166 THE SCIENTIFIC FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



water, mixed with chaffed feed in such a manner as to insure thorough 

 mastication and ensalivation. Bulky feeds, Hke straw, those of low nutri- 

 ent content or watery in character, like roots, tubers, slops, pulps, etc., 

 are not suitable for horses in large quantities, especially when speed is 

 expected. On the other hand, a certain amount of bulky feed, judiciously 

 administered, is frequently economical for work horses. 



Cattle, like other ruminants, are able to utilize very voluminous feed- 

 ing stuffs rich in crude fiber. Cattle differ from sheep, however, in that 

 the latter require dry roughage of fine texture while the former con- 

 sume very watery material, like slops, pulps and beets, to advantage. 

 Work cattle, however, demand more concentrated and less watery rations. 

 Concentrated rations for cattle economize by lessening the work of carry- 

 ing about unnecessary bulk. In all cases, however, for hygienic reasons 

 as well as on economic grounds, sufficient dry matter should be adminis- 

 tered in connection with concentrates and bulky watery feeds. 



Swine do not masticate their feed thoroughly; their digestive tract is 

 comparatively short, and the food mass passes through in a compara- 

 tively short time. They should, therefore, receive easily digestible rations 

 with no undue amount of crude fiber. Cooking, steaming and grinding 

 assist in making nutrients more soluble and expose them more directly 

 to the action of the digestive juices. Swine, therefore, should receive 

 easily digestible, watery, but otherwise concentrated rations. 



The volume or bulkiness of the ration should always be adjusted, 

 within certain limits, to the species of animal and the purpose in view. 

 Excesses one way or another may produce undesirable effects. Too 

 much volume tends to distend the stomach, overburden the abdomen, 

 cause curvature of the spinal column (swaying back and "pot belly"), 

 exert pressure upon the womb and fetus in pregnant animals, and inter- 

 fere with normal respiration by displacing the thoracic organs. On the 

 other hand, nutriment that is excessively concentrated fails to fill prop- 

 erly the digestive canal, fails to stimulate properly the digestive organs, 

 and produces a sensation of hunger which in turn tempts animals to bite 

 and chew on the feeding mangers and walls. 



It is of great importance also, for the attainment of our object in 

 feeding, that too much feed should not be given at one time and that no 

 additional nutriment be offered until the last feed has been thoroughly 

 cleaned up. 



AgreeahilHy and palatahilify should be given due attention, especially 

 when the end in view calls for the consumption of large masses of feed. 

 This is attained by special preparation, variety and system in administra- 

 tion. The less attractive feeding stuffs shoult be given first, or mixed 

 with those that are more relished. In horse and cattle feeding it is cus- 

 tomary to give the roughage first and follow with the concentrates, either 

 alone or mixed with chaffed feed or root crops. Following the latter a 

 little more hay or straw may be added. Changes in the order of admin- 

 istering the different constitutents of a ration are not infrequently made 



