LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION BOOK

3. Ruminants and non ruminants

1. Ruminants:

   • Stomach Structure: Ruminants have a complex stomach with four compartments: the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum.
   • Digestive Process: The digestion process in ruminants involves a unique system of fermentation. They initially swallow their food without much chewing, and it enters the rumen, where bacteria and other microorganisms break down cellulose and other complex compounds. Later, the partially digested food (called cud) is regurgitated, chewed thoroughly, and swallowed again for further digestion in the other stomach compartments.
   • Examples of Ruminants: Cattle, sheep, goats, deer, and giraffes are examples of ruminants.

2. Non-Ruminants (Monogastric):

   • Stomach Structure: Non-ruminants, also known as monogastric animals, have a simpler, single-chambered stomach.
   • Digestive Process: Non-ruminants rely more on mechanical breakdown of food through chewing, as well as enzymatic digestion in the stomach and small intestine. They do not have a specialized fermentation chamber like the rumen.
   • Examples of Non-Ruminants: Humans, pigs, horses, dogs, and cats are examples of non-ruminants.