Addis Ababa University

College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture

Department of Animal Production Studies

Course Title: Animal Nutrition (AnPS 2092)

By
Gebreyohannes Berhane / PhD, Associate Professor/

Begait Cattle - Tigray

 Course Outline
Course title Animal Nutrition
Course code AnPS 2092
Course credit 5 ECTS / 3 CrHr
Week Topics Instructor
1 Introduction to Animal nutrition: Importance of Animal nutrition: Feed Classification Dr. Gebreyohannes
and characterization: Definitions of terms Berhane
2 Classification of basic nutrients
-Water: Function, source and requirements, deprivation, analysis of feed for water
composition Chemical composition
3 -Carbohydrates: Classification, properties, utilization, occurrence and functions,
Analysis of feeds for carbohydrates (CF and NFE)
4 -Lipids: Classification, properties, functions and deficiencies, Analysis of feeds for
lipid content

5 -Proteins: Classification of amino acids and proteins, function of proteins, protein

structure and deficiencies of amino acids, analysis of feeds for protein composition

6 -Vitamins and minerals: Classification, functions, sources and deficiencies

7 Digestion, Absorption, and Metabolism of nutrients: -In monogastric, - In ruminants

8 The energy and protein values of feeds Prof. Berhan Tamir
9 Feed stuffs and their classifications: Roughages. energy and protein supplements,
minerals and vitamins supplements, feed additives
10 Nutrient requirement by livestock: --Requirement for maintenance: -Requirement for
production (energy, protein, mineral and vitamin requirements)

11-13 Ration formulation for different species of domestic animals

14 Feed Manufacturing technology and Feed quality control

15 - Laboratory examination
 Begait Cattle

Fogera Cattle

Senga Cattle
Horro Cattle

Abigar Cattle JigJiga Cattle

Mursi Cattle Ogaden Cattle

Borana Cattle
Introduction to Animal Nutrition

 The science of animal nutrition deals with the

animal and its feed

 Animals need the proper nutrition for growth and

maintenance, and to provide energy for work
and vital functions.

Begait Cattle - Tigray

Animal Feeds

 Food consists of Water and Dry Matter (DM). If the

water content in food is 75%, the DM content is 25%.

 Although water is very important, the DM is crucial

to the composition of a ration. More food is needed
when it contains more water

Senga Cattle - Afar

Animal Feeds Cont…
 Water is vital to any animal. The bodies of young
animals may consist up to 80% of their live
weight.

 Older, and especially fat animals, have less water

in their bodies (down to 50%).

Begait Goat and Sheep - Tigray

Importance of animal nutrition

 Nutrition is important for:

 Maintenance, the nutrition required for an

animal to maintain its current weight.

 Energy, the ability of the body to perform

functions. Proper nutrition is also needed to
maintain body temperature, produce milk,
reproduce, and develop proper bone structures.
Importance Cont…

 Without proper nutrition, animals can develop

health problems, which could result in treatment
costs or even fatality.

 Good nutrition is essential for all of the systems

of an animal to function and work together
properly.

Feeding Comparison
Feed classification
 Carbonaceous concentrates (low protein)

 Carbonaceous roughages (low protein)

 Proteinaceous concentrates

 Proteinaceous roughages

 Additive materials:

 Nutrients and

 Non-nutrient additives
Feed classification cont…
 Supplements of vegetable origin

 Supplements of animal origin

 a. Animal tissue

 b. Fish products

 c. Milk products

Goats and Sheep - Somali

Definitions of Terms
 Common sources of nutrients for agricultural animals
include roughages and concentrates.

 Roughages include feed that is high in fiber and low in

energy, such as grasses, hays, and silages.

Senga Cattle - Afar

 Concentrates include feed that is high in energy and
low in fiber, such as grains.
Classification of basic nutrients
 What nutrients do animals need?

 There are six major classes of nutrients:

 Water

 Carbohydrates

 Lipids

 Protein

 Vitamins and

 Minerals
Horro Cattle - Oromia
Classification of basic nutrients
 Essential Nutrients
 Water

 Energy

 Proteins

 Minerals

 Vitamins

Fogera Cattle - Amhara

 Water soluble (B complex and Vitamin K) =>
Microbial Synthesis
 Fat soluble (Vitamin A, D and E ) => External
sources
 Essential fatty acids and minerals => External
sources
 Supplementation for
 Minerals

 Vitamins
Water
 Water is vital for all animals and makes up more
than one-half of most animals’ bodies! It forms
the basis of fluids in the body and is essential
for processes such as digestion, blood
circulation, and waste elimination.

 Water helps dissolve nutrients and also

regulates body temperature through
perspiration and evaporation.
Water Cont…
 Animals need a fresh, clean source of water.
Most of the water an animal consumes comes
from the water it drinks.

 Water also can be obtained from feed sources

such as forage. Water is essential, especially for
working animals or during hot weather.

Borana Cattle - Oromia

Carbohydrates

 Carbohydrates are nutrients that provide the

main source of energy for body activities

 Carbohydrates provide energy for growth,

maintenance, and reproduction. They also help
produce body heat for warmth.
Carbohydrates Cont…
 Carbohydrates come from plants and include
sugars, starches, and cellulose.

