KAMPHUES, J. (1997): Problems in feeding food producing animals to meet the energy and nutrient requirements as well as to enable animals` well-being
Dtsch. tier�rztl. Wschr. (1997) 105, 117-123
Summary

The efforts in optimizing feeding conditions of food producing animals in the past were focussed primarily on promotion of performance and/or of the products` quality (MEYER 1997). Inspite of great success in this direction various risks occure due to the conflict between the increased requirements on the one hand and the species typical demands on the other hand (for example: need of roughage as well as of concentrates with high energy and nutrient density in ruminants). Especially in feeding high yielding dairy cows the conflict is obvious: Even in the case, that high amounts of concentrates are fed it gets more and more difficult to meet the energy requirement when the milk yield exceeds 40 kg milk per day (FLACHOWSKY a. LEBZIEN 1997). A negative energy balance is accompanied by a forced predisposition for ketosis and infertility (KRUIP 1996).

Insufficient proportions of roughage in those rations predispose the animals for rumen acidosis and associated problems (health of claws a.s.o.) as well as for displacement of abomasum. Thereby in feeding high yielding dairy cows there is only the choice between different risks due to the fact that the feed intake capacity did not increase in the same extent as the milk production did. In fattening calves the use of roughage (in Germany required by law) is on debate in this direction (necessary to avoid disturbances in the behaviour). Further problems in feeding animals according to their species typical demands are related to the established conditions of housing, feeding and water supply (risks of mechanization and automatization due to potential dysfunction). The generally increased feeding intensity results - for example in poultry - in a higher frequency of skeleton diseases; the more and more specialized pig production (separate units for piglet production, rearing units, fattening units) is accompanied by increased changes in diets and techniques of feed and water supply, to that the animals have to be accustomed, too.

The science of animal nutrition gets more and more involved in questions on the species depending requirements that guarantee a physiological development of the animal, health and normal behaviour. There is an increased need to create and evaluate parameters that can be used for characterization animals` well-being related to different feeding strategies. Without any doubts it is a special task to veterinary nutritionists to point out risks, problems, conflicting aimes when the feeding intensity is forced continuously. The slogan "back to nature" is too simple and does not correspond to the complexity of efforts which are suitable and necessary to meet animals` energy and nutrient requirements as well as demands of animals` welfare. Eventually it is helpful to remember sometimes the limits set up by the biology and physiology when feeding intensity or techniques are on debate.

WOLF, PETRA (1996): Poisonous plants in feedstuffs for cattle

�bers. Tierern�hrg. (1996) 24, 102-110

SUMMARY

Instances of diseases of unknown etiology in individual or groups of cattle (i.e. at pasture or in barns) have led to the suspicion that these may be cases of poisoning due to the intake of poisonous plants. These include instances in which roughage came from areas of intensive cultivation, where poisonous plants are present as contaminants in feedstuffs, and instances in areas of extensive cultivation, where poisonous plants are ingested directly in pasture or from roughage harvested from such areas. Factors that should be taken into consideration are the relative concentrations of contaminants, the water supply and the potential intake of poisonous ornamental plants. In addition to our own observations, further investigations on specialized aspects (botany, pathology, nutrition) are recommended. Instances of the intake of poisonous plants do not occur routinely, but in recent years their frequency seems to be increasing.

Petra Wolf, Anita Wenger und J. Kamphues (1997): Problems of crude fiber supply in dwarf rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchilla fed as pets

Vortragsabstracts der 10. Arbeitstagung �ber Haltung und Krankheiten der Kaninchen, Pelztiere und Heimtiere, Celle, 14.-15. Mai 1997


Feeding of dwarf rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchilla as pets differs in various respects to the nutrition of economically fed species. Instead of pelleted complete diets pets are fed usually with compound diets based on untreated/native ingredients, that are characterized by high energy but low fiber contents. Furthermore a free choice of ingredients with high palatability (and often high content of energy) is possible (risk of obesity!).
However, dwarf rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchilla are - considering the anatomy and physiology of their intestinal tract - not concentrate eaters but herbivorous animals. The often practised renouncement of hay, straw or other roughage is frequently discussed in relation with different disorders (indigestions, fur chewing, obesity, insufficient attrition of teeth a.s.o.).
Aim of this study was an improvement of the crude fiber supply in above mentioned pets. These crude fiber sources should be characterized by a high palatability and a sufficient structure to meet the requirement of gnawing of these rodents. Besides feed intake (diets were offered ad libitum) time for feed intake as well as palatability and digestibility of different ingredients rich in crude fiber were prooved. Furthermore possible differences of the individual species in digestion of roughage were of interest.
In general various results underline advantages of a compound feed with a high content of crude fiber and a sufficient structure (lenght ~ 1 cm), that are combined with ingredients low in energy (to avoid selection, prophylaxis of obesity). Due to this procedure the pets are forced to use their teeth intensively and to be busy with feed intake for a longer time (reduction of behaviour disorders as a result of boredom).