Analysis of Animals Feeds

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Animal Nutrition Project Analysis of Animal Feed Composition Fiona D. Analysis of Animal Feed Composition In our Laboratory sessions we examined the composition of various animal feeds. We tested these feeds for several nutrients and compared them to the NRC nutrient requirement tables. We can then see if these feeds met the animal’s nutrient requirement at a certain stage of their life. We then discussed why particular nutrients may be higher for certain animals, or why these nutrient values vary at different stages in the animal’s life. We examined the nutrient content of seven different animal feeds. These feeds included broiler starter and broiler finisher for chickens, layers mash for laying hens, maxi piglet for young pigs, turbo pig finisher for older pigs, lacto 16 for milk producing cows and beef maker for cows reared for meat. The dry matter content of the feeds was roughly 85%. This means each feed had a water content, or moisture, of about 15% Crude Protein: Protein is an essential part of an animal’s diet. It accounts for about 20% of each feed and is the second most abundant component of the feeds we tested, after carbohydrates. Every cell in the body contains protein. It is a major part of the skin, muscles, organs, and glands. Protein is also found in most body fluids. Protein is needed to aid in repairing the body’s cells and in creating new ones. Protein is essential for proper growth and development in early life and in pregnancy. Because of this we expect protein contents to be higher in starter feeds than in finisher feeds. . Protein is made up of long chains of amino acids. All amino acids contain Nitrogen in the form of amino groups. The crude protein content of each feed was found by using the Kjeldahl method. This assays the total Nitrogen content of the food. By obtaining the Nitrogen content of the feed, the crude protein
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