Sanitary and hygienic requirements for feed and animal feeding. Animal feeding hygiene and veterinary and sanitary assessment of feed quality Hygienic requirements for feed and animal feeding

HYGIENE OF FEED, HYGIENIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THEM AND FEEDING OF FARM ANIMALS

Introduction

hygiene feed farm animal

Modern livestock farming is characterized by an active process of intensification, which is only possible with well-balanced diets and good-quality feed.

Food becomes the main link connecting the animal with nature, since modern industrial technologies are associated with the long stay of animals in enclosed spaces, where movement is limited, and the food used is exposed to a host of factors, including thermal, mechanical, microbiological and others, which leads to a decrease in productive and reproductive qualities, the emergence of new unknown diseases.

It is known that two opposite processes occur in a living organism - assimilation and dissimilation, in which in the first case the transformation of non-living into living occurs, and in the second - living into non-living. However, it should be noted that these two processes are interconnected into one whole.

1. The hygienic value of normalized nutritious feeding

Achieving a high level of animal productivity is possible only with rational and biologically complete feeding, i.e. diets must be such as to fully satisfy the animals’ needs both for energy and a certain ratio of various nutrients - complete protein, carbohydrates, fats, macro- and microelements, vitamins. Growing young animals are especially sensitive to the completeness of diets, since only with adequate feeding is the development of all organs and tissues ensured according to age dynamics, the manifestation of all its physiological functions and the formation of sustainable health.

Poor-quality feed and, as a result, inadequate feeding are the fate of many non-communicable diseases; a decrease in the resistance and immunological reactivity of the animal body is a direct path to infectious diseases. It is a generally accepted fact that the main economic damage to livestock production is caused by diseases of feed origin associated with inadequate diets and low quality feed included in them.

All metabolic disorders in the animal's body caused by imbalance, insufficiency or excess of feeding lead to so-called feeding stress. In this case, a distinction is made between partial, incomplete and complete fasting.

In case of incomplete starvation, which is observed with underfeeding, all the necessary components of the feed enter the animal’s body, but in quantities that do not replenish their consumption. During the initial period of incomplete fasting, the secretion of digestive juices increases, but intestinal motility slows down and constipation often occurs. Constant incomplete fasting leads to the extinction of gastric secretion and, as a result, carbohydrates, fats and proteins partially pass through in transit, and partially are not completely broken down. Products formed during incomplete breakdown of proteins and carbohydrates cannot be absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, which leads to the creation of favorable conditions for the proliferation of various microflora, incl. and putrid. At the same time, such undesirable processes are observed in the animal’s body as a decrease in digestibility and absorption of nutrients, diarrhea and general exhaustion of the body. Incomplete fasting negatively affects the cardiovascular system, liver function and, as a result, the body's resistance decreases.

Highly productive and pregnant animals and young animals especially suffer from incomplete fasting. Incomplete fasting disrupts the process of puberty in replacement animals, reduces ovulation and fertility in breeding stock, the quality of sperm production in producers, and the service period in queens is extended to 2-3 months, and sometimes more. Externally, incomplete fasting manifests itself in the loss of shine in the hair, its tousling, and folding of the skin.

Complete starvation develops when the animal body does not receive any food at all for a long time. The reason for this may be diseases of the pharynx, oral cavity, stomach, or the animal being in extreme conditions - an abyss, a gorge, etc. In this case, the animal’s body must consume the substances of its own body - carbohydrates, fats, proteins. First of all, the supply of glycogen, reserve fat, which covers the energy needs of the body, is consumed. The proteins found in the muscles of the trunk and limbs are the last to be consumed. It should be noted that during fasting, the plastic substances of the lungs, blood vessels, nervous system and gastrointestinal tract are not spent on energy needs.

Effect of deficiency or excess of protein and amino acids in animal diets

Lecture No. 16. Topic: “Sanitary and hygienic requirements for feed and feeding of animals”

Plan:

Zoohygienic value of feed

Hygienic characteristics of food substances

The influence of feed on the use of drugs

Hygienic rules for feeding agricultural products. animals

Prevention of animal poisoning associated with improper storage and preparation of feed

Feed hygiene when affected by toxic fungi, pathogens of infectious diseases and barn pests

Dietary feeding of animals

Additional literature:

1.Kuznetsov A.F. Hygiene of keeping animals. - St. Petersburg, Lan, 2003. - 640 p.

