What would be a consequence of low nutrient density in animal feed?

Choosing higher feed intake as a consequence of low nutrient density in animal feed is accurate because nutrient density refers to the concentration of essential nutrients provided per unit of feed. When the nutrient density is low, animals need to consume more feed to meet their nutritional requirements. This can lead to increased overall feed intake as they attempt to obtain sufficient energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals for growth or production.

In contrast, improved animal performance typically relies on balanced diet formulations with adequate nutrient density, not on an increased amount of poorer quality feed. While low nutrient density might suggest a potential for lower feed costs, the need for higher rates of feed intake to achieve adequate nutritional goals can negate that cost saving. Additionally, consistently low nutrient density would not leave the animal's growth performance unaffected; instead, it would likely lead to compromised growth and health due to inadequate nutrient intake. Therefore, higher feed intake is necessitated to counteract the effects of low nutrient density, making it the correct answer for this scenario.