The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-04-02
VOL. XXXIII.--NO. 23.
Feeding Animals.

upon 'T0eulnS AHlHdls
This subject was selected, not that
feeding animals is any especial part of the
veterinarian duties, but as being matter
that is quite as important for him to un-
derstand as for stOckmen whom he serves.
More than this, his client has the right to
expect of him sound counsel upon any of
the manifold problems that arise in the
healthlul and economical feeding of all ami
mails.
His practiced eye should be quick to de-
tect any deviation from the perfect thrift
that marks the animal, when at its best,
for the purpose for which it is being fed,
and be able to prescribe the necessary diet
10 correct defective conditions. instead of
giving condition powders. However, they
act admirably when given together. The
basis of all intelligent and successful feed
ing is in the recognition of the underlying
fact that the various feeds are composed
Of the same elements as the bodies they
nourish. In other words, vegetation in
corporateS. from soil and air. the materials
that the animal body is about to appro
pirate But the proportions are seldom
right: the water, ash, protein. fat and
carbohydrates of the various forage plants
and cereals are in widely varying proper
tioms and degrees of digestibility. SO that it
is possible to Starve an animal while giving
it all it is able to eat to greatly curtail the
production Of milk by Il badly balanced
ration. or to 50 diminish force as to render
an animal worthless fer work. To feed
for bare maintenance is one thing; for rapid
growth and full development. Il better
thing: to feed a milk COW at loss, an easy
thing; to feed horse up to his full capac
ity for work, grand thing. While pcdi
gree is important skill in feeding makes
the successful breeder.
We have different kinds Of feeding
scientific feeding, where the right materials
are in exact proportions for desired results;
good feeding, where the ration is made up
from one own experience and from the
teaching Of others; haphazard feeding and
ignorant careless. ruinous. criminal feed
inc. But our live stock interests the
greatest of any people upon the globe. de-
mand that we understand and practice the
lever. experience the hand that applies it,
love and admiration for our animals the
inspiration, and profit the conSummation
devoutly wished for.
The science of feeding is exact 81 far as
determining the relative proportions Of the
digestible protein to the carbohydrates and
fat, for different purposes, under the same
conditions, but animals are kept under such
widely different circumstances as to shelter,
ventilation exercise and work, and have
formed different habits from influence of
environments, that it is hard to lay down
infexible rules The analysis Of the diff
ferent feeds at hand, careful study Of the
conditions, purpose and characteristics OF
the animal. enables the skillful feeder to
acquire exactness and proficiency.
As before intimated feeding is reduced
| to an exact science, and with knowledge
of the composition of animal bodies and Of
| the various feeds that are to sustain, make
| Growth, produce milk and wool, repair
waste perform work and lay on fat, and
! hy the use Of figures which won lie the
| problem is solved.
| The materials must be So selected and
combined as to constitute the balanced IA
ton for the purpose. Animals are easily
fed and bred into fat forming or beef
habit, which destroys their adaptability fol
the dairy or race track Hens fed exclu-
sively upon tattening foods cease laying.
The hogs of our section fail to fill the
market demand because too much corn fed,
TOO little exercise, too much lard. The
chemical constituents Of the food are the
chief factor in giving firmnesS and hard
ness of bone and muscular tone and action.
Too little attention is paid to the amount
of water in the feed; thus we see animals
bein. nearly physicked to death upon
succuent foods, and others badly impaired
bv constipation caused by hard, dry food.
| The right condition is maintained by the
proper combinations.
Stock need roots, silage, wetted feeds or
mash the amount Of needed water varies
| with the purpose of the animal and cannot
be supplied bv drink alone The time of
cutting the perfection Of the drying or
curing process, goes far in determining the
palatableness, the digestibility and the
| danger Of undergoing fermentation in the
digestive tract. Kiln-dried finely ground
cereals are the safest and most healthful,
mixed with silage OF made into Il mash with
cut fodder OF hay.
From contact, know the average farmer
and feeder is not educated up to these
| points. Can he obtain the needed know
ledge from his veterinarian The problem
is sometimes difficult because Of the limited
material at hand and the price Of such stuff
as would balance up the ration being so
high as to make its use Improbable.
Then the question is what is best under
the circumstances Having determined
this important matter the quantity to be
quantities for different ages, weights and
purposes should be known, but individual
capacity, natural and acquired, must be
found out Only liberal feeding is profit
able. Under and over feeding are mis-
takes The varying values Of feeds in the
manure must not be lost sight Of when
among the farmers.
1t is nice to be skillful mechanic and
construct useful things or to understand the
running of machinery, but such are not TO
be compared to the man who can grow and
fatten animals just right, or to him who
can run herd of dairy COWS 50 as to get
all from them that is to be had and avoid
indigestion, garget and concomitant dangers
and losses. 1t is done by regularity in
watering and feeding, avoiding exposure or
sudden changes in diet, gradually increasing
the feed upon new animals until their ca