Nutrition & Feeding

Nutrition Terms

Nutrition Process by which animals receive a proper and

balanced food and water ration so it can grow, maintain its body, reproduces, and perform.

Nutrient substance or part of feedstuff that is necessary for

an organism to live and grow. Also known as a single group of foods of the same

general chemical composition that supports animal life

Required nutrients include water, carbohydrates, fats, protein, minerals, and vitamins.

Six Basic Nutrients

Water Protein Carbohydrates Fats Vitamins Minerals

Water Most important nutrient Animals can go without

food for several days, but can only survive without water for ~3 days

Vital for proper body functions

Makes up 55-65% of an animal’s body

Purposes: Dissolves and

transports other nutrients

aids in digestion carries waste from the

body Regulates body

temperature and supports breathing

Protein

Complex nutrients composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen

Purpose: Develop and repairing

body organs and tissues (i.e.: muscles, nerves, skin, hair, hooves, and feathers)

Important in the reproduction process of the developing fetus, transmitting DNA, and development of young

Carbohydrates

Important in converting of food into energy

Carbohydrates are made up of chemical elements carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.

Types: sugars, starch, fiber

Purpose: Supports body functions,

breathing, digesting, etc. Stores fat, and produces

heat for body warmth

Fats

Contains the same chemical elements of C, H, & O as carbs, but in different combinations

Purpose: Provides energy▪ contains 2.25 times more

energy than carbs/protein Aid in absorbing fat

soluble vitamins Provide essential fatty

acids needed in an animal’s diet

Vitamins

Organic substances designated by the letters A, B, C, D, E, and K.

Needed for specific biochemical reactions.

Needed in very small amounts

Purpose: Needed for regulating

the digestive system, absorption, and metabolism

Minerals

Inorganic Purpose:

Supply the material for building bones, teeth, the skeleton

Producing body regulators such as enzymes and hormones. Minerals are divided into two

Divided into TWO groups1. Macro minerals▪ seven major minerals

needed in largest quantity▪ most likely lacking in the

ration2. Micro minerals▪ nine trace minerals that

are only needed in small amounts

Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms Slow Growth

Common w/ALL Water

Body becomes overheated Slow down in normal body

function Protein

Growth and repair of tissues suffers

Anorexia, anemia, edema; slow growth rate, low birth weight, lower milk production, decreased feed efficiency

Carbohydrate Lack of energy/body heat

Fat Lack of energy Absorption of fat-

soluble vitamins is affected

Vitamin Body functions are

affected Mineral

Lower rate of gain, feed inefficiency, decreased milk/egg/wool production, decreased reproduction,

Major Way Nutrients are used Maintenance

Rations high in carbohydrates and fats designed to keep animal constant with no gain or loss of weight.

Growth Rations high in energy and protein so as to increase the animal’s body size.

Reproduction ration A ration that contains the largest amount of protein, minerals, and vitamins

of any ration Reproduction rations improve conception rates and breeding ability for males

and females and are important for producing live, healthy offspring that have a good birth weight.

Lactation Rations for lactating (milk producing) females encourage large milk

production and are high in protein, calcium, and phosphorus (same nutrients contained in the milk).

Work and activity Rations need increased amounts of fats and carbohydrates to supply the

extra energy needed to perform (example: hunting dog chasing game).

Nutrition Terms

Diet Feed and water an animal receives Amount and type is based on: 1 – what

animal needs, 2 – what nutrients are in feed

Must be palatable Ration

Feed that contains right proportion of nutrients

“Balanced ration”

Feed Classification

Roughages Leaves & plants

Concentrates Recommended for

small animals b/c high in energy & protein

High Energy Diet▪ Corn, wheat, sorghum,

barley, rye, oats High Protein Diet▪ Soybean oil meal,

cottonseed oil meal, sunflower meal

Supplements If needed