Sources of protein for animal feeds

Sources of protein

Sources of protein in animal feed. They are generally classified as protein feed if it contains more than 18% crude protein of the total weight of ingredients. Protein is an essential nutrient, especially for young, fast-growing animals and high-producing adults. Protein supplements are generally more expensive than energy supplements.

What is protein

Different amino acid chains join together in peptide bonds to form proteins. Cows, goats, ducks, chickens, and fish all get protein from their diet. And this protein contains amino acids. Cattle or chicken proteins absorb amino acids into the body. This acid is helpful in all production including physical growth.

Not all proteins contain equal or balanced amounts of this acid. Protein quality depends on the number of amino acids. The protein which contains a more balanced amount of amino acids is called the best-quality protein.

This acid is found in high and balanced levels of corn meal and soybeans.

Sources of Protein

Protein supplements can also be classified by source:

  1. Plant proteins
  2. Animal protein
  3. Non-protein nitrogen and
  4. Single-cell proteins.

Plants provide more than 90% of the protein in livestock rations. Most of the plant protein comes from processed oilseeds.

  1. Sources of protein for cattle
  2. Sources of protein for poultry (Broiler, Layer Chicken)
  3. Sources of protein for Fish

Sources of plant-based proteins

Oilseeds and their by-products are commonly used in animal feed as protein sources. These ingredients contain protein as well as a small amount of fat. These crops include-

  1. Soybean meal
  2. Mustard oil cake
  3. Sunflower meal
  4. Sesame meal
  5. Groundnut meal
  6. Coconut meal
  7. Cottonseed meal

Sources of animal-based proteins

Animal protein sources for making feeds. You know that Protein is an essential part of the diet. It helps to build, repair, and maintain the body’s structures. Animal protein is an important part of the source of protein for poultry and fish feeds.

Popular animal protein sources for making dairy, poultry, and fish feeds.

  1. Fish meal analog
  2. Dried fish
  3. Meat and bone meal
  4. insect meal
  5. Meat meal
  6. Poultry meal
  7. Blood meal
  8. Feather meal
  9. Animal protein concentrate

Protein functions as a nutrient

  1. Protein is essential for the structure and function of every living cell.
  2. Protein helps the body grow and prevent decay.
  3. Proteins are partially used in metabolism, which in turn produces energy.
  4. Protein fulfills the amino acid needs of the body.
  5. If the animal consumes excess protein, it is burned to produce energy in the body.
  6. One gram of protein produces 4.2 kcal of heat energy.

Also read: Animal feed supplements and additives

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