306 BEGINNINGS IN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY 



same as corn meal, and it is excellent for cattle, sheep, and 

 hogs, all eating it with a relish. 



Wheat is not usually fed to animals, unless it is very low 

 in price. It becomes somewhat pasty when ground in the 

 mouth, as everyone knows who has lived in a wheat country. 

 It contains about 10 per cent digestible protein, and belongs 

 in the class of feeds fairly rich in this substance. All animals 

 are fond of wheat, but it should be crushed or cracked before 

 feeding to horses, cattle, or hogs. This is not necessary with 

 sheep. Wheat tends to make animals muscular or lean and 

 hence its feeding value is greatly improved by the addition 

 of an equal amount of corn. 



Wheat bran is the outer covering of the kernel. In the 

 big flour mills, the kernel is crushed to obtain the flour, and 

 the thin outer fibrous covering is removed as bran. This 

 contains about 12 per cent protein, and is a standard con- 

 centrate for feeding horses, cattle, and sheep. We say that 

 bran is a laxative, and keeps the digestive system cool and 

 open, a very necessary thing with farm animals. Stockmen 

 have always regarded bran as especially valuable. It has 

 recently been found by chemists to contain an acid substance 

 called phytin, which causes beneficial effects on the digestion. 

 Wheat bran is well suited to mix with corn or oats, or may 

 be fed alone to stock. Many horsemen feed it in the form 

 of a thick, wet, warm slop, called "bran mash." Bran is 

 even more of a muscle and bone making food -than wheat, 

 and most students of feeding use it for young, growing 

 animals. There are brans made from spring wheat, such 

 as is grown in the Northwest, and from winter wheat. 

 There is not much difference between them, but the bran 

 from winter wheat usually contains somewhat more flour 

 than that from spring wheat. 



