394 Feeds and Feeding. 



for the wants of all, but not a pound excess. Cattle of the same 

 age, or at least those of equal size and strength, should be fed in 

 the same enclosure. Weak animals, and those unable for any rea- 

 son to crowd to the feed trough and get their share, should be 

 placed where they can be supplied in quiet. 



605. Other points to be observed. The droppings of the steer 

 are an excellent index of the progress of fattening. While they 

 should never be hard, they should still be thick enough to "pile 

 up " and have that unctious appearance which indicates a healthy 

 action of the liver. There is an odor from the droppings of thrifty, 

 well-fed steers known and quickly recognized by every good 

 feeder. Thin droppings and those with a sour smell indicate 

 something wrong in the feed yard. 



The conduct of the steer is a further guide in marking the prog- 

 ress of fattening. The manner in which he approaches the feed 

 box; his quiet pose while ruminating and audible breathing when 

 lying down, showing the lungs cramped by the well-filled paunch 5 

 the quiet eye which stands full from the fattening socket; the 

 oily coat, all are points that awaken the interest, admiration 

 and satisfaction of the successful feeder. 



606. Preparing steers for shipment. Clay 1 writes: " A day or 

 two previous to shipping, feed the cattle in a pen, and feed hay 

 only. The secret of shipping all classes of cattle is to place them 

 on the cars full of food but with as little moisture as possible. A 

 steer full of water is apt to have loose bowels and show up badly 

 in the yards; properly handled cattle should arrive in the sale 

 pens dry behind and ready for a good fill of water; not very 

 thirsty but in good condition to drink freely. Many shippers 

 think that by salting their cattle or feeding them oats they can 

 fool the buyers, but it always goes against them to use unnatural 

 amounts. As to feed on the road, nothing equals good sweet hay, 

 which excels corn or other grains because it is easily digested and 

 does not fever the animal. Of water in mid- summer, care must 

 be taken to supply the animal wants, whereas in winter a steer 

 can go for many hours without a drink. Cattle should arrive at 

 the sale yards at from 5 to 8 A. M., appearing on the scene as 



1 Live Stock Report, Chicago, Sept. 28, 1894. 



