a) What is balanced ration ? (b) If birds at point of lay were fed a ration/feed containing: maize meal – 65°/ , groundnut cake – 25%, fish meal – 5% and brewers’ grain – 5%. Name the other feed ingredients that are essential which are not listed. State the importance of the ingredients you have listed.
Explanation
(a) Balance ration is the feed containing all essential nutrients in the correct amount and adequate proportion for feeding animals.
(b) Essential ingredients not included are: (i) Oyster shell or bone meal (ii) Fats and oil (iii) Mineral salts (iv) Vitamin or vitamin supplement.
(c) Importance of the ingredients listed above include:
(i) Oyster shell or bone meal:
(1) Farm animals need calcium and phosphorus for bone and teeth development.
(2) Birds need calcium and phosphorus for egg shell formation.
(3) It also supplies other essential minerals like sodium, copper, etc for osmotic balance
(ii) Fats and oil:
(1) It provides carotene rich in vitamin A.
(2) It provides an additional source of energy
(3) It is required for good egg yolk formation.
(4) It prevents dustiness in feed.
(iii) Mineral salt:
(1) Salt improves palatability of feed.
(2) It supplies sodium as sodium chloride.
(3) It is useful for enzymatic functions in intestinal tract.
(iv) Vitamins or vitamin supplements:
(1) They provide the necessary vitamin requirements.
(2) They are necessary for good egg formation.
(3) They are necessary for good bone formation.