Breeding of Small Animals in Urban and Rural Homes in the State of Alagoas, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the breeding of domestic animals in households of Alagoas-BR during the pandemic.   Theoretical Reference: Zootechnology is the science that aims to harness the potential of domestic animals, with the purpose of exploiting them rationally as a source of food and other purposes with humans, adapting animals to the creative environment and thus harnessing them for nutritional and economic purposes. Domestic animals, in turn, are of great importance in society, from those intended for human consumption, as well as those tutored for domestic companionship and other purposes such as accompanying persons with special needs.   Method: The search was performed by collecting data, constituting a quantitative search, through a questionnaire on Google Forms. The study's actors were students from the ECSC-UFAL. Through the answers, it was identified that the majority of the participants corresponded to students of the Zootechny course.   Results: The majority of respondents reside in the urban area, being 82.5% residents of houses. Of the total, 42.6% stated that they had as monthly income per capita up to 1.5 minimum wages. Twelve types of animals were cited and 72.1% of the participants did not start breeding a new animal during the pandemic, of the 27.9%, most of the animals were obtained by adoption. With the main reason being financial, 5 of the interviewees claimed that they had to donate the animal during the pandemic. Eight interviewees raise animals for consumption, including cattle, chickens, pigs, sheep and goats. Only 7.7% sought the help of a zootechnician to assist in the rearing of these animals. However, even being a low percentage, it is understood that all participants know the role of the zootechnician in animal breeding.   Implications of research: For the professional practice of the zootechnician, it is indispensable to have a holistic understanding of all the factors and phenomena around him. This perception begins in his education as a student and his experiences and experiences contribute to the result (professional activity).   Originality/value: The results presented here as the result of the research deal with unprecedented and relevant data for studies especially within the area of agrarian and related sciences, since it raises perceptions of students as to their course, as well as these actors tend to represent their understandings to the external public. It also implies the need for a better understanding of the importance of domestic animals going beyond breeding for consumption and/or simple companionship to guardians.