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Large Animal Digestion. Worth County Middle School Donald Gilman Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Office May, 2004. Introduction. There are two types of digestion systems in large animals ( I.e. Cows, Horses,Hogs) Ruminants and Nonruminants. Topics of Discussion.
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Large Animal Digestion Worth County Middle School Donald Gilman Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Office May, 2004
Introduction • There are two types of digestion systems in large animals (I.e. Cows, Horses,Hogs) • Ruminants and Nonruminants
Topics of Discussion • Ruminants are multi compartment Animals. Their stomachs consist of four compartments.
Ruminants • Consist of Cattle, Sheep and Goats • They are cud chewers • They eat rapidly and through the intake of fiber, they bring their meal back up and chew it again. • This process takes place 8 –10 times a day.
Ruminants • Usually eat fibrous feeds like hay and pasture • Occasionally eat concentrates that are low fiber and high energy like grains and high protein foods
Parts of the System • Mouth- entry • Esophagus/gullet- tube like passage from the mouth to the stomach • Stomach- receives the food,adds chemicals that helps in the process of digestion • Small intestine- long folded tube attached to the bottom of the stomach; aids further in the process of digestion • Large intestine- Larger in diameter than the S.I. but shorter in length. The end of the L.I. is the rectum
Continued • Anus- the point of the body where undigested food (feces) leaves the body. • NOTE: the stomach of the ruminant is primarily where most of the digestion takes place.
The Ruminant Stomach • Rumen- the largest compartment;catches the solid foods. • Reticulum-catches liquids and foreign objects( wire and nails). • Omasum-Strong muscle that grinds food sent from the rumen • Abomasum-this is the true stomach;contains digestive(gastric) juices and works the same as a Nonruminant.
Continued • Ruminants eat rapidly; the animal then lays down and the food is forced back into the mouth where it is chewed again; this is known as their cud.
Non Ruminants • Horses and Hogs • All parts are the same as the ruminant EXCEPT the stomach. • N.R. stomach is a single compartment -Monogastric • When food enters the stomach,gastric juices stat to break down the food. • Require a large amount of concentrates in their diet (high protein grains)
Continued • Gastric juices contain enzymes: Pepsin and rennin • Both enzymes work in conjunction with the squeezing action of the stomach to digest the food • The small intestine helps to further digest any food left • The large intestine completes this process by the process of absorption and passes the fecal matter out to the rectum.
Summary • Digestion is the breaking down of feed into simple substances that can be absorbed into the blood stream. • Ruminants need a lot of roughage • Nonruminants need more concentrates . • Most digested feed is absorbed in the small intestine. • Non absorbed food is passes from the body.