Complete feed system is one of the latest developments to exploit the potential of livestock and poultry feed resources in the best possible way. These feeds should provide all the nutrients the animal needs in the right proportion. The correct supply of feed components and compounds contributes to the health, growth and reproduction of livestock and poultry.
Compositions of livestock and poultry feed are different depending on the type of livestock or poultry, age, breed and level of production. However, in general, ingredients in animal and poultry feed consist of six key groups:
• Water
• Protein
• Carbohydrates
• Fat
• Minerals
• Vitamins
Carbohydrates of Animal and Poultry
Carbohydrates are one of the most important and main sources of energy supply in animal and poultry feed. Carbohydrates are made up of a group of chemical compounds that include carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Carbohydrates in animal and poultry feed are usually available in the form of glucose, cellulose, starch and vegetable fibers. The need for carbohydrates in animals depends on the type of animal, age, breed, production level and weather conditions. In general, ruminants such as cattle and sheep require a higher proportion of carbohydrates compared to poultry. The importance of carbohydrates in animal and poultry feed is as follows:
• Source of energy: Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the body's vital activities, reproduction, growth and milk and meat production.
• Regulation of digestion: Carbohydrates They aid digestion and act as prebiotics, stimulating the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
• Maintaining health: Carbohydrates help maintain the health of the immune system and brain function.
Carbohydrate by creating heat in the animal's body, not only the temperature of the animal's body, but also causes the growth and activity of the muscles and maintains the animal's vital function. Simple carbohydrates such as sugars and starches are easily digested by all animals. But the complex carbohydrates that make up the fibrous stems of plants are not significantly digestible by dogs, cats, birds, or laboratory animals. On the other hand, the fibrous materials of these plants have little or no energy value. The main source of carbohydrates in poultry feed includes:
• Sugars: are the simplest type of carbohydrates and are quickly absorbed by the body. Sources of sugar in livestock and poultry feed include corn syrup, molasses, and sugar.
• Starch: It is a type of complex carbohydrate that is slowly digested by the body. Sources of starch in livestock and poultry feed include corn, wheat, barley and rice.
• Fiber: is a type of complex carbohydrate that cannot be digested by the body. Fiber helps digestion and acts as a prebiotic in animal and poultry feed. Sources of fiber in livestock and poultry feed include hay, straw and sugar beet pomace.
Tips about consuming carbohydrates:
• Balanced feed: It is necessary to use different carbohydrate sources in the animal's diet.
• Carbohydrate quality: The quality of carbohydrates depends on their digestion and absorption by the animal body. affects.
• Production level: Animals that are at a high production level need more carbohydrates.
• Weather conditions: In water conditions and In warm weather, animals need more carbohydrates.