2.Kuznetsov A.F. Veterinary mycology. - St. Petersburg, Lan, 2001.- 416 p.

3.Medvedsky V.A. Hygiene of livestock facilities. – Vitebsk, Educational Institution “VGAVM”, 2001- p. 248

4. Sokolov G.A. Veterinary hygiene. - Mn.: “Design Pro”, 1998. – 160 p.

Burak I.I. Hygiene. – Course of lectures for students of the medical institute, VSMI, Vitebsk 1997. – 118 p.

Zoohygienic value of feed. Feed and feeding significantly affect the health of animals, their productivity and the quality of livestock products.

The great physiologist I.P. Pavlov pointed out that food represents that ancient connection that connects all living beings with inanimate matter.

Through nutrition, the body absorbs substances from the external environment, transforming non-living into living in the process of assimilation.

The peculiarity of farm animals as organisms for processing raw materials (feed) into human food products (milk, meat, etc.) is that the substances contained in the feed serve both as raw materials for products and as material for maintaining life.

Industrial technologies for keeping farm animals most often use feed that has undergone technological processing (mechanical, thermal, microbiological, etc.), which often reduces their quality. This leads to a weakening of the body’s resistance and reactivity and, as a result, loss of productivity.

It is generally accepted that the main economic damage to livestock farming in our republic is caused by diseases of feed etiology.

Improper feeding, both insufficient and excessive, is a stress factor and has a harmful effect on the health of animals, causing metabolic disorders.

There are the following forms of pathological conditions associated with improper feeding:

malnutrition (lack of feeding) – a condition caused by consumption for a more or less long period of time of insufficient quantity or quality of feed;

overeating (overfeeding) – a condition associated with the consumption of excess amounts of feed;

Imbalance is a condition caused by an incorrect ratio of essential nutrients in the diet.

Animal diseases associated with feeding can be roughly reduced to the following groups:

diseases caused by disorders of basal and energy metabolism;

manifestation of feed injuries;

manifestation of vitamin-mineral balance disorders;

arising as a result of feeding poor-quality feed and affected by pathogens of various diseases;

diseases resulting from violation of sanitary and hygienic rules of feeding, storage and processing of feed.

2. Hygienic characteristics of food substances. Nutrients are groups of organic and inorganic compounds that are part of feed and are involved in the metabolism and energy.

Nutrients include proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and mineral salts, and flavoring agents.

Taking into account the requirement criterion, nutrients are divided into:

essential, which include: some amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, minerals and vitamins;

replaceable - carbohydrates, fats, as well as a number of amino acids.

Squirrels are classified as essential substances. They perform plastic, energetic, signaling, protective, motor, transport, catalytic and buffer roles in the body.

In particular, they provide the structure and catalytic functions of enzymes and hormones, plastic processes of growth, development and regeneration of cells and tissues of the body.

Proteins participate in the formation of immune bodies, specific β-globulins, myosin and actin, hemoglobin, rhodopsin and are an obligatory structural component of cellular membrane systems.

They are of particular importance during periods of high energy expenditure or when feed contains insufficient amounts of carbohydrates and fats.

The biological value of proteins is determined by their amino acid composition.

Animal proteins have a higher biological value than plant proteins, which are limited in threonine, isoleucine, lysine and some other essential amino acids.

Essential amino acids are valine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, tryptophan, threonine and phenylalanine.

Exclusion of at least one of them from the feed ration entails growth retardation and loss of body weight.

Nonessential amino acids (arginine, cystine, tyrosine, alanine, serine, etc.) also perform very important functions in the body, and arginine, cystine, tyrosine and glutamic acid play no less physiological role than essential amino acids.

Excess protein is also harmful. Thus, with an excessive amount of protein in combination with a lack of carbohydrates in the diets, a disease such as ketosis (acetonemia or nutritional toxemia) develops in dairy cows, bulls, ewes and sows.

The disease is accompanied by the accumulation of ketone bodies in the body, damage to the pituitary-adrenal system, thyroid, parathyroid glands, liver, heart, kidneys and other organs.

