480 FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



the morning and evening feeds, which should be given 12 

 hours apart, as nearly as may be found practicable. The 

 stomach of the horse and pig being less capacious than 

 that of cattle and sheep, would seem to demand three feeds 

 per day, rather than two, and given as nearly as practicable 

 six hours apart. 



But there can be no disagreement with reference to 

 the wisdom of giving food regularly. The digestive system 

 of animals is such that it adapts itself at least measurably to 

 the system of feeding adopted. To change that system for 

 even a single meal, produces more or less of digestive 

 disturbance in the animal, as in the individual. If food 

 is not forthcoming at the accustomed time, animals will 

 proclaim their sense of deprivation, each in its own pe- 

 culiar way. The neighing of the horse for food, the low- 

 ing of the ox, the bleating of the sheep and the squealing 

 of swine, are simply echoes of the outcome of the desire 

 for another meal. Undue fasting is followed by taking 

 an excessive supply, which in turn calls for excessive drink- 

 ing, hence, digestive disturbance follows. The effects from 

 irregular feeding and changed conditions are well brought 

 out in the fact that animals usually lose in weight when 

 making the circuit of the autumn fairs. 



When water is withheld beyond the usual time, a sense 

 of deprivation is felt, then it is taken to excess. Disturb- 

 ance follows in secreting the digestive fluids, and just in 

 proportion to the irregularity will be the loss that follows. 

 Warm temperatures and hard work may and do call for 

 taking water more frequently than at other times, but 

 under normal conditions, the aim should be to supply it at 

 stated times. 



Nowhere in the management of domestic animals is the 

 importance of regularity more clearly shown than in the 

 milking of cows. A single instance of milking deferred for 

 any considerable length of time will be followed by decrease 

 in the next milking and in some instances in several milkings. 

 It has been noticed that to defer milking for an hour or more, 



