- - AGRICULTURE CORE CURRICULUM - - (CLF3000) Advanced Core Cluster: ANIMAL SCIENCE (CLF3150) Unit Title: NUTRITION AND FEEDS ____________________________________________________________________________ (CLF3157) Topic: FEEDING REGIME Time Year(s) 2 hours 3 / 4 ____________________________________________________________________________ Topic Objectives: Upon completion of this lesson, the student will be able to: Learning Outcome #: (B-7) - Explain the importance of a consistent feeding regime and list possible metabolic disease problems which may occur due to sudden changes in the ration. (B-8) - Define "creep feeding" and explain its value in an animal's feeding regime. Special Materials and Equipment: Pictures or slides of animals showing the metabolic diseases discussed in lecture. Samples of typical creep feeds and feeds that may cause metabolic disorders. References: Ensminger, M.E. (1983). THE STOCKMAN'S HANDBOOK (6th ed.). Fridline, Clarance R., LIVESTOCK NUTRITION AND FEEDING. Evaluation: Oral quiz on pictures and feed samples or written quiz by instructor. TOPIC PRESENTATION: FEEDING REGIME A. Introduction 1. Proper care of livestock includes having some type of feeding schedule. This of course will depend on the type of livestock involved and the type of feed being utilized. B. Types of Feeding Regimes 1. Hand-feeding a. This method involves giving animals a certain amount of feed daily. 1) A small number of animals are involved. (A project animal for example.) 2) The animals are only being fed for a short time. During cold winter months, range cattle may be hand fed hay or supplements. 3) The disadvantages are that it is time consuming and labor intensive. 4) The advantages are that it allows daily inspection of stock, and less feed is wasted due to closer monitoring of feed consumption. 2. Self-feeding a. Livestock have feed before them at all times. 1) This is a practical method to use when feeding swine since they are simple stomached (monogastric) and cannot consume large amounts of feed at one time like ruminants. 2) Creep feeding is a method of self feeding where only young stock have access to a special ration. More rapid growth will result from creep feeding young calves, lambs, and pigs before weaning. 3) This method is used in feedlots where cattle are being fattened. To avoid metabolic disorders, cattle are usually started on a high fiber self-fed ration. 4) The disadvantages are that more equipment is needed, there may be more wastage of feed depending on the equipment used, and animal groupings can cause some to be "pushed" away from the feed by other more aggressive animals. 5) The advantages are less labor (lower costs) and improved weight gains. 3. Automatic Feeding a. Livestock are provided their ration by mechanically driven feeding equipment such as a self unloading silo or feed bunk. 1) Used most commonly where there are large numbers of animals to be fed such as in poultry production or a swine finishing operation. 2) The disadvantages include expensive equipment and the maintenance of the equipment. b. Individual computerized feeding has been used successfully at some dairies. 1) Each cow wears a specially coded (magnetic) neck tag that allows her to receive a designated amount of concentrate ration from an autofeeding device. 2) As the cow progresses through her production cycle the quality of food provided can be modified to provide optimum production and reduce feed waste. C. Importance of the Feeding Regime 1. Avoid metabolic diseases - inconsistencies in feeding and sudden changes in the types of feed provided often cause digestive disturbances. 2. More economical gains - animals on a regular feeding schedule will gain more consistently than livestock on a variable or inconsistent feeding regime. 3. Less feed wastage - when animals are fed properly according to a schedule they tend to eat more and waste less. D. Metabolic Diseases 1. When livestock are fed inconsistently, serious digestive distur- bances can result. Also, during different stages of production animals require different amounts and types of nutrients. Some metabolic diseases are described below: a. Bloat - seen in ruminant animals only. Recognized by a distention of the rumen on the left side in front of the hip. Other symptoms include respiratory distress and protrusion of the anus. There are 2 types of bloat: 1) Pasture Bloat- common on lush legume pasture, characterized as a "frothy" bloat, which may be caused by interaction of rumen microbes and plant proteins which cause a "foam" to build-up in the stomach and trap the rumen gases. 2) Feedlot Bloat- seen when ruminants are fed a high concen- trate, low roughage diet. High concentrate rations increase the numbers of slime producing bacteria which trap fermen- tation gas -- producing bloat. b. Colic - seen in horses. 1) May be caused by improper feeding, working, or watering. 2) Symptoms include excruciating pain, violent rolling, and kicking, profuse sweating, and either an increase in intestinal rumblings or none at all. In the earlier stages, often the horse will stand and stare at its side where the swelling and pain is located. c. Founder - seen in all hoofed animals. 1) May be caused by over-feeding of grain or a rapid change in feed. 2) Characterized by extreme pain, reluctance to move, and heat in and about the hooves. If neglected, chronic laminitis will develop, resulting in deformed hooves. Seen mostly in horses, particularly in ponies. 3) Results from an increase in blood flow to the hooves (which can not swell up), therefore the pressure changes the bone position within the hoof. d. Ketosis - seen in ruminant animals. 1) Caused by a disturbance in carbohydrate metabolism. Usually seen within the first 6 weeks after calving (during the early stages of lactation). a) Cows show a decrease in milk production and a sweetish, chloroform-like odor of acetone on their breath. b) In sheep, this disease usually occurs during the last 2 weeks of pregnancy with ewes carrying twins being affected the most. Ewes become weak and may collapse and die. Prevention involves not allowing pregnant animals to be excessively fat at parturition. Overall, sheep are much more susceptible and should be supplemented with a higher energy feed during the last month of pregnancy. __________________________________________________________ ACTIVITY: 1. Have students observe pictures of animals affected with the diseases discussed. 2. Observe feed samples of creep feeds and types of feeds known to cause metabolic diseases if improperly fed. __________________________________________________________ 4/5/90 sg/gv #%&C