NARAIN
DAS
KEHAR
45
They were then fed the munj-molasses ration. All
the animals relished the ration after acquiring a
taste for it, and within 20 days of the commence-
ment of this feed not only did they regain their
lost weight but put on 15 to 20 lb. more than their
original weight which had been at a stationary
level on a normal scheduled ration. During the
next 20 days the animals did not gain in weight
at the same rate as in the first three weeks on
account of a severe cold wave. To prevent its
being eaten at night, the animals were not provided
with bedding. However, as soon as the cold wave
was over, the animals again started putting on
weight till they reached a peak of about 30 lb.
more than their original weight, or 65 lb. more than
their weight before they started on the experi-
mental ration. At this stage the animals looked
healthy and their coats were soft. Two more hill
bulls, one and two, were added to this group 52
days after the commencement of the experiment.
In their case the period on half-feed was dispensed
with. Though they did not like the new ration to
begin with, they soon acquired a taste for it, ate all
they were given and gained in weight.
In view of the fact that when famine conditions
are improved at the onset of the rains, and the
animals are given work, these animals were sent
out to work on the Institute farm for two to four
hours daily. They showed an initial decrease of 5
to 10 lb. in body weight, but later the body weight
remained stationary.
After about 100 days of feeding on this dry
roughage, the animals showed indications of night
blindness. Consequently, 2 lb. per head of shisham
or pipal or ber leaves were included in their ration
once a week. The eyesight of the animals improv-
ed and there was no recurrence of this condition.
In order to study the effect of weather on the
continuous feeding of such a crude roughage as
munj and molasses, especially in view of the fact
that there is some prejudice against the prolonged
use of the latter in summer [Labh Singh and
Ghambhir Singh 1935], this feeding experiment was
continued from 1 January to 10 August 1940
covering the winter, summer and monsoon seasons.
During the entire course of this period the animals
showed no signs of ill-health. Sexual appetite,
however, became prominent in May and June.
When these animals had been on this ration for
about two months, a metabolism experiment was
conducted to investigate the digestibility and
nutritive value of munj. These observations were
carried out on hill bulls one, seven and eight
weighing 248, 264 and 264 lb. respectively at the
beginning of the experiment. The experiment,
lasted 10 days during which period accurately
weighed foodstuffs were fed and the residue left
after 24 hours was deducted from the total amount
offered to find the net quantity consumed. The
faeces were collected daily for 10 days and weighed.
At the end of this period samples of foodstuffs
and faeces were analysed. The results are given
in Table VII.
TABLE VII
Chemical composition (on dry basis)
—
Ash
.
.
.
.
.
Crude protein
.
.
.
.
Ether extract
.
.
.
.
Fibre
.
.
.
.
.
Nitrogen-free extract . . .
Wheat
bran
0.423
10.694
2.731
17.520
59.632
Munj
6.838
2.916
1.533
41.230
47.483
Rape
cake
7.861
33.025
16.440
9.340
33.334
Molasses
13.070
2.723
..
..
84.207
Faeces
H. B. 1
12.860
5.316
1.770
32.340
47.714
Faeces
H. B. 7
12.090
5.189
1.770
32.590
48.361
Faeces
H. B. 8
12.630
5.162
1.928
32.470
47.810
It was observed that the protein digestion of
munj is negative, and ether extract and total car-
bohydrates are digested to the extent of 16.31
and 30.69 per cent respectively. The digestible
nutrients are given in Table VIII.
TABLE VIII
Digestible nutrients per 100 lb. of munj
Crude protein
......
Carbohy-
drates
27.23
Ether
extract.
0.25
Total
digesti-
ble
nutrients 27.78
Nutritive
ratio
...
Starch
equiva-
lent.
3.80