal that, through intervention of man, has
adapted behaviorally so as to be traceable and useful
to humans.
Domestication: Terminology

Exotic Animal:
A
wild animal belonging to a species whose historic
native range lies totally outside Canada and the
United States and/or its territories.

Domestic Animal:
 An
animal that has been genetically altered from the
original wild species for use by humans through the
agency of ‘artificial selection’.
Domestication: Terminology

Feral Animal:
A
domestic animal that lives in the wild with no human
assistance.

Feral Population:
A
reproducing group of feral animals.
Domestication: Terminology

Breed:
A
population of domestic animals, the individuals of
which may vary within defined phenotypic and genotypic
limits.
 When mated among themselves, the offspring produced
are also within the original limits.
 Breeds generally have an organization or association of
breeders, who generally breed their animals according
to a stated conceptual standard.
Domestication: Terminology

Variety:
A
variety is used in some species to designate groups
of animals within a breed that have shared
morphological (structural) traits, such as coat types,
comb types, patterns, and the presence or absences
of horns.
 A common term utilized with chickens and turkeys.
Domestication: Terminology

Strain:
A
sub-population of a breed or a variety that has unique
ancestral similarities or a restricted phenotypic range as
compared to the breed variety as a whole.

Landrace:
A
population of domesticated animals locally selected
and used and generally bred within itself.
 A landrace tends to vary within itself somewhat more
than does a breed and tends to not have organized
breeders or a breed standard.
Domestication

Domestication by D. Webster:
 To adapt an animal or plant to life in an intimate
association with and to the advantage of man or another
species, by modifying growth and traits through provision
of food, protection from enemies, and selective (artificial
selection) breeding during generations of living in
association and often to the extent that the domesticated
forms loses the ability to survive in nature.
Domestication

Domestication by R. Bennett, “Man and Earth’s
Ecosystems”:
 ● A domesticated plant or animal is one that people
have consciously taken into the cultural context of
their living space for any purpose whatsoever.
A Domesticated Animal:

The animal is valued and there are clear purposes for
which it is kept.

The animal’s breeding is subject to human control.

The animal’s survival depends, whether voluntary or not,
upon humans.

The animal’s behavior (psychology) is changed in
domestication.

Morphological characteristics have appeared in the
individuals of the domestic species which occur rarely if
at all in the wild.
The Process of Domestication
WILD
TAME
?
FERAL
DOMESTIC
BREED
The Process of Domestication
Voluntary Symbiotic Association Based on Guest-Host
Relationship:
Exploitation by the Guest
(Species)
Scavenging
Robbing
Parasitism
Exploitation by the Host
(Man)
Feeding
Taming
Domestication
The Process of Artificial Selection
Domesticated
Animal
Breed
Variety
Strain
Landrace
Chronological Development
of
Common Domestic Animal
Species
Specie: Dog




When: 12,000-14,000 B.P. (Before Present)
Where: Old & New World
Why: Pet, Companion
From: Wolf or Jackal
Specie: Sheep




When: 9,000-10,700 B.P.
Where: Old World
Why: Food, Milk & Clothing
From: European Mufflon & Asiatic Urial
Specie: Goat




When: 8,500-9,000 B.P.
Where: Old World
Why: Food, Milk & Clothing
From: Wild Goat
Specie: Cattle




When: 6,000-6,500 B.P.
Where: Old World
Why: Religious Reasons
From: Auroch
Specie: Pig




When: 8,000-9,000 B.P.
Where: Old World
Why: Food & Sport
From: European Wild Boar
Specie: Horse




When: 4,000-5,000 B.P.
Where: Old World
Why: Transport & Warfare
From: Wild Horse
Specie: Chicken




When: 5,000-5,500 B.P.
Where: India, Sumatra & Java
Why: Cockfights, Show, Food, Religion
From: Jungle Fowl
Animal Domestication: Summary



Without the domestication of wild animals by humans,
the human race most likely wouldn’t have survived.
Today’s sustainable availability of animal products and
their provision of food, clothing, and shelter in some
cultures is essential for the future of humankind.
Responsible breeding and husbandry are mandatory if
the global growth is to survive.
This is what makes our domestic
animals valuable.
The End
Questions?