196 THE SCIENTIFIC FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



less, and fat production is affected. Stalls should therefore be kept 

 comfortably cool (50° to 55° F. or less), for intensive feeding. In "ex- 

 tensive" feeding, with smaller rations, low temperatures counteract tissue 

 deposit, and the surrounding temperature should accordingly be kept at 

 a higher level (55° to 60° F.). 



In some sections of the United States (Missouri, where climatic conditions ap- 

 proach those of central Germany) feeders go even a step farther than has been sug- 

 gested. Where cattle are undergoing intensive feeding in the cold season of the 

 year, open sheds, protected with boards on the sides exposed to the prevailing storms, 

 are the only shelter provided, if any; and it is maintained that animals can be con- 

 ditioned in this way more economically than when stabled. Waters gives the fol- 

 lowing summary of results of feeding 3 lots of steers of 36 animals in eich lot : 



According to this experiment the production value of 100 pounds of digestible 

 matter is equal to 92.75 pounds live weight for stable feeding and 98.1 pounds for 

 feeding in the open ! 



In like manner, clipping stall-fed animals (temperature 55° F.) favors 

 radiation of heat from the body, stimulates the appetite and promotes 

 fattening. Actual utilization of the feed, however, is not affected by 

 lower temperature, and clipping during cold weather is indicated only for 

 intensive feeding. No advantage can be expected from clipping fatten- 

 ing animals under conditions of low external temperature and short ra- 

 tions. 



A part of the fattening ration is needed for the support of the vital 

 processes and is consequently unproductive. Since increase of weight is 

 proportionate to the excess above this requirement, the most profitable 

 feeding is that which produces a given gain in the shortest time, thus 

 eliminating unnecessaiy maintenance feed. Intensive feeding is, on the 

 whole, more economical than extensive feeding. Unless circumstances 

 demand otherwise, intensive feeding with rich feeding stuffs is the most 

 economical. 



In the beginning of the fattening period, as a result of the filling of the digestive 

 canal with food masses and water, animals seem to be making enormous gains. After 

 this abnormal period has passed over and the animals have become accustomed to 

 their increased rations and take their feed and drink regularly, frequent weighings, 

 preferably before the morning feed, arc of great assistance and value to the feeder. 

 Aside from variations due to irregularity in drinking water and voiding excrement 

 and urine, these gains are more or less uniform. Later, when the deposit of watery 

 tissues ceases, the rate of gain becomes less. This is due, in part at least, to the 

 fact that with a gain of live weight the maintenance requirements of the animal also 

 increase. The latter continue to increase as the animal approaches the finished con-, 

 dition. Kellner found that an animal weighing 630 kg. required 21,300 calories per 

 1,000 kg. live weight for mere maintenance, while one of 748 kg. live weight rc-^ 

 quired 23,920; one of 750 kg., 25,280, and one of 858 kg., 25,830 calories. 



Since, on the one hand, the cost of putting on a pound of gain increases consid-. 

 crably as the fattening period advances, and, on the other hand, overfat meat docs 



