Download Discuss the nutritional requirements of small animals including

Discuss the nutritional requirements
of small animals including deficiency
symptoms and functions
Objective 6.01
Definitions
• Nutrition- process by which animals receive a
proper and balanced food and water ration so it
can grow, maintain its body, reproduce, and
perform
• Nutrient- substance or part of feedstuff that is
necessary for an organism to live and grow
– Also known as a single group of foods of the same
general chemical composition that supports
animal life
• Required nutrients include water,
carbohydrates, fat, protein, minerals, and
vitamins
There are six basic nutrients
• Water- Most important nutrient!
– Animals can go without food for several
days, but they need water because it is
vital for proper body functions and makes
up 55-65% of an animal’s body.
– Dissolves and transports other nutrients,
aids in digestion, and carries waste from
the body
– Regulates body temperature and supports
breathing (respiration)
Six basic nutrients
• Proteins- Complex nutrients composed of
carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen
– Develop and repairing body organs and
tissues ex.: muscles, nerves, skin, hair,
hooves, and feathers
– Important in the reproduction process of
the developing fetus, transmitting DNA,
and development of young
Six basic nutrients
• Carbohydrates- Important in converting of food into energy.
Carbohydrates are made up of chemical elements carbon,
hydrogen, and oxygen
– Supports breathing, digesting, etc., stores fat, and produces heat for
body warmth
– Types of carbohydrates- sugars, starch, fiber
• Fats-Contain the same chemical elements of carbon,
hydrogen, and oxygen as carbohydrates but different
combinations
– Provides energy- contain 2.25 times more energy as an
equal amount of protein and carbohydrates
– Aid in absorbing fat-soluble vitamins and provides the
essential fatty acids needed in an animal’s diet
Six basic nutrients
• Vitamins- Organic substances designated by the letters A, B,
C, D, E, and K. Needed for specific biochemical reactions
– Needed in very small amounts
– Needed for regulating the digestive system, absorption, and
metabolism
• Minerals- Minerals supply the material for building the
skeleton and producing regulators such as enzymes and
hormones. Divided into 2 groups
– Macro-minerals-Seven major minerals needed in largest
quantity and most likely lacking in the ration
– Micro-minerals-Nine trace minerals that are only needed in
small amounts
Symptoms of nutrient deficiency
• Slow growth is a common symptom of almost all nutrient deficiencies
• Water deficiency- body becomes overheated, and a slowdown in normal
body functions occurs
• Protein deficiency- normal growth development and repairing of body
organs ex: muscles, nerves, skin, hair, hooves, and feathers suffers. Protein
deficiency may result in: anorexia, anemia, edema, slow growth rate, low
birth weight of young, lower milk production, and decreased feed
efficiency
• Carbohydrates- lack of energy, normal body functions, loss of body heat
• Fats deficiency- providing energy, aiding in absorption of fat-soluble
vitamins
• Vitamin deficiency- various body functions will suffer when vitamins are
lacking
• Mineral deficiency may cause low rate of gains, feed inefficiency,
decreased reproduction, decrease in milk production, and production of
meat, milk, eggs, and wool