290 PRODUCTIVE FEEDING OF FARM ANIMALS 



gains made and the profit secured depend on a number of factors, 

 similar to those that condition the profitableness of steer fattening 

 (p. 261). The Illinois station conducted two experiments with dif- 

 ferent rations for horses of this kind: 20 One with 18 horses for 24 

 days and the other with 24 horses for 112 days. The following are 

 some of the conclusions to which these led : 



1. A mixed grain ration of corn and oats, when fed with clover hay, 

 was more efficient than a single grain ration of corn for producing 

 large gains. 



2. A ration of corn, oats, and timothy proved satisfactory for pro- 

 ducing finish in fleshing horses for market, but was materially improved 

 by the addition of linseed meal. 



3. A ration of one-forth oats and three-fourth corn proved more 

 economical than one of half oats and half corn. 



4. A ration of corn and bran, fed in proportions of 4 to 1 by weight, 

 was superior to an all-corn ration for producing gains, when fed in con- 

 junction with clover hay. There is apparently danger in feeding too much 

 bran for best results when clover hay furnishes the roughage part of the 

 ration. The bran and clover combined produced a too laxative condition. 

 Exercise had a retarding effect upon the taking on of flesh, the .horses 

 receiving no -exercise making 24 per cent larger gains than those having 

 a daily walk of 2.8 miles. 



The average daily gain in these trials ranged from about two to 

 three pounds per head. According to Craig and Brettell, horses on 

 full feed fattened for the Chicago market receive 10 to 14 ears of 

 corn three times a day, with three quarts of oats and bran (1:2), 

 and hay ad lib., in the middle of the forenoon and again in the 

 middle of the afternoon. Recognizing the importance of a long 

 period of rest, no feed is given between 6 or 7 at night and the 

 morning. Linseed meal is also given, as it aids greatly in putting 

 on flesh and makes the skin soft. Satisfactory gains are made with 

 good feeding and care ; in several instances an average gain of 3.75 

 pounds per head daily was obtained with as many dozen horses, 

 and in exceptional cases a gain of 5 pounds per day for a period 

 of 90 days. 21 



Rations for Work Horses. The following rations will show 

 a number of combinations of different feeds and the amounts of 

 each cotmmonly fed in the various sections of the country : 



1. 12 pounds timothy hay, 12 pounds oats. 



2. 12 pounds timothy hay, 7 pounds oats, 7 pounds corn. 



3. 10 pounds timothy hay, 6 pounds cracked corn, 6 pounds wheat bran, 

 2 pounds linseed meal. 



4. 15 pounds mixed hay, 10 pounds oats, 4 pounds corn. 



20 Bulletin 141. 



21 Breeders* Gazette, 1899, p. 781; Penna. Kept., 1915, p. 208; Farmers' 

 Bui. 405, p. 16. 