The main cause of the disease is an incorrect ratio of protein and carbohydrates in diets, leading to a change in the species composition of the rumen microflora. A change in the microbial background of the proventriculus leads to a decrease in the enzymatic processes occurring in them, the accumulation of excess amounts of butyric and acetic acids, which in the liver, with a deficiency of carbohydrates, are converted into acetoacetic, beta-hydroxybutyric acids and acetone, causing ketosis, accompanied by severe intoxication of the body.

Prevention of this disease lies in limiting the excessive feeding of concentrated feed, feeding in sufficient quantities of easily digestible carbohydrates (for every 100 g of digestible protein there should be 80-140 g of sugar). In addition, sufficient exercise in winter and pasture or camp keeping of animals are recommended.

Fats are a source of energy superior to that of all other nutrients.

They participate in plastic processes, being a structural part of cells and their membrane systems.

Fats are solvents for vitamins A, E, D, K and promote their absorption.

Phosphatides enter the body with fats, in particular lecithin, polyunsaturated fatty acids, sterols, tocopherols and other substances with biological activity.

Fat improves the properties of the feed and also increases its nutritional value.

The composition of fat includes glycerin and fatty acids, with fats of animal origin containing saturated fatty acids, and fats of vegetable origin containing polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Saturated fatty acids are used mainly as a source of energy.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids and some other components of fats are essential.

The most important biological property of polyunsaturated fatty acids is their participation in the synthesis of phospholipids and lipoproteins, the formation of myelin sheaths and connective tissue.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids increase the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels and reduce their permeability.

Essential fatty acids are important in the synthesis of lipid components of cellular and subcellular membranes and prostaglandins.

Carbohydrates are most capable of satisfying the body's energy needs and helping to reduce the pH of the environment to the acidic side.

With all types of physical work, there is an increased need for carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates and their metabolites play an important role in the synthesis of nucleic acids, amino acids, glycoproteins, mucopolysaccharides, coenzymes and other vital substances.

Mineral composition feed includes more than 60 macro- and microelements.

The physiological significance of mineral elements of feed is determined by their participation in the synthesis of enzyme systems and the construction of body tissues, in maintaining the acid-base state of the body, the normal salt composition of the blood and the normalization of water-salt metabolism.

Calcium serves as the main structural component of skeletal formation. 99% of its total amount in the body is concentrated in the bones. It is also necessary for blood clotting, neuromuscular excitability, and the construction of cellular structures. With a lack of calcium, young animals develop rickets, and adult animals develop osteomalacia.

Magnesium is involved in the transmission of nervous excitation, stimulates intestinal motility, and has antispastic, vasodilating and choleretic activity. With a lack of magnesium, hypomagneemic tetany or pasture tetany develops - an acute disease characterized by increased excitability, clonic and tetanic convulsions.

Potassium takes part in enzymatic processes, the conversion of phosphopyruvic acid into pyruvic acid, a decrease in protein hydration, the formation of buffer systems, the synthesis of acetylcholine, as well as in the processes of conducting nervous excitation to the muscles.

Sodium plays an important role in the formation of the blood buffer system, maintaining acid-base balance, creating a constant osmotic pressure of the cytoplasm and biological fluids of the body. It takes an active part in water metabolism and contributes to the retention of bound water in the body.

Phosphorus plays a leading role in the functioning of the central nervous system, membrane intracellular structures, skeletal muscles, the heart, the synthesis of enzymes and adenosine triphosphoric acid, and the formation of bone tissue. Many phosphorus compounds with protein and fatty acids form nucleoproteins of cell nuclei, phosphoproteins (casein), phosphatides (lecithin), etc.

Chlorine is involved in the regulation of osmotic pressure in cells and tissues, normalization of water metabolism, and the formation of hydrochloric acid by the gastric glands.

Sulfur is a necessary structural component of methionine, cystine, vitamin B1, is part of insulin and participates in its formation. With a lack of sulfur in animals, coat growth is impaired, hair becomes brittle, and alopecia is noted.

Iron is an integral part of the chromatin substance of cell nuclei, blood hemoglobin, is part of the oxidative enzymes peroxidase, cytochrome, cytochrome oxidase, stimulates intracellular metabolic processes and is a necessary component of the cytoplasm and cell nuclei. With a lack of iron in the diet, animals develop nutritional anemia, especially in piglets and lambs, and less often in calves.

