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

Meeting with the veterinary profession I

This teaching unit consists of a face-to-face meeting with field veterinarians from the Belgian Veterinary Professional Union. Various clinical practices (companion animals, horses, livestock, NACs) and a "vet without a sthéto" (research-industry) will answer students' questions about life as a vet, clinical disciplines, clients, working in a clinic, etc.

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.

Meeting with the veterinary profession I

This encounter with those involved in the profession will enable students to experience the day-to-day life of veterinary surgeons and to become aware of the socio-economic realities associated with the profession of practising veterinary surgeon.


It will also make students aware of the various career opportunities in the profession, both clinical and in research and industry.

Introduction to zootechnics

Basics knowledge of anatomy and physiology

Introduction to zootechnics

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

Meeting with the veterinary profession I

This is an afternoon of discussion with UPV vets (4 hours). Discussions with the vets will take the form of round tables, in a friendly atmosphere.

The activity is scheduled in the students' timetable and registered in CELCAT.

It is compulsory.

Introduction to zootechnics

Face-to-face course

Meeting with the veterinary profession I

Face-to-face course

Introduction to zootechnics

PowerPoint presentations and syllabus are available on eCampus (in French).

For those interested in furthering their knowledge of coat genetics, the book Equine color genetics (Fourth edition); ed. Sponenberg, D. P., & Bellone, R. (2017); Wiley Blackwell is available via the link: https://explore.lib.uliege.be/permalink/32ULG_INST/oao96e/alma9922466238802321

Introduction to zootechnics

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

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


Additional information:

multiple-choice questionnaire means multiple-choice questions and multiple-response questions

Out-of-session test(s)


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, multiple-choice questions and/or multiple-response questions) covering the entire course content and practiclas (Syllabus, 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.


A group work will be organized during the practicals and will be taken into account for about 10% 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.

Meeting with the veterinary profession I

Other : Compulsory attendance - no certificate assessment


Additional information:

There is no certificate assessment for this activity but the student's presence is compulsory to validate the activity. Attendance is a prerequisite for validation of the entire VETE2057- Introduction to zootechnics course.


Only a medical certificate or other official attestation will be taken into account in the event of absence.

If this is the case, the student will contact Vinciane Toppets (vtoppets@uliege.be), the activity coordinator, to arrange for compensatory work.

Introduction to zootechnics

Jean-François CABARAUX
Email: jfcabaraux@uliege.be

Professional immersion in animal environment

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

Meeting with the veterinary profession I

Vinciane Toppets (vtoppets@uliege.be)