a) Explain the term ration. (b) Name four classes of livestock feed and list two characteristics of each class. Distinguish between maintenance and producti...
Question 1 Report
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
Answer Details
(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).
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