108 PRINCIPLES OF FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



some of the general practices followed by feeders will be of 

 some value. 



The ration should be so formulated as to satisfy the 

 appetite without exceeding the requirements of the animal. 

 It is obvious that unless the ration satisfies the appetite of 

 the animal, the results will not be satisfactory, as the animal 

 will be nervous and discontented. However, if the appetite 

 is satisfied only by feeding more than the requirements of 

 the animal, it will not only be uneconomical from a financial 

 standpoint, but it may injure the animal. Both these condi- 

 tions may be satisfied approximately by feeding the required 

 amount of digestible nutrients in such bulk that the animal 

 is " filled up " and the appetite is satisfied. In other words, 

 it is accomplished by feeding a proper amount and proportion 

 of concentrates and roughages. In many cases, in actual 

 practice the ration is regulated by Umiting only the con- 

 centrates and feeding the roughage ad libitum. For example, 

 one usually limits the amount of corn which a hog eats while 

 on pasture to that amount which, together with the pasture, 

 will produce satisfactory gains. Then, if the hog is still 

 hungry, he can eat the cheap roughage with safety until his 

 appetite is satisfied. Although not always to be recom- 

 mended, this method of regulating rations is often used. 

 In feeding a very palatable roughage, as alfalfa hay or corn 

 silage, it often is advisable to limit the amount of roughage 

 fed in order to induce the animal to eat enough concentrates. 



Also it is usually desirable to feed several feeds rather 

 than one or two, not only for the sake of variety in the ration 

 but also because in feeding only one or two feeds some of the 

 essential amino acids may not oe supplied in sufficient 

 amounts for the best results. 