Copper is actively involved in the synthesis of hemoglobin and the formation of other iron porphyrins. The influence of copper on the function of the endocrine glands and, first of all, on the formation of insulin and adrenaline was noted. With a lack of copper, “licking” or perversion of appetite develops, accompanied by: disorder of hematopoiesis, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, paralysis of the pelvic limbs, changes in hair growth and exhaustion.

Cobalt activates the processes of formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin, has a pronounced effect on the activity of hydrolytic enzymes, bone and intestinal phosphatase. It is the main starting material for the endogenous synthesis of vitamin B12. With a lack of cobalt, “tachycardia” develops, accompanied by pernicious anemia, protein metabolism disorders, bone degeneration and exhaustion.

Manganese is involved in ossification processes and stimulates growth processes. Its participation in hematopoiesis, influence on sexual development and reproduction has been established. Manganese prevents fatty liver and promotes fat utilization in the body. With a lack of manganese, reproductive function is impaired, bones and joints are deformed, and birds develop a disease - slipping joint or perosis.

Zinc is included in the structure of carbonic anhydrase. It is necessary for the normal function of the pituitary gland, pancreas, testicular and prostate glands. Zinc has lipotropic properties, normalizing fat metabolism, increasing the intensity of fat breakdown in the body and preventing fatty liver. There is evidence of the participation of zinc in hematopoietic processes. With a lack of zinc, calves and piglets develop pellagra-like dermatitis or parakeratosis of the skin.

Iodine is needed to form the structure and ensure the function of the thyroid gland. With a lack of iodine, especially in young animals, endemic goiter develops.

Selenium exhibits protective properties against hepatitis, liver and skin cancer, and aflatoxin poisoning. With a lack of selenium in young animals, white muscle disease develops, characterized by functional, dystrophic and necrobiotic changes in skeletal muscles, cardiac muscle, blood vessels, organs and tissues.

Vitamins- these are chemical compounds of organic nature necessary for normal life, not synthesized in the body or synthesized in small quantities.

They normalize metabolism, being biological catalysts for a number of biochemical processes, and also control the functional state of cell membranes and subcellular structures. All vitamins are divided into three groups (Table 1. Classification of vitamins).

Vitamin D regulates the exchange of calcium and phosphorus in the body, promoting their absorption from the intestines and deposition in bone tissue. It is formed in the skin under the influence of ultraviolet rays.

Vitamin A ensures the process of vision, is necessary for normal growth, maintaining the structure of epithelial cells of the skin and mucous membranes.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant, protects fatty acids from oxidation, participates in protein and carbohydrate metabolism, and regulates the function of the sex glands.

Vitamin K stimulates the production of prothrombin and other substances involved in blood clotting in the liver and is part of membranes. It is formed in the intestines.

Vitamin C influences redox processes, participates in regeneration, promotes the production of antibodies, ensures normal permeability of vascular walls and their elasticity, and affects cholesterol metabolism.

Classification of vitamins

Biotin (vitamin H) is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, unsaturated fatty acids and amino acids, and is part of a number of enzymes.

Vitamin PP activates redox processes, cellular respiration and carbohydrate metabolism, has a positive effect on higher nervous activity, and normalizes liver function. Synthesized in the body from tryptophan.

Vitamin B 5 is part of enzymes that ensure the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, the formation of cholesterol, and adrenal hormones.

Vitamin B 6 is necessary for the metabolism of amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids, the formation of vitamin PP. It has a beneficial effect on fat metabolism in atherosclerosis, hematopoietic processes, and has a lipotropic effect.

Vitamin B 2 regulates the processes of oxidation and reduction in tissues, the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates, improves light and color perception, has a positive effect on hemoglobin synthesis, capillary tone, and liver function.

Vitamin B1 is involved in the oxidation of carbohydrate metabolic products, amino acid metabolism, the formation of fatty acids, affects the functions of the cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, central and peripheral nervous systems, normalizes the acidity of gastric juice, the motor function of the stomach and intestines.

Vitamin B 9 is needed for normal hematopoiesis, has a lipotropic effect, stimulates the formation of amino acids and choline.

Vitamin P reduces permeability and increases the strength of capillaries, promotes the accumulation of ascorbic acid in tissues, and stimulates tissue respiration.

