Missouri Sheep Breeders'' and Feeders' Association. 473 



cause that is the class of lambs on which the feeder must rely 

 for his supply, not only because of numbers, but also because of 

 the fact that native lambs in the fall when not fat enough to 

 be purchased for slaughter are usually so affected with worms 

 that they are not satisfactory as feeders. In other words, all 

 the good native lambs are sold for slaughter and only the dis- 

 eased or late lambs are to be obtained for feeding. On the 

 other hand, the western lambs are practically free from worms 

 because of the dry climate from which they came and are, 

 therefore, very satisfactory for feeding purposes. We prefer 

 the heavier lambs rather than lighter ones because they are 

 stronger and are ready at once to begin fattening and will finish 

 for market at an early date. For the experienced sheepman 

 small lambs or "pewees" may return a larger profit, but larger 

 lambs are more certain, especially for the less experienced 

 feeders. The death loss among small lambs is higher and will 

 be very much higher if the owner is not a pretty good sheepman. 

 Thus, while the small lamb can be bought cheaper the heavier, 

 stronger lamb is healthier and affords less risk of loss from the 

 dangers that beset the inexperienced sheepman. For this 

 reason we have chosen to use the strong, heavy feeders in our 

 experimental work, and especially so because we knew when 

 starting that some of the rations would not add to the thrift 

 of the lambs. But we desired data on the subject in order 

 to present the matter to readers in a more convincing manner. 

 Feeding is done regularly twice daily; water and salt 

 are kept before the lambs at all times. More depends on care- 

 ful feeding with lambs than any other class of stock. When 

 feeding time comes the lambs become restless and uneasy, are 

 always on their feet and moving about. If feeding is not 

 regular the gains are reduced and the lambs do not fatten 

 readily. The troughs where grain is fed must be kept clean. 

 Lambs do not like to eat feed that has lain in the trough and 

 been "mussed" over. Therefore clean feed should be supplied 

 in clean troughs. We sweep our troughs twice daily and never 

 feed anything except fresh, clean feed. Water tubs are cleaned 

 once daily and fresh water supplied both morning and night. 

 Salt is kept before them at all times. Let the salt supply 

 become exhausted for a few days and the desire of the lambs 

 for water begins to decrease and soon the appetite begins to 

 be less sharp, with the result that the quantity of feed con- 

 sumed decreases and the lamb does not make so satisfactory gains 



