FEEDING GROWING ANIMALS 351 



Pounds 



Clover hay 10 



Wheat middlings 3 



Linseed meal 2 



448. Milk for young animals. — In considering the 

 feeding of very young animals, we recognize the mother's 

 milk as in general supplying the necessary nutrients in 

 the best forms and proportions. It is true in the case of 

 cows that the very rich mUk of the butter breeds, when 

 generously fed, often causes a serious distm-bance of the 

 calf's digestive organs, but the fact remains that casein, 

 milk-fat, and milk-sugar are adapted through Natm-e's 

 design to the digestive processes and the nutrition of 

 young animals. Moreover, milk is rich in the mineral 

 compounds needed for bone formation. When, there- 

 fore, it becomes necessary or desirable to substitute other 

 food for the mother's milk, it is essential not to act 

 counter to physiological necessities and conditions. 



One fact of importance is that the very young ani- 

 mal is somewhat undeveloped in its capacity to digest 

 the starchy grains and similar substances, the secre- 

 tions necessary for this purpose not yet being abimdant. 

 It follows, then, that the first substitute for whole milk 

 should not consist largely of the insoluble carbohydrates. 

 Again, the young animal's stomach is at first unfitted for 

 receiving and utilizing bulky, fibrous food. Some time 

 must elapse before the calf or colt can secure much 

 noiu-ishment from grass, hay, or like materials. 



THE FEEDING OF CALVES 



449. Skimmed milk as a substitute for whole milk 

 in feeding calves. — ^The most successful way of feeding 



