28 CONKEY'S STOCK BOOK 



given. But, in fairness to the sheep, note, this does not make any allow- 

 ance for the mutton animal's side line of wool for profit. The horse has 

 naturally less digestive capacity, or rather ability, than the cud-chewing 

 animals. For instance, compare as follows: 



The horse in comparison with the sheep gets: 

 1/2 the utility of straw. 

 3/4 " " " hay. 

 9/10 " " " clover or alfalfa. 

 10/10 " " " concentrates, oats, etc. 



The choice of a ration depends both on the kind of animal to be fed 

 and the kind of production desired. We usually estimate 10 Ibs. of dry 

 matter to make a pound of beef; but 30 Ibs. of dry matter to make a pound 

 of butter. 



A "BALANCED RATION" Now sum up, and see what we come to: 



A balanced ration must be balanced right 



for: 



(1) The animal to be fed, 



(2) The product fed for, 



(3) Chemical elements, 



(4) Total weight of food, 



(5) Total bulk of food, 



(6) Palatability, digestibility. 



PALATABILITY Palatability and digestibility are close kin in feeding; 

 DIGESTIBILITY still they aren't twins, and we mustn't confuse them. 

 In a few special cases, palatability lessens digesti- 

 bility; for instance, cooking rather lessens digestibility of food for live- 

 stock, though making more palatable. (Potatoes and such starchy tubers 

 are the exception to this fact. They are much better for livestock when 

 cooked.) Grinding increases both palatability and digestibility, making the 

 food more available, so that digestion can start at once with the saliva in 

 the animal's mouth. However, if this grinding costs more than 10% of the 

 value of the grain, the advantage is too expensive to be very practical. 



VARIETY Palatability has in it another important element variety. 



IN FEEDING Animals thrive where feeds are changed from time to 

 time, so that they get proper variety. In other words, 

 after a certain time food loses by sameness some of its palatability. On 

 the other hand, up to a certain point food gains by habit or. custom; for 

 there are many instances where feeds were not relished when newly intro- 

 duced to livestock, but later on proved very acceptable when the stock got 

 used to them rape, for instance, which is now so relished by sheep on 

 western ranges. Of course no change must be sudden. The animal must 

 be accustomed gradually to the change, or digestive troubles will follow. 



CONTENTED Fright of any kind checks the digestive operation. 

 MIND A "contented mind is a continual feast." 



Kindness to animals greatly aids digestion. 

 These are scientific conclusions. 