Vitamin B 8 has a lipotropic and sedative effect, affects the function of the gonads, is involved in carbohydrate metabolism, and stimulates the motor function of the stomach and intestines.

Lipoic acid affects the metabolism of carbohydrates and cholesterol and has a lipotropic effect.

Vitamin B 13 is involved in the metabolism of proteins and vitamins and regeneration processes. It is used as a remedy for liver diseases, myocardial infarction, and heart failure.

Vitamin B 15 increases oxidative processes and oxygen absorption by tissues.

Vitamin U improves tissue respiration, stimulates oxidative processes, normalizes the secretion of digestive glands, and accelerates the healing of stomach and duodenal ulcers.

Vitamin B4 is involved in the formation of lecithin and acetylcholine, has a lipotropic effect, and affects the metabolism of proteins and cholesterol.

Water- is the most important part of the diet. It ensures the course of metabolic reactions, digestion processes, excretion of decay products in the urine, thermoregulation, etc. Loss of more than 10% of water threatens the life of the body.

3. The influence of feed on the use of drugs

Knowledge of the basics of feeding hygiene is important for a veterinary doctor when using medications, since some feeds themselves have pharmacological activity.

In addition, the main components of the feed can affect the biological activity of the drugs used.

Example: Fats contribute to easier and faster absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K and thus the manifestation of their effect.

Ingredients in the food may bind or destroy medications.

Example: milk forms insoluble and indigestible complexes with the tetracycline group.

Digestive enzymes, acidic stomach, and alkaline intestines may affect medications. Preparations of lily of the valley and strophan are highly sensitive to digestive juices. In the acidic environment of the stomach, erythromycin and penicillin are destroyed, and calcium preparations can form insoluble salts. Neomycin sulfate, nystatin and polymexine sulfate form compounds that are difficult to digest in bile.

In turn, medicinal substances can adversely affect the processes of digestion and assimilation of food, suppressing the activity of enzymes, stimulating the secretion of hydrochloric acid and mucus, and interfering with the activity of microorganisms involved in the digestive processes. These medications include acetylsalicylic acid, bromides, laxatives, hypnotics, antisclerotic drugs, sulfonamides, antibiotics, anticonvulsants, cardiac glycosides, and diuretics.

Taking into account the peculiarities of the interaction between drugs and food, the influence of digestive enzymes, and the pH of the environment, drugs are prepared in special shells with protective fillers.

The doctor must have an idea of ​​the bioavailability of the relevant organs and systems for drugs, taking into account the time of feeding.

There are many medicinal substances whose action is directly related to the various phases of digestion. A strictly defined appointment time is set for them. In particular, drugs with choleretic properties must be given before feeding, since they must have time to enter the intestines in order to ensure the release of bile in time.

Together with choleretic drugs, pancreatin should be prescribed before feeding, since it should avoid the adverse effects of gastric juice before digestion begins.

Penicillin and erythromycin are prescribed on an empty stomach.

It should be borne in mind that medications taken on an empty stomach are not only better absorbed, but also have a faster biological effect.

During feeding, medications should be given to facilitate the digestion of food (gastric juice preparations, enzyme complexes, burn).

While eating food, you should also use medications that need to be digested (infusion of senna leaves, decoction of buckthorn bark, rhubarb root tablets), since during the digestion process compounds are released that have a laxative effect.

Knowledge of the basics of rational nutrition is also necessary for a veterinary doctor to maintain and strengthen his own health.

4. Hygienic rules for feeding agricultural products. animals.

The works of many scientists and practitioners are devoted to hygienic methods of preventing diseases of farm animals during feeding.

Professor Sokolov G. A. formulated them as follows (1998):

1. Strictly follow the daily routine for feeding animals.

2. Feed during the day at regular intervals, preferably 3 rather than 2 times, for newborns and patients - 4...5 times during the day and at night.

3. Follow the order of feeding feed.

4. The daily dose of the diet should be divided into three unequal parts: medium in the morning, small in the afternoon and largest in the evening.

5. The alternation of feeding and watering in different types of animals must be strictly observed, especially with the concentrated type of feeding.

7. It is not allowed to feed food from the floor.

8. It is necessary to maintain a high sanitary condition of the feeders, to prevent contamination of the feed in the feeders by the feet of animals.

