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!