The Department of Animal Production, formerly the Department of Nutrition and Animal Production, was established in 1996 following the split of the Department of Nutrition and Animal Production into two different departments. The departmental primary responsibilities are teaching, research and community services. The Department offers both Bachelor and Master's Degrees in Animal Production. Disciplines offered within the Department of Animal Production include nutrition, physiology, breeding and reproduction of farm animal species such as dairy cattle, sheep, goats and poultry. There are 226 students currently enrolled in the Department, out of which, 25 are in the master's program.
The department has twelve distinguished faculty members specialized in various areas of animal production. Scientists in this Department use modern techniques and focus on whole-animal biology and problems related to animal production in teaching, research and extension.
Graduates of the Department often find employment in the livestock industry of both the government and private sectors including the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Supply, Agriculture Cooperative organization, Agricultural Credit organization and other private sheep, cattle and poultry farms.
Community Services:
- Cooperation with Jordan Badia Research and Development Program.
- Cooperation with the General Corporation for the Protection of the Environment .
- Accreditation of private universities in Jordan.
- Workshops on technology for increasing poultry production.
- Participation with Jordan Institution for Standards and Metrology.
Research Activities:
Genetic improvement of Awassi sheep (EC-project).
Environmental aspects of early growth traits in Awassi sheep breed.
Estimation of milk yield in suckled Awassi sheep.
Source of variation and repeatability for body weight and litter size.
Evaluation of various protein sources for growing and finishing Awassi lambs.
Further studies on using vetch as a protein source for growing Awassi lambs.
Estrus synchronization to improve reproductive efficiency in Awassi sheep.
Effects of lasalocid, energy and protein levels on the performance of Awassi male lambs.
Nutritive value of alfalfa silage treated with different additives.
Libido testing and the effect of exposing sexually naive Awassi males to estrous females before breeding on sexual performance.