9. Animals should not be underfed or overfed.

10. The transition to a new type of food should be carried out gradually.

11. Feed without stress.

12. The recipe, shape, color, smell and consistency of the feed must correspond to the type, age and economic orientation of the animals.

13. The temperature of food for adult animals should be close to the standard air temperature in the room for this type of animal. For young animals - close to their body temperature.

14. Leftover uneaten food must not be fed to other animals.

15. Feed should be prepared for feeding to animals (by cleaning, washing, grinding, steaming and enriching with premixes).

16. Prescribe dietary feeding to sick animals.

17. Change your diet periodically.

18. Low quality feed cannot be fed in full, but 1/3 or 1/2 should be added to high-quality feed of this type.

19. Transport for transporting feed must be free from contamination or the presence of toxic substances.

20. Feed perishable feed quickly and do not store it on the farm for longer than the period specified in the instructions for use.

21. Follow the rules for storing feed.

22. Have regulatory support for the feeding front.

23. Pasture should be penned, with changing areas every 3...5 days.

24. The first feeding of colostrum to newborns should be within 1 hour after birth from nipple drinkers. Mastitis milk cannot be soldered. Between drinking milk, drink clean boiled, cooled water.

5. Prevention of animal poisoning associated with improper storage and preparation of feed.

If the technology of production, procurement, processing, storage, transportation is not followed, as well as the contamination of feed with substances and microorganisms harmful to the body, a decrease in their quality is observed.

Such feeds have a negative effect on the animal’s body, causing various pathologies.

In this regard, sanitary and hygienic control over the quality of feed is of great preventive importance.

The quality of feed is determined by organoleptic, laboratory and biological (bioassay) methods.

An organoleptic assessment is carried out on site, and the smell, color, humidity, uniformity, presence of mechanical impurities, mold, signs of rotting and other indicators are determined.

One of the main conditions contributing to the rise of livestock farming, the growth of livestock numbers and a sharp increase in its productivity is a stable feed supply, ensuring uninterrupted and adequate feeding of animals both in summer and in winter. The food supply can be created by radically improving meadows and pastures, organizing long-term artificial pastures, improving the structure of sown areas, significantly increasing the proportion of grass, corn, legumes and root crops (potatoes, fodder and sugar beets, carrots, etc.) in the crops.

The focus should be on green and concentrated feed, grain fodder, waste from oilseed processing and animal feed. As additives in animal diets, it is necessary to widely use synthetic products from the chemical and microbiological industries (urea, synthetic amino acids, macro- and microelements, vitamins, etc.).

All feed must be good quality, that is, free from harmful and toxic substances that limit their use or reduce their nutritional value, as well as cause disease or feed poisoning in animals.

Adequate feeding with good-quality food is the most important factor in the normal functioning of the body, maintaining high productivity and sustainable health of the animal.

Numerous studies and practice of livestock farms on collective and state farms indicate that inadequate feeding of animals, as well as poor-quality feed, sharply reduce the body’s resistance to infectious and invasive diseases, and also serve as the direct cause of many non-communicable diseases. Veterinary statistics show that the main economic damage to our livestock production is caused by non-communicable diseases, with a significant percentage (50-70%) falling on diseases of feed origin (irrational feeding, use of inferior and substandard feed). A number of gastrointestinal diseases are the result of disturbances in the feeding regime and the associated digestive process: disorders of the secretory, enzymatic and motor functions of the digestive apparatus, acute and chronic inflammation of the gastric and intestinal mucosa, colic, intestinal flatulence, tympany, atony of the proventriculus, etc. .

Frequent and serious causes of disease include inconsistency of feeding with the needs of animals or inadequate feeding, especially in protein, mineral and vitamin composition. As a result of inadequate feeding, the functions of the central nervous system and endocrine glands are disrupted, the metabolism in the body changes, productivity decreases, and barrenness and reduced vitality of animals are noted. Feed poisoning of animals is also very often observed due to feeding poor quality feed containing toxic substances, toxins, pesticides, etc.

“Life is metabolism” and everyone understands that the animal’s body must be provided with material to remunerate its expenses, otherwise it will very soon consume itself. In horses, death from starvation occurs within 18-27 days, and since fat and muscle undergo the most dramatic change in the absence or insufficiency of nutritional material, we can say that a starving organism lives off its fat and meat. Material suitable for replacing substances consumed by the life process, which can completely or partially prevent the loss of a substance needed by the body, is called feed or nutrient. It goes without saying that each feed substance separately does not contain everything that the body needs, and the sum of such substances containing everything necessary is called feed in general.

