Introduction to zootechnics

Introduction to zootechnics

Animal production is a set of scientific disciplines (genetics, nutrition, ecology, ethology, ethnography, ...) studying the conditions and methods of breeding and reproduction of domestic animals (livestock and pets) as well as the improvement of their breeds.


The course of initiation to animal production reviews the racial variety within the diverse species of domestic animals. For farm animals (horses, ruminants, pigs, poultry, rabbits), the composition of the livestock in Belgium and France serves as a reference. For pets (dogs, cats), breeds are presented by group by following the classification of the canine and feline international federations.


This course also directs the attention to the variations that exist between each animal of the same breed. A method is proposed to judge each animal individually about its characteristics, compared to its breed standard or its use. Usual identification methods of horses and cattle are described.

Professional immersion in animal environment

take a look at https://www.fmv.uliege.be/cms/c_4751137/fr/fmv-stages-d-immersion-en-milieu-animalier-sima

Introduction to zootechnics

The students will be able to:

• supply the essential elements allowing to define, for studied domestic animals, the breed about which they belong and to know the specificities of their use;
• provide some notions of animal production which are essential to any veterinarian doctor;
• recognise the species and the breed of a domestic animal based on a picture.
• estimate the age of an animal by using morphological and particularly dental characteristics;
• complete the identification of a horse;
• judge the main skills and defects of an animal according to its use by man.

Introduction to zootechnics

Basics knowledge of anatomy and physiology

Introduction to zootechnics

Face-to-face learning consisting of theoretical (34h) and practical (16h) courses.

Introduction to zootechnics

The course and the written exam will be given face-to-face! However, depending on the sanitary conditions, the courses and exams will be adapted and could be given online.

Introduction to zootechnics

PowerPoint presentations are available on eCampus (in French).

Introduction to zootechnics

Any session :

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )

- Remote

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred in-person


Additional information:

The examination is organized to verify the level of knowledge, understanding, and the ability to integrate the different parts of the course.
The examinations are written examinations (open questions and/or multiple-choice questions) covering the entire course content (PowerPoint presentations and multimedia materials (videos, practicals,... )).
The theoretical part represents 2/3 of the final grade and the practical part, 1/3 of the final grade.
If the day before the deliberation, the documents attesting the completion of the two SIMA internships have not reached the students' secretariat, a grade of absence will be taken as the final grade.

Some tests will be organized during the practicals and will be taken into account for about 20% of the practicals final grade.
An unjustified absence at the practicals will forbid the student to present the theoretical and practical examination in the 1st session.
The success of the course is at 10.00/20, and the grades below 10.00/20 will not be rounded up.

Introduction to zootechnics

Prof Jean-François CABARAUX
Email: jfcabaraux@uliege.be

Professional immersion in animal environment

Prof Marc VANDENHEEDE
Email: marc.vandenheede@uliege.be