Large Animal Nutrition (condensed)

Rumen population

• bacteria, fungi, protozoa

• fermentation vat of GI

• produces acetate, propionate, & butyrate

Forage types

• grasses: higher fiber, moderate to low protein

• legumes: higher energy & protein

• use feed analysis to determine quality

Grains & by-products

• provide concentrated energy, protein, and/or fat in smaller volumes compared to forages

• used to balance nutrient needs without increasing bulk

Ruminant feed strategies (%)

• 1-2% BW in DMI for mature (1-4% for beef)

• 3-4% BW in DMI for growing/lactating

• 10-20% BW in milk volume for neonates, 10-20% BW in colostrum on the first day, 10% within 4 hours of birth

Dairy vs beef BMI

• dairy: 3.25-3.75/5

• beef: 5/9

Equine digestive system

• hindgut fermenters

• designed to eat small, frequent meals

Equine feeding

• forage/fiber should be main component of diet

• can handle higher lipid content than ruminants

  • fat supplementation can be useful for Equine Metabolic Syndrome

• need to balance minerals & vitamins - ration balancer most common supplement for horse

Equine BMI

• 4-5/9

Forage quality

• buy based on nutrient hay analysis (not color)

• always test for quality!

Equine senior feed

• usually a complete feed, can be sole diet intake in some animals

• easier to chew

How to feed horses

• weigh out grain (volume not accurate)

Equine Metabolic Syndrome

• monitor non-structural carbohydrates/starch - keep to less than 10-12%

Sheep nutrition

• grazers - shorter than cows

• capable of eating more concentrates

• sensitive to copper toxicity!

Goat nutrition

• browsers - eat high fibers (forage) & fewer concentrates

• monitor grain in males (urolithiasis) & pets

  • ammonium chloride can dissolve struvite stones

Swine nutrition

• monogastric omnivores

• lysine & methionine important amino acids

• fed mostly grain - get up to 300lbs at 6-8 months

Swine BMI

• 3/5

Poultry nutrition

• high calcium requirements for layers

• lysine & methionine important amino acids

• require grit for gizzard/proventriculus

Camelid nutrition

• psuedoruminants w/C1-3 stomach compartments

• require high fiber & Vitamin D

• risk of trichobezoars (hairballs) if forage scarce

• hard to judge BCS - ideal 3/5

Calcium:phosphorus ratio

• 2:1

Vitamins (eaten vs synthesized)

• A, D, & E eaten + sunlight exposure, can synthesize B, C, & K