Classes of Livestock

Chapter 25.0 Nutrition Appendix More Details of Basic Nutrition 25.1 CLASSES of Livestock Review: An important first step in understanding the details of animal nutrition is to divide livestock into two major groups:

Grass-eaters These are animals that have digestive systems adapted to eating large quantities of forage and other rough feeds. They have bacteria and protozoa in their stomachs and intestines to help them digest this type of food. Grass-eaters include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, horses, mules and burros. In addition to eating forages, these animals are also able to digest grains and other more expensive feeds.

Note: AHAs must be careful not to give medicines (such as antibiotics) by mouth that may harm the beneficial bacteria and protozoa in the stomach and intestines of grass-eaters.

Non-grass eaters These animals may eat small quantities of tender, green grass and vegetables but they mainly require other kinds of food. These include pigs, chickens, dogs, cats and most birds (people are also in this group.) Non-grass eaters cannot digest rough feeds like mature grasses. Instead, they require grains, vegetables or meat to survive.