290 PRODUCTIVE FEEDING OF FARM ANIMALS 



periments with different 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 pro- 

 ducing large gains. 



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

 producing finish in fleshing horses for market, but was materially 

 improved by the addition of linseed meal. 



3. A ration of one-fourth oats and three-fourths 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 conjunction 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 as a 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 

 the combinations of different feeds and the amounts of each com- 

 monly 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. ^Breeders' Gazette, 1899, p. 781. 



