a) Explain the term ration. (b) Name four classes of livestock feed and list two...

Explanation

(a) Ration is the total supply of feed given to an animal in a twenty-four hour period i.e. the amount of food taken an animal per day.

(b) Classes of livestock feeds and their characteristics are:

(1) Basal /Energy feeds or Carbohydrate concentrates: (i) high in carbohydrates or fats (energy). (ii) low in protein. (iii) low in fibre. (iv). low in miner (v) highly digestible (vi) it essentially provides high energy.

(2) Protein concentrates: (i) high in protein (ii) low 13 carbohydrates or fats (iii) low in fibre (iv) highly digestible (v) low in minerals.

(3) Roughages: (i) very high in fibre( low in digestible carbohydrates and energy (iii) low in protein (iv) poor or low digestibility.

(4) Minerals/ Vitamins Supplements: (i) low in energy (ii) for growth and development (iii) low in protein (iv) largely aids food digestion ( low in fibre (vi) largely aids resistance to diseases. (viii) high in vitamins/minerals. (c) Maintenance ration is a type of ration given to animals just - to maintain normal functioning of the body system, the animal is neither gaining n losing body weigh. Such ration is usually supplied to breeding animals when they are not breeding. Usually it is supplied to dry or non-lactating animals when they are not lactating. Production ration is a type of rationgiven to animals - for purpose of production. Usually they are supplied in excess of maintenance requirements to produce meat, eggs, milk, wool, work, etc.