Livestock Digestive Systems
Ruminant Digestive System
• Objectives:
– Know the four parts of the ruminant stomach. – Know examples of animals that have a rumen. – Be able to describe the function of all four of the parts of the ruminant stomach.
What are some animals that have Rumens?
?
Cattle
Sheep
Goats
Deer
Elk
What do all of these animals have in common?
• They all
live off of grass, and other roughages.
Why can’t we live off of the same things cows eat?
How can a Ruminant digest these things?
• Through the process of rumination
– Eating rapidly, regurgitating and masticating their feed. (Chewing their cud)
• With specialized structures in their stomach
– Ruminants have microorganisms living in them that break down cellulose for them and make those nutrients absorbable.
What are these four structures?
Rumen
• Large fermentation vat • Microorganisms break down cellulose
– Creates lost of gases (methane) – Ruminants have to be able to eructate (belch)
• Some nutrients are absorbed • Roughages are reduced in size
Rumen Feed Storage
Gas Today’s Hay Yesterday’s Feed
Rumen (Punch)
Reticulum
• Collects objects that shouldn’t be in the
digestive system.
– Nails – Screws – Baling wire
• Magnets are placed into many dairy animals
reticulums.
Reticulum (Hardware Stomach or Tripe)
Omasum
• Works to remove water from the food • Absorbs fatty acids
Omasum (manyplies)
Abomasum
• Glandular Stomach (like yours) • Secretes digestive juices. • Breaks down food stuff further for
absorption. • Absorbs some nutrients.
Abomasum (True Stomach)
Order that food moves.
• • • •
Rumen Reticulum Omasum Abomasum
Hint to remember Alphabetically back-words. Ru Re O A
Review
Give me an example of an animal that has a rumen? Name the four compartments of the ruminant stomach? What does a rumen help and animal break down that we can’t? What are the common names of the four parts of the ruminant stomach?
Nice Work! Now on to the assignment!