Topics:
Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher
Water to Dry Matter Intake Ratio in Cattle
The Water intake of an adult cattle for every kg of dry matter intake is:
- 2-3 litre
- 3-5 litre — Correct Answer
- 6-7 litre
- More than 7 litre
Explanation:
Correct Answer: 3–5 litres
For every kilogram of dry matter consumed, an adult cattle requires approximately 3–5 litres of water. This ratio helps estimate daily water requirements based on feed intake.
Water Requirements — Key Facts
| Condition | Water Intake |
|---|---|
| Adult cattle per kg DM intake | 3–5 litres |
| Lactating cow (additional) | ~0.87 L per litre of milk produced |
| Dry cow | Lower than lactating; depends on feed type |
Sources of Water for Animals
- Drinking water: ~70–80% of total water intake
- Feed water: ~15–20% (succulent roughage contains ~80% water)
- Metabolic water: 5–10% (from oxidation of nutrients)
Metabolic Water per Gram of Substrate
- Fat: 1.07 g; Glucose: 0.60 g; Starch: 0.56 g; Protein: 0.40 g
Why Other Options Are Wrong
- 2–3 litres → too low; underestimates the water needs of cattle per kg DM
- 6–7 litres → too high for routine DM-based estimation
- More than 7 litres → only possible in extremely hot conditions or heavy lactation; not the standard ratio
📚 About this Topic — Animal Nutrition
This multiple choice question is from Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Nutrition to strengthen your preparation.
