Animal Foods and Nutrition Lecture Flashcards

Comprehensive flashcards covering animal nutrition, feed intake factors, protein and carbohydrate sources, additives, regulatory requirements, and feed manufacturing processes.

When designing feed for ruminants, which group's needs are considered first?

The rumen microorganisms.

What is the difference between palatability and acceptability in animal feed?

Palatability measures how well an animal likes a food (based on odor, texture, etc.), while acceptability indicates if the animal will ingest enough to meet its caloric requirements.

Why is feed particle size critical for ruminants?

Ruminants actively select for particle size and may not ruminate (regurgitate and chew cud) if the particle size is too small.

What determines the choice of an animal's diet with respect to nutrient balance?

The diet's caloric density (energy concentration).

What are the six essential nutrients mentioned in the text?

Water, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

How do food analysts measure the percentage of crude protein in a foodstuff?

By measuring its nitrogen content.

Which group of animals can use urea (non-protein nitrogen), and which cannot?

Ruminants can use urea; carnivores cannot.

What are the risks of feeding excess protein to dogs, cats, and cattle?

It can cause kidney problems in dogs and cats, and ammonia toxicity in cattle if fed excess urea.

Which specific protein ingredients are recommended for high biologic value?

Meat, fish meal ($55-60\%$ protein content), powdered whole eggs, and lactose-free casein (with $2\%$ methionine added).

What is the concern with feeding fiber to carnivores?

It must be minimal because it can lower digestibility and cause water retention in the feces.

What does the FDA acronym GRAS stand for?

Generally Recognized As Safe.

What are the primary functions of chemical preservatives in animal feed?

To retard spoilage, prevent rancidity, and help delay or prevent nutrient loss (particularly vitamin A and carotene).

How long has the government used antibiotic supplements to increase production in animals?

Since 1949.

How do antibiotics prevent the gut wall from thickening to improve nutrient absorption?

By inhibiting ammonia-producing bacteria; since ammonia is toxic, fewer toxins result in a thinner intestinal lining.

What are goitrogens?

Naturally occurring substances in some forages that produce swelling of the thyroid gland, depress growth, but may increase the rate of fattening.

What mineral is a popular additive for pig rations to boost growth response similarly to antibiotics?

Copper sulfate.

Which specific conditions in poultry are arsenic compounds used to treat?

Blackhead (fatal in turkeys) and coccidiosis (digestive disease in chickens).

What is the requirement for using medically important antibiotics in food animal species since 2017?

A Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) or a prescription.

What is the formula for calculating the caloric density of a food?

$$Caloric density = energy provided by each nutrient \times \text{the amount of that nutrient in the food}$$

How do extreme environmental temperatures affect an animal's caloric requirements?

Extreme cold increases requirements for heat production; high temperatures can also boost requirements because the body expends calories to keep cool and appetite may decrease.

What is the difference between concentrates and forages?

Concentrates are low-fiber, high-energy feeds; forages (roughage) are high-fiber, low-energy feeds.

What are the dry matter (DM) percentages for Hay, Haylage, Silage, and Green chop?

Hay is $90\%$ DM; Haylage is $45\%$ DM; Silage is $30\%$ DM; Green chop is $22.5\%$ DM.

What are the three forms of dry food production for pets?

Kibbles (baked and broken), meals (mixed dry ingredients), and expanded foods (extruded through a die at high temperatures).

What is the typical water content of canned food compared to dry food?

Canned food contains about $75\%$ water, while dry food contains about $9\%$.

What is Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP)?

Extruded soy flour mixed with red or brown coloring to resemble meat, found in gourmet-type canned foods.

What is the definition of 'adulterated food' according to the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act?

Food containing poisonous/dangerous substances, filthy/decomposed substances, prepared under unsanitary conditions, or containing diseased animal parts.

Which four nutrients must be listed as a 'guaranteed analysis' on animal feed packages by state law?

Minimum crude protein, minimum crude fat, maximum crude fiber, and maximum moisture.

In what order must ingredients be listed on pet food labels?

Descending order based on weight.

What is the main risk of supplementing an already balanced diet?

It can provide too many nutrients, causing nutrient excesses or secondary deficiencies/disease.