30 Feeds and Feeding. 



normal conditions only eat as much fodder as they can properly 

 digest^ and the digestive fluids are no more effective when operat- 

 ing on small than on large quantities. 



Contrary to general opinion, green fodders are no more digest- 

 ible than the same forage when carefully preserved by drying. 

 In practice, however, much of the finer parts of the plant is lost 

 by breaking off and falling to the ground during the process of 

 curing. Dew and rain may also effect changes. The loss of dry 

 matter through mechanical waste in curing may amount to 10 

 per cent., and the digestibility may be reduced from 4 to 5 per 

 cent.,, or still more if bad weather prevails during curing. The 

 storage of fodders even under favorable conditions for a long- 

 period may decrease their digestibility as well as palatability. 



The degree of maturity affects the digestibility of plants. At 

 Moeckern, oxen fed clover hay cut when coming into bloom 

 digested 71 per cent, of the protein, when cut at time of full 

 bloom 65 per cent., and 59 per cent, when cut toward the end of 

 blooming. 



Season, soil and manures influence the digestibility of fodders. 

 Hay cut during three successive years from the same field, when 

 fed to sheep, showed 60, 64 and 65 per cent., respectively, of 

 digestible protein. Crushing, grinding, steaming or fermenting 

 food does not increase its digestibility, although its palatability 

 may be thereby improved. At the Moeckern Station, boiled, 

 scalded or fermented wheat bran showed decreased digestibility 

 when fed to oxen. A keen appetite resulting from hard labor 

 does not increase the digestibility of feeds. 



Euminants oxen, cows, sheep and goats digest the same 

 kind of fodder equally. Horses digest from 1 to 12 per cent, less 

 of the dry matter of hay than ruminants. They digest the pro- 

 tein of hay equally well with sheep, but cannot make as much 

 use of the ether extract. Horses digest from 7 to 10 per cent, 

 less nitrogen-free extract than sheep, and as much as 20 per cent, 

 less crude fiber. The richer the feeding stuff the more nearly 

 does the horse approach the farm ruminants in the powers of 

 digestion. Neither the age nor the breed of the animal affects 

 the powers of digestion, though single individuals often show 



