The major difference is protein sources. Ruminants require less protein than non-ruminants, and consequently require more fibre in their diet than non-ruminants. Non-ruminants cannot digest fibre and cellulose nearly as well as ruminants can, and thus need higher concentrate feedstuffs to actually do well.
Ruminants, such as cattle and sheep, require carbohydrates primarily in the form of fibrous feedstuff, like forages, which support their unique digestive system and microbial fermentation in the rumen. They typically need a diet with 60-70% of their energy coming from carbohydrates. Non-ruminants, like pigs and poultry, require more easily digestible carbohydrates, such as grains, as their digestive systems are designed for rapid absorption. Their carbohydrate requirements generally make up about 50-70% of their total diet, depending on the specific species and growth stage.
Ruminants have to be able to feed the microbes in the rumen (the stomach). As something to help in your research, look at how cobalt and sulfur are required by each as one difference in nutritional differences. Adult ruminants require a dietary intake of these elements while non ruminants do not. The reason for a cobalt has to do with the synthesis of B12 vitamin. This vitamin is synthesized by the gut microbes. Non ruminants, usually have a dietary intake of vitamin B12 and therefore have no requirement for additional cobalt. The cobalt is only needed for the center of the organic ring in B12. Since cobalt is not stored in the body, the only way to get the cobalt to the gut microbes is through oral intake. Injections of cobalt are not a solution, because thi
The nutritional requirements for sows and cows are very different from each other due to their differences in digestive physiology: Cows are ruminants, whereas pigs are monogastrics. As such, this question cannot be answered without going on a very lengthy reply with two separate answers for each species asked here. It would be much easier to answer if this question applied to either pigs or cattle, not both.
Phosphorus availability for ruminants from natural sources, such as forages and grains, is generally lower compared to dicalcium phosphate (DCP), which is a highly bioavailable phosphorus supplement. Ruminants have a unique digestive system that allows them to utilize some forms of phosphorus effectively, but they often require additional supplementation, especially in diets low in phosphorus. DCP provides a readily accessible source of phosphorus, ensuring optimal growth, milk production, and overall health in ruminants. Therefore, while ruminants can extract phosphorus from their diet, DCP is often necessary to meet their nutritional requirements efficiently.
Ruminants have a compartmentalised stomach. There are 4 compartments, the rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum. A non ruminant does not have a compartmentalised stomach, the non ruminants stomach has similar fucntions to that of the abomasum in the ruminants
In ruminants, blood glucose concentrations tend to be lower than in non-ruminants due to their unique digestive processes, which involve fermentation and rely heavily on volatile fatty acids for energy. During the weaning stage, both ruminants and non-ruminants may experience fluctuations in blood glucose as their diets change, but ruminants typically adapt to a more stable glucose level as they mature. In older animals, ruminants generally maintain more consistent glucose levels, while non-ruminants may show more variability based on dietary intake and metabolic demands. Overall, the age and nutritional state significantly influence blood glucose levels in both groups, with ruminants displaying a more stable metabolic response.
Oswaldo R. Rosero has written: 'Nutritional factors affecting mineral status and long term carry-over effects in ruminants' -- subject(s): Sheep, Feed utilization efficiency, Ruminants, Mineral metabolism, Physiology, Minerals in animal nutrition
Pseudo-ruminants are animals that have a digestive system similar to true ruminants but lack a multi-chambered stomach. Examples include animals like llamas, alpacas, and camels, which have a three-chambered stomach instead of the four chambers found in true ruminants like cows and sheep. These animals utilize a process called fermentation to break down fibrous plant material, allowing them to efficiently extract nutrients from their diet. Despite their differences, pseudo-ruminants are adapted to digesting tough vegetation effectively.
Ruminants require specific nutrients such as high levels of fiber, particularly cellulose, which they can effectively digest due to their unique digestive system, including the rumen. They also benefit from volatile fatty acids (VFAs) produced during fermentation in the rumen, which serve as a primary energy source. Additionally, ruminants need specific vitamins, such as vitamin B12, which are synthesized by the microbes in their rumen. Non-ruminants, like pigs and chickens, do not have the same fermentation capabilities and thus have different nutrient requirements.
Cows & sheep are ruminants - pigs are not.
They both have only one stomach, and primarily pertain to the differences in digestive systems between mammals, not avians, reptiles or amphibians. Ruminants have a four-chambered stomach, whereas non-ruminants have a simple stomach.
Conor Mc Entee has written: 'The use of enzymatic and in vitro rumen fluid methods to predict the in vivo digestibility of concentrate feedstuffs for ruminants' -- subject(s): Ruminants, Nutrition, Requirements, Feeding and feeds, Feeds, Analysis