Chemistry acquaints us in detail with the composition of any nutrient, but, of course, it would be a mistake to determine the nutritional value of various feed products by relying solely on their chemical analysis. Any feed, without a doubt, must contain a certain amount of nutritious feed substances, but from this, however, it does not at all follow that the feed product containing nutrients in relatively larger quantities is at the same time the most suitable for the animal’s body.

From a practical point of view, it is necessary to pay great attention to feed products in terms of their taste, digestibility, digestibility, the absence of impurities harmful to health, and many other secondary circumstances must be taken into account when judging the practical merits of one or another feed. And so, the testimony of chemical analysis without any doubt deserves great attention, but far from representing an infallible measure for the final determination of the quality of feed and must first be subjected to the judgment of practice.

The scientific development of animal feeding issues began for the first time in Germany at the end of the 18th century, and the first steps towards studying these issues were recorded on the pages of the history of cattle breeding in the form of so-called “hay equivalents”, first proposed by Albrecht Thiers and subsequently modified in different ways Blok, Petri, Schwartz, Pabst, Weckerlin and many other agricultural writers.

The theory of “hay equivalents” was replaced by the theory of norms, the first foundation of which was laid by Groven. One food product is not enough for completely satisfactory nutrition of an animal, because it usually does not contain all the nutrients in such quantities as is required not only to preserve the body in its entire condition, but also for a certain production. Only mother's milk alone, and then in the first period of life, is an exception.

Feeding stud stallions. Feeding should be selected strictly individually, taking into account body condition, sexual activity and sperm quality. The feed ration should be varied and complete in terms of protein, mineral salts (especially calcium, phosphorus, sodium and chlorine), trace elements and vitamins (in particular A, D and E). For breeding stallions, an acidic type of diet is desirable, including a small amount of hay, haylage, succulent feed (beets, carrots, etc.) and a significant amount of nutritional concentrates of plant (wheat bran, sprouted oats, barley, etc.) and animal ( meat and bone meal, skim cow's milk, chicken eggs, etc.) origin. All feed must be of good quality.

Feeding tactics:

Stallions are used for various jobs, and during mating they expend a lot of energy, so the feeding regimen of a breeding animal resembles feeding a horse doing hard work. An overweight stallion is not as agile, he is not very comfortable riding mares, and he is at increased risk of developing laminitis, especially if he has a pony mix.

Additional energy and protein intake

Necessary to meet the stallion's increased nutritional needs caused by work. On average, a Thoroughbred stallion requires 20 MJ more energy per day than when resting, and an additional 165 g of protein per day.

Minerals and vitamins

The stallion's needs are increasing: vitamin A is directly involved in the production of sperm and is virtually always present in the feed, especially in the diet for breeding animals. Vitamin E is often added to the diet to increase fertility, although its effectiveness in this situation is not fully known. Most likely, it plays the role of an antioxidant.

When compiling diets, it is important to take into account the nutritional ratio of feed types. So, during the breeding season, the diet should consist of concentrated feed - 60%, roughage - 35 and juicy - 5%. Animals are fed at set hours, usually 3 times a day, and given plenty of water 2...3 times in cold weather and 3...4 times in summer.

2) Feeding pregnant mares. Animals are fed taking into account weight, fatness, age and pregnancy period. It is absolutely unacceptable to feed low-quality (moldy, rotten, icy, containing mechanical impurities and seeds of poisonous plants) feed. This can lead to metabolic disorders in the body, alimentary abortions, the birth of non-viable offspring and deterioration of the immunobiological properties of colostrum.

In summer and early autumn, mares are provided with a sufficient amount of green feed. On autumn pastures they need to be fed (mares with fast gaits are given 2...3 kg of cereal and legume hay and 1.5...2 kg of oats as feed, mares of large heavy draft breeds - 3...4 kg of hay and 2.. .3 kg oats). In winter, adequate feeding is determined by the selection of a variety of feeds. In the second half of pregnancy, the amount of concentrates in the mares’ diets is increased by 1...2 kg or more. At this time, it is especially useful to give them porridge made from bran, oats and flaxseed, carrots (2 kg per day), sprouted grains, grass and meat and bone meal, as well as mineral and vitamin supplements.

