Principles of Animal Nutrition

Principles of Animal Nutrition deals with classification and function of nutrients, deficiency symptoms, digestive processes, characterization of feedstuffs and formulation of diets for domestic animals. Animal nutrition entails the study of the composition and characteristics of the material consumed by the animal, the manner in which this material is metabolized (converted, utilized, and excreted) in the digestive tract and body cells of mono gastric animals (pigs, broilers, layers), ruminants (sheep, cattle, goats), and lower digestive tract fermenters (horses, ostriches). The nutrient requirements of different species animals for various production functions are also addressed. Nutrition is important for a variety of reasons. Animals need the proper nutrition for growth and maintenance, and to provide energy for work and vital functions. Maintenance is the nutrition required for an animal to maintain its current weight. Energy is 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. 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. This book contains the fundamental and basic information of subject and the selection of contents makes it an appropriate book for the students as well as for scholars.