Right now, I’m actively pursuing a career as an animal scientist, and honestly, it’s been a really interesting journey so far. I’ve always had a natural interest in animals — not just because they’re fun to watch or care for, but because I’m genuinely curious about how they grow, why they behave the way they do, and how we can manage them better, especially when it comes to farm animals. This career path is teaching me that there’s so much more to animal science than just feeding and keeping animals alive. It’s a whole world of learning how to make sure animals are healthy, productive, and comfortable — and I’m here for it.
One of the core areas I’ve been studying is animal nutrition, and I’ve come to realize that feeding animals is both a science and an art. It’s not just about throwing grass to goats or corn to chickens — you have to actually understand their nutritional needs at different stages of life. A goat that’s still growing won’t need the same feed as a pregnant one, and a broiler chicken raised for meat has different requirements from a laying hen. Getting the balance right can make the difference between a healthy, productive animal and one that’s constantly struggling. It’s made me respect farmers a lot more, because proper feeding is serious work.
Another area I’ve been learning about is animal breeding and genetics. Before now, I used to think breeding animals was just about letting the males and females mix and do their thing, but there’s a whole science behind it. If you want stronger animals, better milk production, or even disease resistance, you have to carefully select which animals breed and which ones don’t. It’s about improving future generations, not just making sure you have new babies running around.
Animal health and diseases is another part of the training that’s in this field. Animals can’t tell you when they feel sick, so you have to know the signs and symptoms to watch out for. From common infections to nutritional deficiencies, I’m learning how to spot problems early and take action before they get serious. Prevention is always better (and cheaper) than treatment, so disease management is a big deal in animal science.
I’ve also been diving into animal physiology, which is basically understanding how animals’ bodies work — from digestion to reproduction to how they handle stress and heat. It’s actually fascinating to learn how every little thing we do, from feeding to housing, affects what’s happening inside their bodies.
One aspect I really enjoy is animal behavior and welfare. Animals are constantly communicating, even if it’s not with words. Whether it’s a goat jumping on things, a rabbit thumping its foot, or a hen hiding in a corner, all these behaviors mean something. Learning to understand their body language helps me know when they’re comfortable, stressed, sick, or just being themselves. It’s also made me more passionate about ensuring animals are treated well, whether they’re on a farm, in a zoo, or even as pets.
Finally, there’s livestock production systems, which is basically tying everything together — how to manage an entire farm, from feeding to housing to record keeping. It’s one thing to know how to care for animals, but if you can’t make the farm run smoothly and profitably, you’re missing a big part of the picture.
Pursuing this career has actually been a blend of science, hands-on experience, and a lot of learning from trial and error. But I’m enjoying every bit of it, and I’m excited to see where it takes me.
Thanks for reading.