186 SCIENTIFIC FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



The principal use though is in the feeding of pigs ; 

 the pork and bacon from barley-fed swine are of 

 unexcelled quality. Where the pigs are under 

 three months old, oats are, however, preferable. 

 There does not appear to be any marked differences 

 between the various awned barleys and the amount 

 of chaff, which is between 7-17%, average 11%, 

 determines in the first place the feeding value. 



Rye and wheat, on account of the price, are only 

 used to a slight extent for feeding animals. Some- 

 times the small misshapen, or sprouted, grains are 

 given. Rye is considered to serve rather for the 

 production of energy than for fattening, but is 

 liable to upset the digestive organs. In a fresh 

 condition it is the most dangerous of all the cereals. 

 It may be given whole, after being cooked, to 

 horses, but not to the extent of more than half their 

 corn ration. Draught oxen get 4-6 Ibs. and sheep, 

 at most, Ib. per day. Fattening pigs should have 

 the rye ground and then given either dry or scalded, 

 as a supplementary food with potatoes, mangels, 

 etc. Fresh wheat is also dangerous, and on that 

 account is best used for fattening cattle and pigs, 

 to which it is given either ground or crushed. 



Maize is a very good food and seldom causes 

 disturbances of health. Horses may have half 

 their corn ration in split, or coarsely ground, maize, 

 without diminishing their efficiency, or causing any 

 other drawbacks. Maize is also admirably suited 



