458 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



LAMB FATTENING. 



By 0. Rivers, Officer in Charge of Slieep, Scliool of Agriculture, 



Potchefstroom. 



In order to add to the data concerning the exact amount of feed and 

 its cost for fattening winter lambs, an experiment was carried out at 

 the School of Agriculture, Potchefstroom, from 1st July to 8th 

 September, 1919, on slightly different lines to previous ones, and an 

 accurate account kept of feed used during the ten weeks. 



Types Used. — The lambs fattened were twenty first-cross by 

 Suffolk rams from blackhead Persian ewes (Illustration I), and twelve 

 second-cross by Suffolk rams from first-cross Suffolk-Persian ewes 

 (Illustration II). Seventeen lambs of the above crosses, twelve of 

 which were first-cross and five second-cross Suffolk-Persians, were 

 kept as controls. 



] remarks on Types. — It will be seen at once in Illustrations I and 

 II tbat there is a great difference between the two crosses, the 

 second-cross being much stouter built, with a fuller thigh, and 

 altogether superior as a mutton sheep to the first-cross, carrying also 

 a superior fleece of wool, and appearing to mature earlier. 



Controls. — The seventeen controls were not given any grain, being 

 entirely on green oats or lucerne during the whole time the experiment 

 was being carried out. 



Ages. — The lambs were dropped between the 10th April and the 

 26th April on veld at Brakspruit, and kept there until the 29th of 

 May, being then of an average age of six weeks two days. They were 

 then put on a lucerne paddock until the 30th June, when they were 

 weighed and shifted on to Algerian oats to be fattened. 



Salt Lick. — Salt lick, composed of 100 lb. salt, 4 lb. sulphur, and 

 3 lb. sulphate of iron was always obtainable. 



Worms. — On 10th and 28th July and 11th and 18th August it was 

 found necessary to dose all the lambs for tapeworms. Worm powder 

 from the Government Laboratories was used. The lambs were weaned 

 on 18th August at the average age of four months to save green feed, 

 which was only sufficient to keep them going properly. 



Method of Feeding. — The system of feeding was as follows : 

 From the 1st July to the 8th September the lambs were yarded morn- 

 ing and evening and drafted off from their mothers into another yard 

 with sufficient feeding troughs in it to allow room for all to feed at 

 once. Sixty feet were used. During the first period of fourteen days 

 a number of ewes were allowed to, feed with the lambs to teach them, 

 the ewes being daily gradually reduced in number until the lambs got 



