198 THE SCIENTIFIC FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



2. Fattening Ration for Mature Swine, 1 to 1^ Years Old 

 For 1,000 Pounds Live Weight Per Day 



First Second Third 



Feed fattening fattening fattening 



period period period 



Digestible albumen 3 lbs. 2.8 lbs. 2.0 lbs. 



Digestible fat 0.7 lbs. 0.5 lbs. 0.4 lbs. 



Digestible carbohydrates 26-30 lbs. 25.0 lbs. 19.0 lbs. 



Dry matter 35 lbs. 28-33 lbs. 24-28 lbs. 



Starch value 27.5 lbs. 26.1 lbs. 19.8 lbs. 



Albumen ratio 1:10 1:10.8 1:10 



If the swine are in a poor state of nutrition at the beginning of the 

 fattening period, or in case they are not full grown, more nitrogenous 

 feed should be given for the first 2 to 4 weeks (4 pounds digestible pro- 

 tein). In the further course of the fattening period, which should termi- 

 nate in 3^ to 4 months, the amount of digestible protein is gradually 

 reduced to 2 pounds. It is also advisable, in order to keep up the appe- 

 tite, that the fat be reduced to about 0.4 pounds in the course of time. In 

 order to give the bacon the desired consistency, care should be observed 

 in the selection of the fat concentrates. The carbohydrates should also 

 be reduced in the course of the fattening period to about 20 pounds 

 toward the end of the period. 



V. Rations for Dairy Animals 



Rations for dairy cattle should be adjusted to the milk yield. The re- 

 verse process, that of adjustment of the milk yield to the rations, occurs 

 to a less extent than is commonly supposed. This is possible only within 

 limits set by the capacity of the udder. Only those portions of the di- 

 gested ration which the udder is capable of converting into milk can be 

 expected to be thus converted. The nutrients which are finally con- 

 verted into milk seem to constitute an integral part of the cellular tissue 

 before the latter is broken down through the means of a complicated 

 chemical process, finally to be excreted as milk. The capacity to secrete 

 milk is at its height in the early part of the lactation period, i. e., soon 

 after calving. As time advances this capacity diminishes, and no kind or 

 quantity of feed can restore it. 



The food supply remaining the same, that portion which can no longer 

 be used for conversion into milk is, under these conditions, deposited 

 as fat in the body or udder. But abnormal fat deposits in the udder 

 lessen its efficiency and besides constitute a waste of nutrients in ani- 

 mals intended solely for milk production. It is evident, therefore, that 

 for practical purposes animals should be fed individually with due con- 

 sideration for their general condition of nutrition. The general condition 

 of nutrition should be good but the animal should not be fat. This rule 

 has a very general application and its observance should not be confined to 

 the lactation period only. 



