Husbandry - Diet And Feeding Flashcards
Which two food groups are main energy sources? What are the levels of these in the diets of herbivores and carnivores?
Carbohydrates lipids
Herbivores - high carbohydrates, low lipid
Carnivore - low carbohydrate, high lipid
Adults can only absorb monosaccharides in their SI. What is different about the permeability of neonates’ SI?
Can absorb larger molecules e.g. lactose
And immunoglobulins in first 12 hours of life
What is crude fibre?
A measure of indigestible carbohydrates
What is the neutral detergent fibre?
Different % of components in a plant cell wall
What is the acid detergent fibre?
The least digestible portion of a forage
What is fermentable metabolisable energy?
The % of metabolisable energy potentially available for the rumen
What are complex carbs broken down to?
Simple carbs —> pyruvate
In a high fibre diet, how much lactate is formed? How much rumination?
Very little
Lots of rumination
Saliva as a buffer to neutralise acids
In a high starch diet, how fast is fermentation? What are the end products?
Very fast
VFAs, more lactate
Why are proteins needed in the diet? Where are they absorbed?
For AAs
Small intestine
What is crude protein? How is it measured?
Total protein
By the nitrogen content
Why do ruminants require little protein in their diets?
Microflora in rumen synthesise AAs from non-protein nitrogen’s
What affects the rate of protein metabolism in ruminants?
The availability of non-protein nitrogen
In ruminants, if the protein is larger than energy requirements, why can’t the microbes do effective protein synthesis?
Build up of ammonium ions prevent synthesis
Which animals graze the most? (In order)
Horses
Cattle
Sheep
Goats
What are leys? What are the 3 different types?
Large areas of grassland
Temporary, permanent pasture, natural grassland
What are temporary leys?
Areas of grassland that are reseeded every few years
Animals moved regularly
What are permanent pastures?
Areas of grassland e.g. upland/hills with a lower yield and reduced fertilisation
What are natural grasslands?
Areas of grass that are upland/hilly and meadows
What elements/compounds can be used for fertilisers?
Na, K, CaCO3, P
What are the consequences of over and under grazing?
Over - soil exposure, weed growth
Under - length prevents sunlight
What is the ‘set stock’ method of feeding?
Animals have access to the needed amount of food for several months
What is the strip grazing method of feeding?
Animals have access to what they need to eat over 24hrs
What is the zero grazing method of feeding?
Grass is cut daily and fed indoors
How many days of drying does hay require?
4
What is an advantage of haylage?
It has little dust
What are the disadvantages of grass silage?
Acidic, poor fermentation, fungal growth
What is a disadvantage of dried grass e.g. alfalfa?
Expensive
How long do microflora need to adapt to new foods?
2-3 weeks
What are the classifications of animal feeds?
Roughages/forages - can be wet of dry
Energy/protein concentrates e.g. cereals
What are the advantages and disadvantages of cereals?
High in carbs, P, vitamin B1 and E
Low in protein, Ca, vitamins A & D
What are the 3 ways cereals can be treated?
Cold - crushed/ground
Hot - steamed/hot Pelletier
Chemical - softened with NaOh
What are examples of protein concentrates?
Oil seeds, legumes, milk products, single cells, non-protein nitrogen
What are the common errors with animal feeds?
Storage Mould Oxidation Contamination Wrong feed/ratios
What 4 things need considering when working out a diet?
Nutritional requirements
Chemical composition
Appetite
Cost
Production systems often feed with an ad libitum system. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
Profit is generally increased as feed is increased
Obesity, too fast growth, cannot be monitored
Pearson’s square can be used to work out what type of feeds?
Dry matter
How much water does an animal need?
2ml/kg/hour
What is the DMI for sheep, cattle/horses, pigs?
2%
3%
4%
Of body weight