 The main sources of carbohydrates in feed

are grains such as corn, oats, wheat, barley,
rye, and grain sorghum.

 Forages and hay are also sources of

carbohydrates.
Characteristics of common concentrate feedstuffs

 Carbonaceous concentrates (high-energy feeds; mostly feed

grains and their by-products. As to NRC nomenclature, these are

products containing less than 20% protein and less than 18%

fiber.)

 General nutritive characteristics

 High in energy (Total Digestible Nutrient or Net Energy)

 Low in fiber

 Low in protein (in relation to oil seeds and some mill feeds)

 Protein quality is variable and generally quite low

 Mineral level

 Vitamin levels
Lipids / Fats
 One may not think of fats as being essential, but
they are.

 Although fats are needed in small amounts they

are a necessary part of the diet.

 Fats provide energy and store excess energy.

 Fats help produce body heat and carry fat-

soluble vitamins in the body.
Lipids / Fats Cont…
 Many sources of proteins are also sources of
fats.

 Fats are found in both plants and animals.

 Plant fats include oils that are within seeds,

which are the main source of fats in agricultural
feeds.

Borana Cattle - Oromia

Protein

 Protein is made up of amino acids that are

necessary for healthy animals.

 Amino acids are the building blocks of

protein and are used for the formation of
tissues and muscle production.

 Protein is needed for healthy growth,

reproduction, and maintenance.
Protein Cont…
❑ Protein can be obtained from both plant and animal sources.

Plant proteins are more common in livestock feeds and include

soybean, cottonseed, linseed, peanut, and sunflower seed

meals. Protein also can be obtained from legume hays such as

alfalfa or clover.

❑ Legumes are plants that produce or fix their own nitrogen.

Sources of animal protein include tankage, fish meal, meat

scraps, and milk products.

Protein Cont…
 Animals need different amounts of protein, depending
the on needs. For example, young, growing animals
need more protein than older animals.

 Protein is often the most expensive ingredient in feed.

Crude protein refers to the total amount of protein in
a feed while digestible protein is the protein that can
be digested and used by an animal.
Vitamins
 Vitamins are essential for normal body
functions such as digestion, cell
metabolism, growth, and reproduction.

 Like minerals, they are also needed in

relatively small quantities.

 Vitamins help in tooth and bone

formation, assist the body in fighting
stress, and prevent infection in the body.
Vitamins Cont…
 Vitamins can be obtained from many different
sources such as forages, hay, and cereal grains.

 Just as in minerals, it is important for the

producer to provide the appropriate vitamins.

Fogera Cattle - Amhara

Vitamins Cont…
 B-complex vitamins are necessary for growth and
reproduction.

 The B-complex vitamins include thiamine, riboflavin,

niacin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, biotin, folic acid,
benzoic acid, choline, and B-12.

 The B-complex vitamins help many body functions such as

red blood cell maturation (vitamin B-12) and energy
metabolism (riboflavin).
Vitamin Deficiencies
 Abnormal bone growth  Poor coordination
 Decreased milk  Poor growth
production  Poor hair coat
 Decreased appetite  Poor hoof growth
 Diarrhea  Reproductive
 Digestive disturbances problems
 Excessive watering of  Respiratory illness
the eyes  Rickets
 Impaired vision  Scurvy
 Increased susceptibility  Unthrifty appearance
to infections  Weakness
 Loss of hair
 Poor blood clotting
Minerals
 Minerals provide material for growth of bones, teeth, and tissue
and also help regulate many of the body’s chemical processes.

 Minerals also help in muscular activities, reproduction, tissue

repair, and body heat.

 Although mineral intake may account for a small portion of the

total diet, it is essential.

 Minerals can be categorized as macrominerals or microminerals.

 Macrominerals are needed in larger amounts by the body, and

microminerals are needed in smaller amounts.

 Macrominerals include calcium, chlorine, magnesium,

phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and sulfur.
Minerals Cont…
 Microminerals include chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, iron,
iodine, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, silicon, and
zinc.

 Minerals are often added to animal feed or fed free choice,

which means animals are able to access at any time.

 For example, salt and mineral blocks are fed free-choice where
animals are able to lick them anytime they want.

 Animals may be able to tolerate minerals in excess of

recommended quantities; however, excess minerals in some
species can cause toxicity, even leading to death. Producers
should always ensure that minerals are given in the appropriate
amount to animals.
Minerals Cont…
 Sheep are susceptible to copper toxicity, which can lead
to death.

 Symptoms of copper toxicity in sheep include lethargy,

anemia, pale membranes, thirst, and jaundice.

 Excess of some minerals can cause weight loss and

slower rates of gain in some animals.

 Hogs that are given excess minerals may have slower

gains, and cattle that have an excess of sodium and
chloride can have reduced milk production and weight
loss.

