The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1881-03-05


Horses and cattle normally require.
in round numbers, four pounds of water
for each pound of dry substance in the
food, while sheep require about two
pounds, or half as much. This esti-
lnafe, the result of many careful exper-
iments. includes the water contained in
the food, as well as that in the drink.
The amount of water needed by PIGS
has not been accurately determined.
With horses we find different digest
i've arrangement,-one that changes
the conditions which were suitable Tor
ruminants to very important extent.
Horses have but one stomach, and that
relatively small. 1t contains when fully
distended, but fifteen to sixteen quarts,
and in this condition is too full for the
performance of its functions. Usually.
when digesting the food, the horses
stomach does not contain more than
ten quarts, and as more food is eaten.
some OF the contents pass onward into
the intestines, to make room for it. In
eating a full feed of hay, the stomach is
filled two or three times, so that the
part first eaten can remain but short
time for digestion. Now here is a point
of great importance. The albuminoids
OF the food are digested in the stomach.
and a stomachful of grain contains four
to six times as much of these as q stom-
achful OF hay. Consequently, for a suf-
ficient quantity of gastric juice to be
mixed with the grain and produce its
full effect, requires a much longer time
than with hay. II, then, we feed oats
or corn, and Immediately afterward
hay, we may be very certain that the
grass will be forced from the stomach
before it is perfectly digested; but if we
feed the hay first and then the grain, it
is not difficult to understand that the
latter can remain in the stomach a suf.
ficient time.
There is one advantage in mixing
oats or ground feed of any kind with
hay or straw, and that is, the more per-
feet mastication which the animal gives
in this case; but 1t is doubtful If this adj
vantage holds good with cattle, as they
do not chew their food perfectly when
eaten. but rely on the rumination which
follows. In mixing feed for horses, we
should not put great amount of coarse
food with the grain, or we shall give
them more than the stomach will hold,
and the last portions eaten will force
the first ones into the intestines before
they are thoroughly impregnated with
gastri: juice Thus, two pounds OF hay
and four pounds of oats are about as
much as should be fed at once when
mixed, and If more oats are given, the
hay should be decreased. For instance,
i've pounds of oats and one and one
half pounds of hay may be given.
These facts will give us q better un-
ierstanding of the effect of water ON
digestion. If, after feeding hay and |
hen oats, we allow horse to take
arge drink of water, a considerable |
part Of the oats viii be carried by the |
water into the intestines, and we get |
little of the advantage of feeding the |
bats after the hay. II such q drink is |
AIKEN soon after eating hay alone, the
fleet win not be so injurious, because
hay does not need so long q time for
digestion as grain. II only one or two /
quarts of water are allowed. it will pass
he food in the stomach without chang
ng its position to any great extent. |
When the stomach has got rid OF a con-
iderable part of its contents, it seems
J difficult matter for it to force out the
and fermentation and colo
ometimes result. A drink Of water at
uch time, by carrying on the SUBJ
lance which has remained long enough, |
elieves the condition This probably /
EXPLAINS why some horse-car companies
ave found it advisable 10 have their
Iorses watered at midnight. -ChicaJo
7Teid