Phytogenic Feed Additive for Non-Livestock Ruminant Heat Stress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-domesticated ruminant animals, such as deer, face challenges with heat stress due to unpredictable environmental conditions, leading to reduced feed intake, weight loss, and illness, for which existing solutions are either impractical or expensive, especially in uncontrolled environments.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of a phytogenic composition, including Quillaja, Curcuma, cayenne pepper, or thyme oil, added to their feed to improve performance during or in anticipation of heat stress, by determining the animal's stress levels through symptoms or weather forecasts, and administering an effective amount of the composition to enhance feed intake, weight gain, and rib flesh.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If artificial cooling techniques and facilities are used to treat heat stress in non-livestock ruminant animals, then animal health and performance are improved, but cost and practicality increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanimal healthVSAvoidpracticality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs inexpensive phytogenic additives (essential oils, herbal extracts) that can be easily incorporated into feed formulations. These low-cost natural products provide effective heat stress relief without requiring expensive cooling infrastructure, making the solution economically viable for wildlife management and conservation programs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces mechanical cooling systems (fans, water sprinklers, air conditioners) with a biological solution using phytogenic compounds. The essential oils and herbal extracts work through physiological mechanisms to reduce heat stress, eliminating the need for complex mechanical cooling facilities in wildlife populations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If phytogenic composition is added to feed, then feed intake and weight gain are improved, but the complexity of feed formulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeed intakeVSAvoidfeed formulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies precise concentration ranges for phytogenic additives in feed formulations (e.g., 0.01-1% of total feed weight). By establishing standardized parameter ranges for essential oil content, the invention simplifies feed formulation while maintaining effectiveness. The guidelines provide specific dosage recommendations that balance performance improvement with formulation simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates composite feed formulations by combining base feed materials with phytogenic additives in standardized ratios. The phytogenic composition is integrated into the feed matrix as a uniform mixture, simplifying administration while ensuring consistent delivery of active compounds. The composite approach allows for easy scaling and standardization across different feed types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If monitoring and determination of heat stress is performed, then targeted treatment is achieved, but measurement and detection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat stress treatment effectivenessVSAvoidheat stress detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes naturally occurring behavioral and physiological indicators that animals exhibit during heat stress (reduced feed intake, increased water consumption, changes in activity patterns). These self-displayed signs eliminate the need for complex monitoring equipment, allowing researchers and wildlife managers to detect heat stress through simple observation of natural animal behaviors and physical signs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11883451B2Methods of feeding animals phytogenic products

Publication Date: 2024.01.30 PURINA ANIMAL NUTRITION LLC

AI summary

A method of feeding a non-livestock ruminant animal a feed composition including a phytogenic composition for improving performance during periods of heat stress involves determining the non-livestock ruminant animal is experiencing heat stress during a period of heat stress conditions, and feeding the heat stressed non-livestock ruminant animal the feed composition including an amount of the phytogenic composition that is effective to improve performance. A method of feeding a non-livestock ruminant animal a feed composition including a phytogenic composition for improving performance in anticipation of periods of heat stress involves determining a potential for heat stress is increased based on one or more of historical weather patterns or short-term forecasts, and feeding the non-livestock ruminant animal the feed composition including the phytogenic composition based on the determined potential for heat stress.