Composition of living matter: carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals and vitamins. Feed behaviour of wildlife species. Ruminal fermentation. Nutrient metabolism. Characteristics and use of forages and concentrates. Nutritional requirements.
Bittante G., Andrighetto I., Ramanzin M. - Fondamenti di zootecnica. Liviana, Padova 1990.
Additional material provided by the teacher
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired:
Principles of feeding and nutrition for wildlife species. Chemical composition, quality and use of the main feedstuffs. Competence acquired:
Estimation of requirements of animals and nutritive values of feedstuffs.
Planning of feeding schemes.
Skills acquired (at the end of the course): Students should be able to realize feeding plans for the animal species.
Prerequisites
Courses recommended: Organic chemistry, Wildlife morphology and physiology
Teaching Methods
Number of credits: 6
Total hours of the course (including the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, private study, examinations, etc...):: 6*25=150
Hours reserved to private study and other individual formative activities:102
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 34
Contact hours for: Laboratory-field/practice (hours): 8
Seminars (hours): 6
Further information
Frequency of lectures, practice and lab: although not compulsory, it is strongly recommended
Teaching tools
Video projector, PC, overhead projector, experimental farms, labs, informatics room
Type of Assessment
Exam modality: Oral exam on the topics of lectures and practices.
Course program
Importance and role of animal nutrition. Composition of vegetal and animal living matter: carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals and vitamins. Chemical analyses of feedstuffs and fibrous fractions. Feed behavior of wildlife species. Ruminal fermentation of carbohydrates and proteins, protein/energy ratio. Metabolism of nutrients. Energy distribution: GE, DE, ME, Net E. Energy evaluation of feedstuffs: Meat FU and Milk FU. Protein metabolism and evaluation of protein: P.D.I. Forages: harvest forms; pasture, hay, silage. Concentrates and by-products. Nutrient requirements of the main livestock species.
PRACTICES:
Feedstuffs chemical analysis following Weende, van Soest. Ruminant and monogastric rations. Farm visits.