FEEDING YOUNG ANIMALS 129 



older, adding age and weight, the nature of the ra- 

 tion changes through decreasing demands for pro- 

 tein and in increasing demands for the carbohy- 

 drates. In its early days a calf takes on weight very 

 rapidly. Compared with its weight the amount of 

 food consumed is very large. Often a small calf 

 will gain in weight as fast as a mature steer ten times 

 as big. Of course the flesh is less solid, the increase is 

 of a more watery nature, and the food consumption in 

 proportion to the size of the animal is enormous. 



Nature Widens the Ration. During the baby- 

 hood of the calf, or of any other animal, not much 

 exercise is taken ; hence, less of the heat and energy 

 materials are called for; but as this condition 

 changes, there arises a need for more of the carbo- 

 hydrates and fats to provide for mechanical work 

 both within and without the body. As these are 

 supplied the ration takes on more of each and de- 

 creases proportionately the protein. 



Nature supplies the needed carbohydrates by 

 creating an appetite for grass and roughage mate- 

 rials. Just after birth a calf, partaking of colostrum, 

 is fed abundantly with protein ; in a few days this 

 gives way to ordinary milk, with less of protein and 

 more of sugar and fat; and then a week or two later 

 the call of nature is further met by means of the 

 nibbles of grass or grain wherein is stored still larger 

 quantities of the carbohydrates and fat to meet the 

 cravings occasioned by exercise, energy and me- 

 chanical work. In this manner every offspring 

 gradually adjusts its food to its needs and very 

 largely balances its own ration. 



