Feed Intake is Very Badly Affected if any of the Following Problems Occurring.

Too little feed is made available. This leads to severe competition between animals and the younger and weaker animals always gets the least access.

• Lack of clean water. Feed intake will stop sooner than later if no water is available.
• Feed is contaminated with urine and dung.
• The feed contains foreign matter such as plastic, wire, string etc. Death may be the result swallowing of these foreign objects.
• Spoilt feed left in feed troughs accumulates due to a lack of intake by the animals. This leads to the false impression that there is sufficient feed available.
• Feed is out of reach of animals or feeders are not distributing feed properly.
• Incorrect quantity or type of feed is offered.
• Feed is selectively eaten - certain portions are left.
• Feed space is so limited as to result in severe competition between animals - some animals have very little if any access to feed. This also leads to weaker animals being injured.
• Animals want to eat, but due to some physical problem is unable to do so (e.g. something stuck in the throat; smooth tongue; infections on the lips, tongue or gums; stasis of the gut; colic; bloat).
• Sick animals rarely exhibit a healthy appetite.
• Animals that are on heat usually do not eat much.
• Pain reduces feed intake.
• Stray voltage results in a low current being present in metal feeders. Animals exhibit low or erratic intake.

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