360 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



1-2 EDWARD VII., A. 1902 

 EXPERIMENTS WITH STEERS. 



This test was carried on with a view to establish some data as regards the advisa- 

 bility of dehorning full grown steers at the commencement of their feeding period, 

 whether fed in loose boxes or tied in stalls. 



Twenty-one 3j-year old steers and three 2 J years old were nsed for this test, in 3 

 lots of 8 each of as nearly as possible equal form, features and weight (shorthorn 

 grades). 



They were bought on October 30 and weighed the next morning, after having 

 fasted 14 hours. The horns were then taken off lots 1 and 2 and left on lot 3. Lot 1 

 was put into loose box stalls, and lots 2 and 3 were tied up in stalls. 



I he dehorning was done with the keystone dehorning clipper. 



While all bled profusely, few seemed to suffer much, although by careful weighing 

 before, and repeatedly after dehorning, it was again found that at least two weeks were 

 required to regain the loss in weight from dehorning. 



All lots were fed alike as nearly as possible from start to finish of test, and kept 

 in the stable all the time, except on occasional fine days when they were let out for a 

 time, averaging not more than once each week. 



Another lot of 4 of the same ages and quality as the others, as near as possible, 

 were dehorned, fed and cared for in precisely the same manner as lots 1, 2 and 3, with 

 the exception of being turned out daily for water. 



The feeds were charged at the following prices: — Hay, $8 per ton; straw, $3 per 

 ton; roots, $2 per ton; ensilage, $2 per ton; mixed meals averaged $22.50 per ton as 

 per proportion fed. 



