Animal Nutrition Final Review

What are three reasons antibiotics may be fed to food animals?

Disease prevention, disease treatment, growth promotion (now regulated).

Why is there a withdrawal period for animal drugs?

To ensure no harmful residues remain in meat or milk for human consumption.

Why should antibiotic use be reduced?

To prevent antibiotic resistance.

What are some alternatives to antibiotics for food animals?

Probiotics, prebiotics, essential oils, enzymes, organic acids.

What are examples of feed additives?

Ionophores, antioxidants, flavor enhancers.

How do carnivorous marine mammals like orcas hunt?

They use sharp teeth and hunt using sight/echolocation.

What do filter feeders like blue whales use to feed?

They use baleen plates to filter plankton from water.

What is the diet of manatees and their preferred habitat?

They eat aquatic plants and must live in warm water.

Why are marine mammals large?

To conserve heat and store energy.

What is the nutritional difference between broilers and layers?

Broilers require high energy/protein, while layers require higher calcium for eggshells.

What are common poultry feeds?

Corn, soybean meal, limestone, vitamins/minerals.

What is creep feed?

Special feed for young animals to promote early growth.

What is flushing in livestock nutrition?

Pre-breeding energy boost, often used for sheep.

What is steaming up in livestock nutrition?

Pre-calving energy boost, often used for dairy cows.

What do goats feed on as browsers?

They eat leaves and shrubs, while sheep prefer grasses.

Why do sheep need sulfur amino acids?

For wool production, specifically methionine and cysteine.

What is parturition?

The act of giving birth.

What is colostrum?

The first antibody-rich milk produced by mammals.

What is the function of the esophageal groove in young ruminants?

To direct milk to the abomasum.

What are the feeding stages of a beef animal?

Birth → Weaning → Backgrounding → Finishing → Slaughter.

How does the rumen develop in calves?

As calves age, the rumen grows, develops papillae, and begins fermentation.

What are the differences between pasture and confinement feeding?

Pasture leads to slower growth and healthier meat, while confinement results in faster gain and less exercise.

What is the difference between feedlot and grass-finished beef?

Feedlot beef is high-energy with marbled meat, while grass-finished beef is leaner with a stronger flavor.

What are the considerations for balancing a zoo diet?

Research natural diet, use NRC guidelines, consult experts.

How is zoo animal diet assessed?

By monitoring feed intake, body condition scoring, and fecal analysis.

What are zoo feeding considerations?

Natural feeding behavior and nutrient safety/balance.

What defines an omnivore?

An animal that eats both plants and animals.

What defines a carnivore?

An animal that primarily eats meat.

What are elements of sustainable pet food?

Use of by-products, insect protein, and local sourcing.

What are the pros and cons of a raw pet diet?

Raw diets carry a risk of pathogens.

What are concerns regarding vegan pet diets?

Difficult to balance, especially in cats.

What is a potential link with grain-free pet diets?

Potential link to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

What are risk factors for pet obesity?

Overfeeding, inactivity, neutering, and excessive treats.

Why has the use of fish meal and fish oil declined?

Because they are expensive and unsustainable.

Why are fish meals ideally used in aquaculture?

Because they provide high-quality protein with a good amino acid profile.

What does the P:E ratio stand for in nutrition?

Protein:Energy ratio used to optimize growth and efficiency.

What is colostrum in the context of dairy nutrition?

The antibody-rich first milk produced by lactating animals.

Why is it important for calves to receive colostrum within 24 hours?

Because the gut closes and absorption of antibodies declines afterwards.

What are the benefits of milk replacer?

Cost-effective, safer, and ensures consistent quality.

What is the nutritional difference between lactating and dry cows?

Lactating cows require high energy/protein, while dry cows focus on maintenance and disease prevention.

What are some common dairy cow diseases?

Ketosis, milk fever, acidosis, and displaced abomasum.

What happens to a dairy cow's body condition in early lactation?

They utilize body fat, experiences a weight drop after calving, then recover.

What is the progression of a pig's diet?

Milk → Creep feed → Grower → Finisher → Breeding diet.

How is excess nitrogen excreted by animals?

It is converted to urea and excreted in urine.

How is phytate phosphorus typically excreted?

In feces unless enzyme phytase is added.

What are methods to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus excretion?

Precision feeding and enzyme additives.