MAKUAL OF CATTLE-FEEBmG. 401 



Sheep can consume, relatively, somewhat more fodder 

 (total dry matter) than cattle, and can also Lear more 

 concentrated food. We may perhaps put tlie maximum 

 amount of digestible nutrients at Ih pounds per day and 

 1,000 pounds live-weight for the latter, and at about 20 — 21 

 pounds for the former. 



In view of the importance of a due proportion of pro- 

 tein in the fattening of sheep, it seems probable that the 

 smallest amount given in the preceding table, viz., 0.22 lb. 

 per day and head, or about 2.5 lbs. per day and 1,000 Ibi. 

 live-weight, is the least quantity with which a good result 

 can be secured in most cases. This amount, with 17.5 lbs. 

 of non-nitrogenous imtrients, gives 20 lbs. of total digest- 

 ible matters, and a nutritive ratio of 1 : 7. 



Such a ration may be considered as approximating to 

 the minimum ration for fattening purposes. By increasing 

 the digestible protein to 4.2 lbs. and decreasing the non- 

 nitrogenous nutrients to 16.8 lbs., we get a ration having a 

 nutritive ratio of 1 : 4, and containnig 21 lbs. of total di- 

 gestible matters. This is a very concentrated ration, and 

 its narrow imtritive ratio and large amount of protein 

 must cause a very considerable protein consumption. An 

 increase of the amount of protein beyond this point will 

 hardly ever be advisable, since in that case the non-nitro- 

 genous nutrients must be decreased still more, not leaving 

 enough to protect the protein and fat of the food from un- 

 necessary oxidation. 



Between the two limits just indicated, the choice of a 

 feeding standard will be determined by the special condi- 

 tions of each case. As in the case of cattle, a preliminary 

 feeding may often be necessary, and a rather wide nutri- 

 tive ratio is to be recommended in the earlier stages of fat- 

 tening, which may subseciuently be gradually narrowed to 



