THE FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



173 



= -08 



= -02 



= -05 

 •15 



The albuminoid ratio in a ration most suitable for the food of 

 animals depends largely upon the kind of animal and the con- 

 dition under which it is living. The following are suggested 

 as suitable for the various capcs : 



For very young animals the food should have an 



albuminoid ratio of al^out 

 For oxen at rest ..... 



„ moderately worked 



„ heavily worked 

 For horses moderately worked 



,, heavily worked . 

 For milch cows ..... 

 For sheep, for wool-producing 

 For fattening cattle, sheep, or pigs . 



4-0 

 11-0 

 8-7 

 6-0 

 7-0 

 6-5 

 5 

 8-0 

 5-5 



It is probable, however, that in the past, too mucli impor- 

 tance has been attached to the albuminoid ratio of rations, 

 especially in the case of fattening animals. When real albu- 

 minoids only are considered, the albuminoid ratio of fattening 

 rations may, with economy, be much wider than has hitherto 

 been recommended. A study of many feeding trials shows that, 

 provided sufficient proteid be supplied — and much less than was 

 thought necessary, suffices — the increase of a fattening animal 

 becomes proportional to the amount of digestible non-nitro- 

 genous matter which it consumes. A general recognition of 

 this fact would lead to much economy in the cost of fattening 

 for proteid-5 are the most expensive constituents of food-stufFs, 



Thermal Value of Foods. — Provided foods contain suffi. 

 cient nitrogenous matter to replenish waste of muscular tissue, 



