CHAPTER V 

 HOW THE ANIMAL USES ITS FEED 



Rations. — A ration is the amount of feed given to an 

 animal in twenty-four hours, irrespective of the time of 

 feeding or into how many portions this feed is divided. 

 A balanced ration is one that suppHes protein, carbo- 

 hydrates, and fats in the proper amounts and proportions 

 so that there is neither excess nor deficiency. A mainte- 

 nance ration is one that will keep an animal at constant 

 weight. 



Feeding for Maintenance. — Feeding for maintenance 

 means feeding so that the animal will neither gain nor lose 

 in weight. The maintenance ration should furnish ma- 

 terial sufficient to repair broken down tissue; should 

 supply energy for carrying on the vital functions, such as 

 breathing, digestion, absorption, and assimilation; and 

 should produce sufficient heat for the animal body. 



Roughages Preferred for Maintenance. — As a rule, 

 roughages are more economical for maintenance rations 

 than are concentrates. If the animal is doing no work 

 there is not much breaking down of tissue, but the normal 

 heat of the body must be maintained. Idle horses 

 and cattle are more economically maintained on a 

 ration consisting mostly of coarse roughages than on less 

 bulky but more expensive concentrates. The ration does 

 not need to contain a great deal of protein to supply the 



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