Question

Name two types of animal feed and write their functions.

Answer 1

The food required by dairy animals is called a feed. The dairy animals must get adequate, palatable, laxative, appetising and balanced ration with sufficient greens and ’ all nutrients in appropriate amounts. A large quantity of water is also required for milk production.

Two types of normal feed for dairy animals are :
(i) Roughage
(ii) Concentrates ‘

• Roughage: This part of cattle feed contains mostly fibres that come from hay (straw of cereals or Bhusa), green fodder (cowpea, berseem etc.) and silage.
• Concentrates: These are mixtures of substances containing fewer fibres and relatively excessive amounts of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals etc. – A balanced ratio containing all nutrients in proper amounts plus sufficient water must be offered to dairy animals at frequent intervals. Besides this, various additives which contain micronutrients, antibiotics etc. must also be given to cattle to promote their milk production.