46 FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



Usually, however, it is absolutely necessary to feed foods 

 in combination, for the reason first, that one is lacking 

 in certain food elements, and second, that another 

 possesses these, hence, feeding the second makes it the 

 complement of the first. 



From what has been said, it will be readily apparent 

 that the whole question of feeding animals is one that 

 calls for the exercise of much intelligence. It is a com- 

 plicated work. So complicated is it that it may be al- 

 most impossible in practical feeding to feed foods in 

 exact balance. Usually of course it would be desirable 

 to feed them thus. Notwithstanding, such feeding may 

 not give results absolutely satisfactory as is shown later 

 (see p. 48). The qualifying factors of digestibility, pal- 

 atability and incidental influence on digestion must be 

 considered. For practical purposes it will suffice to feed 

 foods in approximate equilibrium. It is not difficult to 

 feed them thus. From such feeding there may be some 

 waste, but it will not be serious. Tables giving the 

 chemical composition of feeding stuffs are easily access- 

 ible. Some of these give the constituents of digestibility 

 as well, hence the individual who uses the foods which 

 he may feed according to the information thus given, 

 will not fail to feed them in approximate balance. 



Changes in equilibrium. The equilibrium or balance 

 in foods varies much with the class of animals to which' 

 they are fed, with the age of the animals in the same 

 class and with the objects sought from feeding them. 

 A ration that is in exact balance to meet the needs of a 

 horse at work, of cows giving milk and of swine that are 

 growing is so radically different that the difference will 

 be at once apparent to any who are at all familiar with 

 the needs of these classes of animals. The first calls for 

 food with concentration and but moderate bulk, the 

 second calls for much bulk and not more than moderate 

 concentration, and the third requires but little bulk and 

 much concentration. It is evident, therefore, that the 



