What to Do With a Degree in Animal Husbandry?

Animal husbandry degree recipients work in zoos,on farms and in research labs.

Animal husbandry involves the breeding and care of animals. A career in this field can lead to working on a farm, inside a science research laboratory or at an animal clinic. While pondering what to do with a degree in animal husbandry, students complete course work that covers animal care, nutrition, genetics and anatomy. Animal husbandry specialists follow animal species' life cycles, from natural conception or artificial insemination all the way up to the animal's functional use, such as harvesting wool, meats and dairy products.

Farm

An animal husbandry worker in an agricultural setting carries the title of herdsman, animal caretaker, dairy farmer or feed manager. He feeds and waters animals that typically include cows, horses, pigs and chickens. He prepares these animals so their meats or other by-products can be sold on the market. Breeding specialists focus on producing superior animals with high yields of eggs, milk and other commodities. Median hourly wages range from $10.13 for farm workers to $13.02 for breeders, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Veterinary

Consumers expect high levels of services and expertise from veterinary technologists and technicians. These animal husbandry professionals diagnose and treat medical conditions in household pets like cats and dogs. This diagnostic work includes administering blood tests, gathering tissue samples and completing urinalyses. These employees vaccinate pets, and they sometimes euthanize injured or ill animals. A typical educational requirement is a two- to a four-year degree in animal sciences or veterinary technology. Median annual income is $28,900.

Laboratory

In research laboratories, veterinary technologists and technicians work under supervision of physicians or veterinarians in research facilities that include biomedical or diagnostic labs. They administer medications to animals and gather information on each creature's weight, appetite and diet. These animal husbandry specialists assist scientists in implementing research endeavors such as cloning and gene therapy. After their undergraduate work, research employees often secure certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science. Median annual income is $28,900.

Shelter

Animal lovers often find work in facilities that house animals, such as zoos, aquariums, boarding kennels and rescue shelters. Competition is fierce among animal husbandry specialists eager to work in zoos and aquariums because those facilities experience low employee turnover and have a limited number of positions. Veterinary technicians in animal shelters require great stamina because they deal with many abused and abandoned animals and must enforce local animal protection laws. These animal science specialists earn median yearly wages of $28,900.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition: Agricultural Workers, Other
• O Net Online: Summary Report for: 45-1011.08: First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Animal Husbandry and Animal Care Workers
• Education-Portal: Animal Husbandry Professional: Job Info for Students Considering a Career in Animal Husbandry
• Degree Directory: What Is Animal Husbandry?
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition: Veterinary Technologists and Technicians