raising an animal oneself; keeping an animal by oneself
Refers to personally raising or keeping an animal, as opposed to having someone else do it. Often used in contexts like pet care or livestock.
A dog raised by oneself is very friendly.
He collects eggs from the chickens he raises himself.
Compound of 手 (te, 'hand; oneself') and 飼い (kai, 'raising, keeping'), literally 'hand-raising'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word transparently means raising an animal by one's own hand.