Zootechnical classification divides all feed into the following types: coarse, concentrated, succulent, green feed. The main advantage of any kind is nutrition. It can be enhanced in many ways. For example, when harvesting herbs, after processing by various methods, their nutritional value increases.
Each type of feed has its advantages and disadvantages, especially the preparation. The easiest way to get green food, as they include the entire terrestrial part of plants - shoots, leaves. This group includes meadow grasses, pastures, legumes, cereals, hydroponic fodder, root crops and root crops.
The benefits of feed
Fresh herbs are an excellent source of readily available nutrients for all animals, birds. Green feed can be used for five months or more. In their composition, they are distinguished by a high water content: approximately 60% of the composition is water.
The herbs contain crude protein - about 15%, fats - 5%, fiber - 11%, and the rest is ash, BEV. In natural meadow grass, protein contains about 5%, fat - 1%, fiber - about 8%. When animals eat such feed, the percentage of digestibility is about 70%, and protein is absorbed by 80%.
Young herbs contain a lot of energy and protein. Because of this feature, green feeds are equated with concentrates, but surpass them in value. Grass is especially valuable as a source of carotene.
Cereals during the earing phase contain about 200 milligrams of carotene per kilogram of dry matter, and in legumes this figure is 100 milligrams higher. In later periods of the vegetative development of the plant, the concentration decreases.
Getting feed
Animals receive the largest part of green fodder from pastures and meadows. The following types of herbs have good fodder qualities:
- bluegrass;
- fescue;
- boneless bonfire;
- foxtail;
- timothy
- clover;
- rank;
- alfalfa;
- peas.
Pasture use
In animal husbandry, it is important to correctly assess the load on the pasture, determining its yield and the optimal number of animals that it can feed. Typically, yield is determined by the mowing method, and the load is determined by livestock and productivity. On average, one cow needs half a hectare of pasture territory. With a free livestock breeding system, the supply of herbs is not used rationally: about half is lost, as animals eat the most delicious and nutritious plants, and others trample down.
In order to prevent this, it is rational to use a corral-portion feeding system. It involves breaking the pasture into corrals. They alternately feed green feed to animals. In those areas that have already given their resources, it is possible to carry out agricultural work.
Uninterrupted feed supply
With a pen- fed animal feeding system , you can organize a green conveyor, which can constantly provide grass from early spring to late autumn. Usually with this method, green fodder of the following types is grown:
- corn;
- oats;
- rye;
- alfalfa;
- clover;
- peas;
- lupine;
- clover;
- overeating;
- rape;
- vetch.
To organize the green conveyor, plants with different ripening periods are used. Crops of plants are carried out in different periods, starting in early spring. Thus, animals regularly receive the right amount of green mass.
When developing a conveyor, the calculation of feed intake by one animal per day is mandatory. Approximate planting and harvesting scheme:
- In late April, sowing is carried out, planting canola, rye.
- In late May, alfalfa is sown.
- At the end of June, mixtures of cereal, legumes and oats are sown.
- In early September, mixtures of cereals and legumes are removed.
- In October, mowing corn and pea crops, perennial grasses.
Grass in the diet of poultry and animals
The nutritional value of green fodder allows you to use them for all types of animals, as well as for birds. Chickens, geese, turkeys and other poultry happily eat fresh grass. After all, it contains many vitamins, trace elements, nutrients necessary for the normal growth and development of birds. Because of this, many poultry farmers have been actively harvesting herbs for their farm since June. Grass is dried for chickens, and brooms are made for feeding goats.
Nettle and other herbs
In June, nettle is usually harvested, which is not only fed fresh, but also dried for the winter. At the beginning of summer, they harvest shiritsa - grass is considered a malicious weed among gardeners, but animals eat it with great appetite. When weeding, all grass is given to birds. Clover, quinoa and other herbs are quickly eaten. But with green feed for rabbits will have to work hard. These animals are demanding and very fastidious in their diet. For them, many types of herbs eaten by chickens are dangerous.
Food for rabbits and MPC
Young leaves of trees, tender shoots are important for rabbits and small cattle. In June, green fodder is usually harvested in the form of brooms. They supplement the diet of animals kept in the compound. When dried, brooms are an excellent source of vitamins and other beneficial substances not only for young animals, but also for adults.