 Selenium toxicity in horses can cause appetite loss,

Mineral Deficiencies
 Abnormal bone growth  Paralysis
 Anemia  Poor feed efficiency
 Decreased growth  Poor hair coat
 Decreased milk or  Reduced feed intake
wool production  Reproductive
 Deformed bones problems
 Enlarged thyroid gland  Rickets
 Heart failure  Skin disorders
 Lameness  Stiffness in the joints
 Loss of hair  Unthrifty appearance
 Milk fever  Weakening of the
bones
Digestion, absorption, and metabolism of nutrients

In monogastric In Ruminant
CHO in feed
digestive microbial
enzymes fermentation

Glucose in Volatile fatty acids

small intestine in rumen

Absorption into
blood circulation
 Carbohydrate digestion in ruminants

 Ingested carbohydrates are exposed to extensive pre-gastric

fermentation

 Rumen fermentation is highly efficient considering the

feedstuffs ingested

Begait Cattle - Tigray

▪ Most carbohydrates fermented by microbes
Protein digestion and absorption in ruminants
 Overview monogastric carbohydrate digestion

Location Enzymes Form of Dietary CHO

Mouth Salivary Amylase Starch Maltose
Sucrose Lactose

Stomach (amylase from saliva) Dextrin→Maltose

Small Intestine Pancreatic Amylase Maltose

Brush Border Enzymes Glucose Fructose Galactose

+ + +
Glucose Glucose Glucose

Large Intestine None Bacterial Microflora Ferment Cellulose

 Rumen fermentation

 Gases (carbon dioxide and methane) are primary

byproducts of rumen fermentation

 Usually these gases are eructated or belched out

- if not, bloat occurs

 Bloat results in a severe distension of the rumen

typically on the left side of the ruminant and can

result in death
Uses of Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs)
 Acetate
 Energy
 Fatty acid synthesis
 Propionate
 Energy
 Gluconeogenic – glucose synthesis
 Butyrate
 Energy
 Rumen epithelial cells convert to ketone
(beta hydroxybytyrate)

Proportions produced depends on diet

Absorption of VFAs

 All simple passive diffusion

 VFA metabolism in the rumen wall

 Cells use most of the butyrate for their own

energy needs

 Acetate and propionate are ‘exported’ to blood

 Metabolism of VFAs

 Overview

 Acetate and butyrate are the major energy

sources (through oxidation)

 Propionate is reserved for gluconeogenesis

 Acetate is the major substrate for lipogenesis

 Propionate is also lipogenic (though glucose)

FUNCTIONS OF A GOOD RATION

 Maintenance of vital body processes to keep animal

alive

 Growth by increasing the size of bones, muscles,

organs, and connective tissue

 Fattening by storing nutrients not used for

maintenance, growth, or other functions
Function Cont…

 Production of milk, meat, eggs, wool, hair, etc

 Reproduction- adequate nutrition is necessary

 Work-other needs are met before nutrients are available

for work

 From 1/3 to ½ of the ration fed is used for maintenance

FEED TYPES

 Roughages
 Feeds that contain more than 18% crude fiber when they
are dry

 Example: hay, pasture grasses, silage, hulls, straw,

fodder
Protein supplement
CONT…

Concentrates

 Feeds that contain less than 18% crude fiber when they
are dry

 Examples:
 Grains- corn, oats, barley, wheat

 Processed by products- wheat bran

 Liquid supplements:
 molasses, urea
 Animal/Plant proteins

Black Head Ogaden Sheep Somali

Characteristics of a good ration

 Balanced
 has all nutrients needed in the right amounts and
proportions

 Palatable
 tastes good so that animals will eat it
CONT…

Low cost
 Best nutritional value possible at lowest cost

 Feed costs are about 75% of the total costs of raising

livestock
CONT…

 Not harmful to health or quality of animal products

 Proper proportions of concentrates and roughages for

type and age of animal

 Uniformly mixed especially micro-nutrients and feed

additives
General principles

 Nutrients in the ration should be balanced to meet

animal’s needs at the least expense

 The ration should include a variety of feeds to be

palatable and to make it easier to balance
CONT…

 Should be succulent to make it fresh and appealing and

more palatable

 Should be palatable or agreeable to the taste in order for

animals to eat it
For stall feeding

Begait Heifer
Feed to the animals
 Be bulky to satisfy hunger and to help the digestive
system function properly

 Slightly laxative to improve feed efficiency and to prevent

constipation

Not Animals to the Feed

CONT…

 Be economical
 Price per unit of energy and digestible protein
determine if ration is economical

 Should be suited to the species and age of animal

 More roughages for cattle,

 more concentrates for swine/poultry

 higher protein for younger animals

100% DRY MATTER BASIS

 All moisture removed from feed

 Formula
 Kg of feed on 100% dry matter basis = Kg of feed on as-fed basis X
% of dry matter in feed
Rules in beef cattle rearing

 Fattening ration should include 1.5 - 2 kg of air-dried

roughage and 2 kg of concentrate per 100 kg of body
weight

 Cows nursing calves should be fed about 50% more than

dry cows
Thank You

Feed and respect them, They will respond