ANIMAL FEEDS AND FEEDING – MALNUTRITION

CONTENT

1. Definition of Malnutrition
2. Types of Malnutrition
3. Causes of Malnutrition
4. Symptoms/Effects of Malnutrition
5. Table Showing Malnutritional Disease, Causes, Symptoms and Corrections
6. Practical Ways to Check Malnutrition in Farm Animals

Definition of Malnutrition

Malnutrition is the condition in which an animal shows evidence of nutritional deficiency as a result of improper feeding. It occurs when an animal takes in an insufficient quantity of feed, or eat diet which are deficient in one or more nutrients like protein, carbohydrate, minerals and vitamins. This eventually results in nutritional disease.

This may also occur if there is interference with the digestion and absorption of one or more nutrients from the digestive tract, and or binding of nutrients by some substances making amounts available for utilization by the animal to be inadequate.

Types of Malnutrition

There are two types of malnutrition, namely:

1. Under-nutrition

This is a condition that occurs when an animal does not eat or absorb enough nutrient to cater for their needs causing a deficiency.