Feeding Animals Flashcards
Define ‘feed stuff’.
Any edible material that provides nutrients to animals, including grains, forages, protein sources, and supplements.
Define nutrients and name the 6 classes.
The chemical components in feed that are essential for the animal’s metabolism, growth, maintenance, and reproduction; proteins, carbs, fats, vitamins, minerals and water.
Define diet.
The total combination of feed stuffs given to an animal to meet its nutritional needs.
Define ration.
The specific amount of the diet provided to the animal over a specific time period, often daily.
Describe the key features of a mono gastric digestive system.
- Single-chambered stomach
- Limited fibre digestion
Describe the key features of a ruminant digestive system.
- Four-chambered stomach
- Microbial fermentation occurs in the rumen, allowing the breakdown of fibrous plant material.
Describe the key features of a handgun fermenter digestive system.
- Simple stomach, with fermentation occurring in the cecum and colon.
- Can digest some fibrous feeds through microbial action in the hindgut.
Compare ruminant and hindgut digestion.
- Hindgut not as efficient as ruminants at digesting fibre (no rumination).
- Hindgut less efficient use of microbial protein as fermentation after small intestine.
Define apparent digestibility.
Measures the proportion of a feed that is absorbed by the animal, often expressed as a percentage.
What factors influence digestibility?
- Feed composition
- Animal species and digestive system type
- Feed processing
- Animal health and age
- Feed additives
List common examples of water provision failures for domestic species.
- Inadequate quantity e.g. hot weather/ lactating animals
- Poor quality e.g. contaminated with bacteria/alage
- Improper temperature
- Inconsistent access e.g. blocked water sources, frozen