In June, most wild grasses begin to bloom. During this period, haymaking is carried out. If you delay and miss the time, then from overripe grasses you will get low-quality hay with low nutritional value.
For feeding, not only wild herbs are used, but also those obtained by agrotechnical methods.
Fodder plants
The energy value of feed cereals is high - about 0.25 ECE per kilogram of herbs, the dry protein content is 25 grams. All types of green foods, namely cereals, are a source of easily digestible carbohydrates.
At different times, different types of plants are introduced into the diet of animals:
- Winter rye. It has been included in feed since the end of April. As green fodder, it is used in the phase from the exit to the pipe until the moment of earing. In this culture, there is a deficiency of amino acids, but due to the high sugar content, the ideal use of nitrogen-containing substances in the diet of ruminants is ensured.
- Winter wheat. It develops half a month later than winter rye. Ruminants with great appetite eat the green mass of feed.
- Oats This is a late-ripening crop, which is mowed to feed in the same way as rye. Oats are characterized by a tender stem, which is why animals eagerly eat it.
- Timothy grass. This is a very common feed crop. Usually it is sown with clover. When growing this herb, food can be harvested up to five times per season. This type of green food contains 3% crude protein, 12% fiber, 1.3% calcium.
- Meadow fescue. It is considered a valuable plant that can be stored in the grass for up to six years. This culture is readily eaten by all kinds of animals, birds. Crude protein in fescue is 3.3%, fiber is 10%.
- Creeping wheatgrass is the most common weed. Usually it is sown in water meadows. The plant has a stimulating effect on the digestive system, which is why even cats and dogs eat it. Wheatgrass contains crude protein - 5.5%, fiber - 11%. It also has many other useful elements.
- Bean herbs. This type of grass is considered the most popular. Because of the legumes contained in legumes, it is recommended that you enter at least 50% of the herbs of this particular species. So, with the right diet, legumes help prevent the development of rickets in calves, goats, and sheep.
- Alfalfa. This is not only useful, but also high-yielding grass. It is useful not only for cattle, ISS, but also for birds. This type of green pig food is perfect. Alfalfa contains a lot of protein, calcium, but little phosphorus.
- Clover. This plant is used not only when creating green conveyors, but also on hayfields, as an improvement of natural forage lands. Clover is well suited for feeding pigs, and can also serve as the main type of green food for horses, ruminants.
- Soya. This plant is considered the most leafy. In the early stages of vegetation, about 80% of the foliage goes to the diet of animals, and in the later stages - about 60%, which is a fairly high indicator. Soy contains crude protein 5%, fiber 6.5%, etc. The beneficial elements that are part of the composition are perfectly absorbed and digested.
- Peas. It can be sown both in pure form and in mixtures with other plants. Of the peas, silage, haylage is usually prepared , used fresh. In the early stages of development, the plant contains a lot of protein - about 4%, carbohydrates, but there is little fiber in it - no more than 3%.
Growing and collecting different plants
Knowing the characteristics of green food, it is possible to properly organize the nutrition of animals that are not grown by a free method. The menu should have a variety of herbs. It is useful for animals to give lupine. This plant is grown on pasture. In chemical composition, the plant is close to legumes, but has a high sugar content, especially at different stages of vegetation. Lupine contains up to 4.5% protein, 6% fiber, but phosphorus and calcium are low. The plant has alkaloids that can cause paralysis of the nervous system and affect the liver. Because of this, grass is given in small quantities.
Clover goes well to food. In its composition, it is not inferior to legumes. In the first year of cultivation, the plant is well eaten by animals. During budding and flowering, the grass contains up to 7% fiber, 4% protein. Herbal briquettes, flour, and hay are made from sweet clover.
Yukki
Among the new green animal feed, peck is isolated. This is a forage crop obtained by crossing Chinese cabbage and winter rape. The plant is mowed before flowering, when it will be no more than 60 cm high. The pepper is suitable for preparing silage. Hay from this crop does not work. Pergo is perfectly eaten by animals fresh without any additional treatments.
Knowing which plants are suitable for feeding animals, and what their basic composition is, you can easily form the right diet, while saving on other feeds and concentrates.