Contents

Preface
I. Introduction
II. Nutrition and Nutrients
III. Composition of the Animal Body
IV. Composition of Feed

Preface

Compared to other developed countries the productivity of animals in India is very low. It is mainly due to improper and low standard of feeding. The productivity can be increased substantially if a proper nutrition schedule is followed. This calls for adequate knowledge about animal nutrition. All the sections of this booklet need a careful study since it is the foundation to know the animal feeding better. This booklet describes the nutrition and nutrients, composition of the animal body and composition of feed.

Dr. K.T. Chandy, Agricultural & Environmental

I. Introduction

India has a livestock population of 416 million and yet there is a perpetual shortage of meat, milk, hides and wool. Total poultry population is 223 million, yet per capita availability of eggs is only 20 and meat is 200 g per year. The low productivity of our animals and birds is directly related to the low or improper feeding standards of the animals.

It is a well known fact that yield of milk can be almost doubled just by improving the feeding standards even without changing the breeds. So the importance of feeding and nutrition can not be ignored if we want to increase the productivity of our animals and birds. And for that a thorough knowledge about animal nutrition is essential.

II. Nutrition and Nutrients

Nutrition is a process by which plants and animals take in and utilize food material. Food is vital for the various chemical and physiological functioning of the body. Food constitutes one or more, or a combination of two or more nutrients.

A nutrient is a substance that promotes the growth, maintenance, function and reproduction of an organism (living being). The principal nutrients of all. feed stuffs are water, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamin and minerals. These nutrients whether individually or in combination are responsible for:

1. building up and renewing the components of the body;
2. forming its products, ego milk, eggs, and wool; and
3. supplying energy for the processes involved.

So nutrients are the constituents of the food which must be supplied to the body in suitable amounts.