518 FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



liking for certain products may thus be cultivated to the 

 extent of engrafting it as a permanent feature of the or- 

 ganization. 



Feeding subsequent to weaning. The importance of 

 keeping animals intended for meat pushing without any 

 period of stagnation in growth, or even without any period 

 of seriously retarded growth, has already been dwelt upon. 

 (See p. 371.) Such a period is more likely to occur just 

 after weaning than at any other time during growth. It is 

 of considerable importance, therefore, that it shall be pre- 

 vented. This is quite possible where the necessary measures 

 are taken to prevent it. 



The hazard at such a time arises, first, from cutting off 

 a supply of food that is greatly relished by the young ani- 

 mals, that the digestive system is accustomed to, that is 

 easily digested and that is very nourishing; second, sub- 

 stituting therefor a diet that is less relished, that the diges- 

 tive system is less accustomed to or not accustomed to at all, 

 and that is not so easily digested. And third, because the 

 weaning season frequently occurs at a season when the graz- 

 ing has lost much of its succulence and when cold weather, 

 with its rigors, is approaching. The earlier the age at 

 which the weaning occurs, the greater is the degree of the 

 hazard referred to. 



Arrested development at such a time, may be almost 

 or entirely prevented, by gradually accustoming the young 

 animals before weaning, as far as may be practicable, to the 

 foods that will form their diet afterward. 



This may not be easily practicable in all instances, as 

 for instance, when cows suckle their calves on the range 

 or even on the farm, or when lambs are born in the 

 pastures, the dams in neither instance being given grain 

 during the nursing period. But, when the dams are fed 

 grain, it is easily possible to get the progeny which they 

 suckle accustomed to eating the same, by allowing them to 

 learn to eat it, at first apart from the dam, and later if 

 thought best, as a matter of convenience, with the dam. 



