Livestock Nutrition, Pests and Diseases: notes

Nutrition

• Nutrients: carbohydrates and fats give energy; protein builds the body; minerals and vitamins protect health; water is vital.
• Ruminants: cattle, goats and sheep have four stomach parts and chew cud. They digest roughage well.
• Non-ruminants: pigs and poultry have one stomach and need concentrates.
• Conserving feed: hay is dried grass; silage is fermented green fodder.

Pests and Diseases

• Ticks: spread East Coast fever and heartwater. Control by dipping.
• Tsetse flies: spread trypanosomiasis (nagana).
• Notifiable diseases: such as foot and mouth and anthrax must be reported to the vet.
• Newcastle disease: a viral disease of chickens, prevented by vaccination.
• Prevention: vaccinate, dip, deworm, keep housing clean and isolate sick animals.