CHAPTER V 



GROWTH AND FATTENING 



I. Growth 



We have seen in the preceding chapter that for maintaining mature 

 animals but relatively little protein and mineral matter are needed to 

 replace the small daily waste of these substances from the body. The 

 requirements for young, growing animals are far different, for their 

 bodies are increasing rapidly in both protein and mineral matter. 



Fig. 18. — Young Animals Need Abundant Protein and Mineral 



Matter 



Since the skeleton and protein tissues are steadily increasing in size during 

 growth, young animals require feeds rich in protein and mineral matter. (From 

 Fuller, Wisconsin Station.) 



In the growing body and its organs considerable fat is also stored, 

 especially if the animal is well fed. Therefore the growing animal, 

 in addition to being supplied with enough food to maintain its weight, 

 must receive additional nutrients to provide for the building of its 

 body. 



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