Animal feed products containing percarbonate and methods of feeding same

Abstract

Methods of feeding livestock animals involve feeding the livestock animals a milk replacer comprising percarbonate. The milk replacer has a pH of about 5.8 and the concentration of percarbonate is effective to reduce bacterial growth within the milk replacer product. The milk replacer can also include at least one added organic acid.

Description

technical field [0001] Embodiments relating to feed products and methods of feeding such products to animals. Particular embodiments provide reduced pH percarbonate-containing formulas that are effective in preventing bacterial growth without compromising palatability. Background technique [0002] Young animals need adequate nutrition for healthy growth and development. Robust growth in the early postnatal period is especially important for the long-term development of livestock. Several feeding systems have been used to intensify the animal growth process from infancy, which may include various feeding techniques around the weaning period. These techniques may involve giving the animal a milk replacer, but the milk replacer is often susceptible to bacterial contamination, which can cause digestive problems that stunt the animal's growth. Milk replacers may be particularly susceptible to Salmonella growth, and although some formula compositions have been modified to slow...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

These techniques may involve giving the animal a milk replacer, but the milk replacer is often susceptible to bacterial contamination, which can cause digestive problems that stunt the animal's growth

Milk replacers may be particularly susceptible to Salmonella growth, and although some formula compositions have been modified to slow Salmonella growth, such products are generally ineffective and not palatable to the animal in question

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