308 



PRINCIPLES OF FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



would cat rcadil}^ ; another was given a little more than a 

 maintenance ration; another, an amount of feed equal to 

 the maintenance ration plus one-third of the difference 

 between the maintenance and full-feed rations; and an- 

 other an amount equal to the maintenance ration plus two- 

 thirds of the difference between the maintenance and full- 

 feed rations. The average daily gains, the amounts of 

 feed to produce a pound of gain, and the amounts of dry 

 substance to produce a pound of gain were as follows : 



The results of this experiment indicate that a ration 

 slightly above maintenance is less efficient for producing 

 gains than larger rations. However, there was little or no 

 difference in the efficiency of the full feed, two-thirds feed, 

 and one-third feed rations for the production of gains. 



It is of importance to note, however, that when animals 

 are being fattened for the market, the degree of finish also 

 must be considered. As an animal possessing a high degree 

 of finish is ordinarily worth more per pound than an animal 

 possessing a lower degree of finish, it usually will be more 

 economical from the market standpoint to feed as large a 

 ration as possible without throwing the animal off feed, in 

 order to attain a high degree of finish. 



