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VETERINARY PHYSIOLOGY 



Classification of Feeding Stuffs for Herbivora. 



Feeding stufts may be arranged in the following groups : — 

 (1) Green fodder. — Examples — Grasses, silage. These contain 

 a high percentage of water. In the young growing plant 

 the thin cell walls are full of protoplasm. These are therefore 

 rich in protein and easily digested. As the plant gets older 

 and larger the percentage of protoplasm decreases, and the cell 

 walls become impregnated with fibrous matter, difficult to 

 digest. On the other hand, the seeds with their reserve store 

 of food become more valuable as the plant reaches maturity. 



(2) Dry fodder. ^ — Examples — Hay, straw. These are 

 bulky foods characterised by a high percentage of crude fibre. 



(3) Roots and Tubers. — Examples — Potatoes, turnips. 

 These contain a high percentage of water and a small 

 amount of crude fibre. 



(4) Concentrates.— Examples — Grain, oil cakes. A high 

 percentage of digestible material and small amounts of crude 

 fibre and water are the characteristics of this group. 



(5) Animal Products. — Examples — Milk, fish meal. With 

 the exception of milk, these are concentrated feeding stuffs 

 rich in proteins. 



The following table shows the approximate results of 

 analysis of some common feeding stuffs : — 



Average Percentage Composition. 



