Unit 28: Plan, Monitor and Evaluate the Nutrition of Animals Unit code: M/503/1747 QCF level: 4 Credit value: 10 Aim The unit aims to develop the management skills and understanding needed to plan, monitor and evaluate the nutrition of animals. Unit abstract Anyone with responsibility for animal nutrition must understand why, what and how those animals are fed. Learners will develop their understanding of how different animal species have differing digestive systems and processes and, as a result, have vastly different nutritional requirements. Learners will consider why feedstuffs formulated for one species may be completely unsuitable for another. Learners will develop an understanding of how an animal s nutrition is managed to promote performance, health and welfare, examining how nutritional problems can arise and how they may be solved. The need to manage animal nutrition whilst complying with legislation and codes of practice and ensuring the health and safety of those involved is essential and is emphasised throughout the unit. The nutritional requirements of an animal change throughout its life and especially according to how it is expected to perform. Learners will formulate, implement and monitor nutrition plans for animals. They will evaluate and adapt these plans according to how well the animal functions, using key indicators to benchmark performance. Learning outcomes On successful completion of this unit a learner will: 1 Be able to plan the nutrition of animals 2 Be able to monitor and evaluate the nutrition of animals 3 Understand the management of animal nutrition. 147
Unit content 1 Be able to plan the nutrition of animals Nutrition plans: purpose of planning; cost implications; use of feed additives and associated withdrawal periods; routine and prescriptive nutrition plan components eg feeding frequency, type and content of feedstuffs available; feed storage considerations, hygiene and biosecurity; ensuring that facilities and staff are adequate for successful plan implementation; use of feed as enrichment and in training; implementation of nutrition plan for a given animal Changing circumstances as appropriate: seasonal changes; condition; age; pregnancy; lactation curves; production stage; illness; activity levels 2 Be able to monitor and evaluate the nutrition of animals Animal health and performance: key indicators of malnutrition, poor health and good health eg body condition scoring, infection, changes in behaviour, lameness, unsatisfactory performance; how to obtain and critically appraise expert advice; current legislative requirements and practical interpretation eg Defra Codes of Recommendations for Welfare Evaluation of nutrition plans: suitable indicators of effectiveness of diet eg improved condition, improved performance, good health, avoidance of metabolic disorders; suggested changes if diet does not meet targets, including cost effectiveness, for a given species Purposes of record keeping: traceability; ensuring that feeding programmes are being followed; following organisational standards; legislative requirements and codes of practice Feedstuffs and supplements: purpose of using different feeds including palatability and effect on animal welfare; purpose of supplements and blends; best practice when storing and preparing rations eg personal protective equipment, hygiene, preventing feed contact with wildlife and contaminants; knowledge and avoidance of prohibited substances in feedstuffs eg processed animal proteins (PAPs); tests to ensure quality assurance standards are met for feed and water; proper disposal of uneaten/deteriorated feed 3 Understand the management of animal nutrition Digestive system: structure and importance regarding animal health and welfare as related to species eg monogastric, ruminant, hindgut fermentation, avian; mother-rearing and handrearing Nutritional requirements for different species: quantities and roles of water, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals and fibre Feedstuffs: availability; palatability; digestibility; feed tables; selection of feed; preparation; nutritional labelling; ration calculation (including least cost formulation), proper storage and disposal Performance of different species: eg production of milk, eggs, wool, meat; competition animals and effect of performance requirements on nutritional requirements 148 BH023310 Edexcel BTEC Levels 4 and 5 Higher Nationals units in Animal Management
Identifying and solving nutritional problems: importance of gradually introducing changes to diet; identification and rectification of nutrient deficiencies and excesses eg minerals, water, lipids, energy; practical problems with feeding eg methods, space, quantities, weather, pests, feeding behaviours Diet planning: using external advice; role of a nutritionist; legislation, regulations and codes of practice (including reporting and recording arrangements); rationale for reviewing and communicating policies to others involved such as veterinary surgeons and staff 149
Learning outcomes and assessment criteria Learning outcomes On successful completion of this unit a learner will: Assessment criteria for pass The learner can: LO1 LO2 LO3 Be able to plan the nutrition of animals Be able to monitor and evaluate the nutrition of animals Understand the management of animal nutrition 1.1 formulate animal nutrition plans for a variety of circumstances 1.2 implement nutrition planning for animals using appropriate resources 2.1 assess the effect of nutrition on an animal s performance 2.2 evaluate the benefits of improved nutrition on animal health and performance 2.3 evaluate the impact and effect of feedstuffs and supplements on animal health and performance 2.4 monitor animal performance using appropriate resources 2.5 evaluate the effectiveness of a plan for the nutrition of given species 3.1 discuss the digestive processes linked to animal species, animal health and wellbeing 3.2 discuss the nutritional requirements appropriate for different species 3.3 explain the role of a nutritionist in planning diets 3.4 discuss the links between animal nutrition and environmental factors 3.5 examine nutritional problems relating to performance or diet 150 BH023310 Edexcel BTEC Levels 4 and 5 Higher Nationals units in Animal Management
Guidance Links This unit links with Unit 2: Animal Husbandry Management, Unit 3: Animal Health and Welfare, as well as Unit 7: Biological Principles, Unit 10: Anatomy and Physiology, Unit 13: Animal Law and Ethics and Unit 19: Production Animal Management. Essential requirements Learners must have access to the internet and to specialist textbooks at level 3 and above. Animal welfare requirements must be paramount at all times. Animals must not be subjected to stress or overuse during delivery of this unit. Employer engagement and vocational contexts It would be useful for learners to integrate work placements with assessment if possible. Employers such as veterinary practices, animal collections and farmers are ideally placed for learners to enable learners to see the effects of nutrition on healthy and unhealthy animals. Feed producers and retailers can often provide visiting speakers and specialist literature that can illustrate the theory within this unit. Opportunities for the observation and/or undertaking of feeding regimes in a variety of situations via visits, practicals and placements should be included. 151