374 THE FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



There is one point of difference between steers and sheep, 

 however, viz., the growth of wool with the latter, that 

 requires the use of more or less food protein. 



The German standard for fattening sheep is 18.5 to 

 18.6 pounds of total digestible organic matter for each 

 1,000 poimds live weight, 3 to 3.5 pounds of which shall 

 be protein, thus giving a nutritive ratio ranging from 

 1 : 4.5 to 1 : 5.4. There is little doubt that this standard 

 calls for an imnecessarily large proportion of protein. 

 Neither scientific facts nor the observations of practice 

 justify the conclusion that sheep will fatten faster when 

 protein is so liberally supplied than when properly com- 

 pounded rations with a wider nutritive ratio are fed. 

 Doubtless more regard should be paid to the protein- 

 supply with sheep than with steers, but it is difficult to 

 adduce a single argument for insisting upon so narrow a 

 nutritive ratio with any species of fattening animal, 

 unless it becomes incidental to an economical purchase 

 of feeding-stuffs. We may safely conclude that the 

 resources of the farm are sufficient to supply enough 

 protein for a ration of an efficient character for the class 

 of animals under consideration, though we should give 

 due recognition to the fact that, with fattening lambs 

 especially, the protein feeding-stuffs may be most effi- 

 ciently utilized. 



470. Quantity of nutrients for fattening sheep. — ^The 

 quantity of nutrients prescribed by the published stan- 

 dard for fattening is practically the same for each unit of 

 weight as that given for fattening bovines. This; runs 

 contrary to common observation and the results of 

 experiments. The standard for steers has been charac- 

 terized as excessive, but this fault cannot be charged to 

 the one for sheep, for, if anything, it is below the demands 



