Missouri Sheep Breeders'' and Feeders' Association. 475 



of getting figures on the actual difference in feeding value be- 

 tween timothy hay and clover hay we decided to feed two similar 

 lots of lambs, one on corn and timothy hay and the other on 

 corn and clover hay. 



The composition of timothy hay gave us grounds for ex- 

 pecting bad results from its use, but the fact that many men 

 are now using it for fattening lambs led us to secure exact data 

 on its use. Three trials have been made at this place com- 

 paring corn and timothy hay and corn and clover hay. The 

 trials lasted 90, 50 and 70 days, respectively. Table I shows 

 a comparison between shelled corn and timothy hay and shelled 

 corn and clover hay. 



TABLE I. — TIMOTHY HAY VS. CLOVER HAY FOR FATTENING LAMBS. 



AVERAGE OF THREE TRIALS. 



Ration. 



Shelled corn, 

 timothy hay. 



Shelled corn, 

 clover hay. 



Initial weight 



Final weight 



Gain per lamb 



Daily gain per lamb 



Daily feed eaten: 



Grain 



Hay 



Feed per pound gain: 



Grain 



Hay 



Cost per 100 pounds gain: 



Corn at 40 cents per bushel 



Corn at 50 cents per bushel 



Corn at 60 cents per bushel 



Pounds. 



59.1 



72.6 



13.5 



.192 



1.02 

 .93 



5.29 



4.84 



$6.90 



7.77 

 8.64 



Pounds. 



59.4 



82.2 



22.8 



.325 



1.23 

 1.41 



3.77 

 4.35 



$4.99 

 5.63 

 6.26 



Clover hay, $10.00 per ton; timothy hay, $12.00 per ton. 

 Average length of feeding period, 70 days. 



The rate of gain was .192 pounds with the timothy hay 

 and .325 pounds with clover hay. The lambs fed timothy 

 hay did not have as eager appetites as those fed clover hay, as 

 is shown by the daily feed consumption. The lambs fed 

 timothy were very hard to keep on feed. Six or seven weeks of 

 full feeding seemed to be the maximum time the lambs would 

 endure without going off feed. The feed had to be greatly re- 

 duced and a laxative administered before the lambs fed timothy 

 hay could be brought back to their feed. The lots fed corn and 

 clover hay were eager for their feed at all times. The lambs 

 fed timothy did not get fat enough to be classed above feeders 

 except in one trial. The lots fed clover hay finished well. Our 



