Effect of Diet and Physical Activity of Farm Animals on their Health and Reproductive Performance

Abstract Livestock production efficiency is to a large extent dependent on the health status and reproductive performance of the animals. Several factors are known to affect the vitality and reproductive capacity of farm animals, among them biological type, physical environment, and nutrition. Diet plays a major role in enhancing the efficiency of production in all animals. Energy and protein are the major nutrients required in the greatest amounts and should be the highest priority for optimizing reproduction and health in farm animals. Vitamins and minerals cannot be neglected either and must be balanced in the diet. There is also important evidence on the particular effects of physical activity on the health and reproductive capacity of livestock species. In farm animals, locomotion has been identified as a prerequisite for several behaviors. Physical activity is influenced by a wide variety of factors, for example, space per individual.