a) Explain the term ration. (b) Name four classes of livestock feed and list two characteristics of each class. Distinguish between maintenance and producti...
a) Explain the term ration. (b) Name four classes of livestock feed and list two characteristics of each class. Distinguish between maintenance and production rations
(a) Ration
A ration is the total amount of feed (food) given to a farm animal in a period of 24 hours to meet its nutritional needs.
(b) Four classes of livestock feed and two characteristics of each
Class of feed
Characteristics
Basal (energy) feeds
(i) Rich in carbohydrates, supplying energy. (ii) Low in protein; examples are maize, guinea corn and cassava.
Protein supplements (concentrates)
(i) High in protein content. (ii) May be of plant origin (groundnut cake, soya bean) or animal origin (fish meal, blood meal).
Mineral supplements
(i) Supply minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. (ii) Given in small quantities; examples are bone meal, oyster shell and common salt.
Vitamin supplements
(i) Supply vitamins needed in small amounts. (ii) Prevent deficiency diseases; examples are cod-liver oil and premixes.
Difference between maintenance and production rations
A maintenance ration is the amount of feed needed to keep an animal alive and in good health, without any gain or loss in body weight and without any production. A production ration is the extra feed given, over and above the maintenance ration, to enable the animal to produce (grow, fatten, work, give milk, lay eggs or reproduce).
A ration is the total amount of feed (food) given to a farm animal in a period of 24 hours to meet its nutritional needs.
(b) Four classes of livestock feed and two characteristics of each
Class of feed
Characteristics
Basal (energy) feeds
(i) Rich in carbohydrates, supplying energy. (ii) Low in protein; examples are maize, guinea corn and cassava.
Protein supplements (concentrates)
(i) High in protein content. (ii) May be of plant origin (groundnut cake, soya bean) or animal origin (fish meal, blood meal).
Mineral supplements
(i) Supply minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. (ii) Given in small quantities; examples are bone meal, oyster shell and common salt.
Vitamin supplements
(i) Supply vitamins needed in small amounts. (ii) Prevent deficiency diseases; examples are cod-liver oil and premixes.
Difference between maintenance and production rations
A maintenance ration is the amount of feed needed to keep an animal alive and in good health, without any gain or loss in body weight and without any production. A production ration is the extra feed given, over and above the maintenance ration, to enable the animal to produce (grow, fatten, work, give milk, lay eggs or reproduce).