Animal Digestive Systems

Ag Science
Mr. Dieckhoff
 Objectives
Know the different types of digestive
systems of livestock, small animals, and
birds.
What organs are important for food
digestion?
Describe how food moves through the
digestive system of various animals.
Different Types of Digestive
Systems
Monogastric
Pigs, dogs, cats, horses
Avian (Chicken, turkey)
Ruminant
Cattle, sheep, deer
 Monogastric
Have only one
compartment in
their stomach
Digests grains easily
using amylase
starting in the
mouth
Does not digest
forages & fibers
easily (unless have
enlarged Cecum)
 Monogastric Digestive Tract

Test
What do each of these organs do….
Mouth – must chew food very
well
Esophagus – Transports food
to stomach using paralysis
Stomach (1 compartment) –
secretes hydrochloric acid to
break down nutrients, pepsin to
break down proteins, renin to
break down milk
What do each of these organs do….
Small Intestine – further breaks
down nutrients and absorbs
nutrients into blood stream
Duodenum – place where bile (from
gall bladder) mixes with fats
Jejunum – (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHulRDk__ko)
Cecum – Digests fibrous material
Large Intestine – water
absorption & feces formation
 Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lq
k7igz9L4
§ Type of monogastric –
but many new organs
§ Crop – part of the
Avian
esophagus – stores and
moistens food
§ Proventriculus – similar
to the stomach in
monogastric animals.
Provides digestive secretions
§ Gizzard – located after
the proventriculus, very
muscular, used to grind food
 Ruminant
four distinct compartments in its stomach,
swallows unchewed, regurgitates it, chews it
and reswallows it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPCaalSzEE0

microorganisms break down cellulose

Ruminant Digestive Tract
STOMACH COMPARTMENTS
Rumen (80% of capacity)
Reticulum (5% of capacity)
Omasum (7% of capacity)
Abomasum (8% of capacity)
 Compartment 1:Rumen
Large fermentation vat
Microorganisms break
down cellulose
Bacteria, protozoa
Creates lost of gases
(methane)
Ruminants have to be
able to eructate (belch)
Roughages are reduced
in size

Hole in stomach video

Rumen Feed Storage
Gas
Today’s Hay

Yesterday’s Feed
 The rumen does not develop in the
young until they are weaned and begin
to eat solid feed
Compartment 2: Reticulum
Collects objects that
shouldn’t be in the
digestive system.
Nails
Screws
Baling wire
Magnets are placed
into many dairy
animals reticulum.
 Compartment 3: Omasum
Works to remove
water from the food

Absorbs fatty acids

Compartment 4: Abomasum
(True Stomach)
Glandular Stomach (like yours)
Secretes digestive juices.
Breaks down food stuff further for
absorption.
Absorbs some nutrients.
 Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVN
NJf_28KE
 Order that food moves.
Rumen
Reticulum
Omasum
Abomasum

Hint to remember
Alphabetically back-
words.
Ru Re O A
 Review Questions
1. What are the two primary types of
digestive systems and give two examples of
animals that have each type?
2. What organs are in the digestive tract of
Monogastrics?
3. What are the four compartments of a
ruminant digestive stomach?