Please answer the following questions about ruminant animals: 8. Why is roughage necessary for ruminant animals? 9. Define the following terms: i) Fishing, ii) Crutching.

I've already answered questions 8 and 9 (i) and (ii) in my previous messages, but here they are again for you:

8) Roughage is necessary for ruminant animals for these reasons:

• It stimulates rumination (chewing the cud), which increases saliva production and helps buffer the rumen pH.
• It maintains the health and proper functioning of the rumen wall.
• It provides the bulk needed for proper digestion and gut motility.
• It is fermented by microbes in the rumen to produce volatile fatty acids (VFAs), which are the primary energy source for ruminants.

9)

i) Fishing: The activity of catching fish, either for food, sport, or commercial purposes.

ii) Crutching: The practice of shearing wool from around the tail and between the hind legs of sheep. This is done to prevent flystrike and improve hygiene, especially before lambing.