236 SCIENTIFIC FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



a certain space of time ; this has been proved in 

 fattening experiments, when the same quantity of 

 food was given at once and where it was divided 

 into several meals. The capacity of the digestive 

 organs, and the behaviour of animals free to eat 

 when they wish, point to the division of the ration 

 into three, or at most four meals for full-grown 

 animals, and four to six for young ones, as being 

 the most natural. When large quantities of fodder 

 are given at one time portions are very liable to 

 be thrown about and to be trodden under foot. 

 Regularity in the times of feeding plays a not un- 

 important part in the comfort and well-being of 

 the animal. By a suitable admixture of tasty 

 foods with those that are not so readily eaten the 

 appetite of the animal is maintained to the end of 

 the meal, and so the ration is fully consumed. 

 With ruminants and horses it is usual to first give 

 coarse or green fodder, and then the mixture of 

 chopped hay or straw or roots and concentrated 

 food. This ensures the consumption of each portion 

 of the ration before the next is begun. Finally some 

 long hay or straw for the animal to eat at leisure 

 should be given. The order in which the food is fed 

 can be altered according to taste, so long as the chief 

 end — a complete consumption — is attained. 



Mention has already been made (p. 94) of the 

 necessity of an addition of salt to the food, and the 

 daily need of a cow of average weight is f— ij oz., 