Bulk feeds are best fed in small portions. In the last 2 months of foaling, they are fed no more than 25% of the total amount of the diet, and 10 days before foaling, its volume is reduced by 30...40%, completely excluding bean hay. Wheat bran (0.5...2 kg/day) is periodically introduced into the diet, which has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, preventing dangerous prenatal constipation. Before use, the bran is lightly moistened with water. Give the mares water with fresh, clean water at room temperature. When drinking cold water, reflex abortions may occur.

3) Feeding the young. Feeding young horses from weaning at the age of 4-7 months until sexual maturity presents certain difficulties. Young ponies grow well on rolling pastures and do not have the same rapid growth problems as fast-growing Thoroughbred or Warmblood horse breeds. However, ponies can develop traditional problems caused by certain nutritional deficiencies.

Statistics show that nearly two-thirds of Thoroughbred horses fail training and testing due to too early bone growth. Therefore, in raising healthy horses, the main emphasis is on proper management, genetics and nutrition.

Feeding tactics.

Daily monitoring of the growth and development of young animals.

*Because growth is a dynamic process that varies from horse to horse, you may need to change the amount and type of rations you feed your growing animal. The rate of growth depends on the time of year and the quality of the forage, but the smooth growth of bones gives them more strength than uneven growth, the rate of which varies with the seasons.

* There is a high chance that rapid growth will predispose to weak bones, so one should aim for a moderate growth rate to reduce the likelihood of the disease. However, many breeders do not pay enough attention to this, because the price of a young horse depends on its appearance, and prospective buyers prefer large and well-growing animals of any age.

Feeding foals after weaning

* Young animals up to 8-9 months are fed a suitable diet for foals; its amount is determined at the rate of 450 g per day, multiplied by the months of the animal’s life. Then the amount of food is reduced to 225 g per day for a month of life. This diet can be fed to young animals up to two years old. Depending on the rate of growth and the specific situation, a foal at 12 to 18 months of age may require significantly less of this diet.

For therapeutic or preventive effects on the body of animals, dietary feed is often used (from the Greek diaita - diet).

The role of biologically complete feeding.

To monitor the state of metabolism, the blood of 10% of animals is selectively examined biochemically for total protein, calcium, phosphorus, reserve alkalinity and carotene; milk - for general acidity, ketone bodies; urine - for protein, ketone bodies, urobilin, determine its density. All sires are examined at artificial insemination stations. Cows are checked in September-October, and then in January-April; in summer - in June; calves - at the age of 2 and 4 months, and replacement young stock - in autumn and early spring. Pregnant sows are examined in the third month of pregnancy, and then during the suckling period. It is better to check sheep in the fall and 1.5 months before lambing.

Preventive and therapeutic feeding.

For therapeutic or preventive effects on the body of animals, dietary feed is often used (from the Greek diaita - diet). They create the background for the use of therapeutic agents (medicines, biological products, physiotherapy, etc.).

When prescribing dietary feeding, the etiology of the pathogenesis of the disease, the state of the body, species, breed, age, sex and productivity of animals are taken into account. Therapeutic diets are divided into gentle and irritating, carbohydrate, protein, achloride pasture, concentrate-free, incomplete and incomplete!

Gentle diets are used for minimal irritation of the affected organ (postoperative, with severe excitability of the glands of the stomach and intestines). A carbohydrate diet is indicated in case of severe condition of the body, in case of refusal to eat food (pneumonia, poisoning, intoxication, ketosis).

A protein diet is recommended for sick animals with indications for increased feeding. An irritating diet is used for decreased functions of the gastric gland, atony of the gastrointestinal tract and alkaline catarrh of the intestines. A pasture diet is indicated for animals suffering from chronic diseases of the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys and some others.

A concentrate-free diet is recommended for atonic conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, after animals have suffered from gastritis and gastroenteritis; it helps to increase the motor-secretory function of the stomach and intestines. An incomplete diet is prescribed to sick animals with acute diseases of the heart, kidneys, liver, and stomach. A diet with a decrease in protein content is indicated for nephrosis, hepatitis and enterocolitis with a predominance of putrefactive processes.