Animal Nutrition
What is animal nutrition?

The dietary needs of domesticated and
captive wild animals
Why is animal nutrition important?

Animals need proper nutrition to support their
body requirements:
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–
–
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Growth
Maintenance
Work
Reproduction
Lactation
How are nutritional requirements
determined?

Digestive System
–

Feeding Type
–

Ruminant or Non-Ruminant
Carnivore, Omnivore or Herbivore
Body Requirements
How are nutritional requirements
met?

By feeding a balanced diet
What is a balanced diet?

A feeding program that:
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–
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Stimulates natural
feeding behaviors
Meets all nutritional
requirements
Is practical and
economical
How are natural feeding behaviors
stimulated?

Feeding diets that allow the
animal to obtain their food in a
similar manner to that in the wild
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–
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Where
How
Time
Type
How are nutritional requirements
met in the diet?

Providing a diet that consists of the 6 basic
nutrients in quantities appropriate for each
specific animal species
What are the 6 basic nutrients?






Carbohydrates
Fats and Oils
Proteins
Vitamins
Minerals
Water
What are carbohydrates?


Nutrients made up of sugars, starches &
cellulose
Provide energy
–

Largest source of energy in a diet
Source
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–
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Cereal grains (corn, wheat and oats)
Roughage (alfalfa hay, grasses and plants)
Sugars (Molasses to improve taste & reduce dust)
Corn
What are fats & oils?


Nutrients made up of triglycerides and fatty
acids
Provide energy
–
2.25 times the energy as carbohydrates



Extra carbs are stores as fat
Carry fat soluble vitamins
Source
–
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Grain & protein concentrates (corn & soybean oil)
Natural feed ingredients (meat, fish, nuts & eggs)
Soybean Oil
What are proteins?


Nutrients made up of amino acids
Provide materials for growth
–

Body tissues (muscles, skin & hair)
Source
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Plant (soybean, cottonseed & alfalfa meal)
Animal (meat & fish meal, dried milk)
Meat
What are vitamins?


Organic compounds, containing carbon, needed
in small amounts
Provide materials for body regulation
–
–

Water soluble (B-complex & C)
Fat soluble (A, D, E & K)
Source
–
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Pre-mix (powder added to feed, best way to provide)
Natural feed ingredients (fruits & vegetables)
Vitamin C
What are minerals?


Inorganic compounds, containing NO carbon,
needed in small amounts
Provide materials for growth and regulation
–
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
Bones, teeth & tissues (calcium & phosphorus)
Chemical homeostasis (iron, folic acid & copper)
Source
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Pre-mix (powder) or mineral block (separate from feed)
Natural feed ingredients (meat, milk, green vegetables)
Nature (soil & rocks)
Calcium
What is water?


The most important nutrient, essential for the
survival of all animals
Provides:
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
Hydration of body
Transport system for nutrients (dissolves & carries)
Source
–
Supplied separately from diet

From a clean well or plumbing
H2O
Nutrient Review

Carbohydrates
–
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Provide energy
Sources

Cereal Grains
–
Corn (most popular)
– Oats and Wheat

Roughages
–

Alfalfa Hay (high energy/fiber)
Sugars
–
Molasses (increases palatability *taste* and reduces dust)
Nutrient Review

Fats and Oils
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Provide energy

–
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2.25x more than carbohydrates
Carry fat soluble vitamins
Sources

Grain and protein concentrates
–

Vegetable oil
Natural sources
–
Meats, nuts and dairy products
Nutrient Review
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Proteins
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Provide amino acids for growth and development
Sources

Animal
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Meat, Bone and Fish meal
– Dried milk
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Plant
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Soybean and cottonseed meal
*The word meal is almost always after the protein
source *
Nutrient Review

Vitamins
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Regulate body functions
Designated by letters (A, B, C, D, E and K)
Sources

Premix
–

Most effective source
Natural sources
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Fruits and Vegetables
Nutrient Review

Minerals
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Regulate body functions
Provide growth of bones and tissues
Sources

Premix
–

Most certain source
Natural sources
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Meats, vegetables, rocks and soil
Nutrient Review
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Water
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Hydrate the body
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Makes up 40-80% of the body
Regulate body functions
Transport nutrients
Sources

Clean water sources