Comparative Nutrition of Farm Animals

Abstract

The data presented appear to warrant the following generalizations: In a broad sense, the total feed capacities of the various species are proportional to the same fractional power of body weight as maintenance requirement and basal heat production. There is no fundamental difference, therefore, between large and small animals in efficiency of feed utilization for growth that depends upon body size as such. Species or individuals that have higher than average relative feed capacity (feed intake in relation to basal heat production) during early growth stages tend to be higher in efficiency of feed utilization. At physiologically equivalent ages the requirements, as reflected by recommended allowances, for protein, calcium, and phosphorus appear to be similar for the various species. The ratio of these nutrients to energy intake, however, changes with alterations in the composition of growth increments with advancing age. Thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid allowances remain constant with energy intake irrespective of peaks of bone, muscle, and fat growth at different stages of development. Copyright © . .