522 FEEDS AND FEEDING 



801. Equipment for feeding cattle. Many feeders do not realize that 

 providing proper equipment is an important factor in securing profits 

 in cattle feeding. The character of shelter advisable for winter feeding 

 will depend on the climate. As has been pointed out previously, expen- 

 sive shelter is not necessary for fattening cattle, even in the northern 

 states. (727) All that is needed, even where the winters are cold, is a 

 shed, sheltered from prevailing winds, and opening on the south into 

 well-drained feed lots. Where the soil and climate are such that the feed 

 lots often become a sea of mud in winter or early spring, paving them with 

 concrete is an economy. Not only do the steers make larger and more 

 economical gains, but also much loss of manure is prevented. (731) 



There should be sufficient space in feed lots and shed for the comfort 

 of the steers, a safe average being 90 to 100 square feet per head, includ- 

 ing the area of the shed, which should provide 20 to 25 square feet for 

 each steer. Cattle of the same age, or at least those of equal size and 

 strength, should be fed in the same lot. Weak animals, and those unable 

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

 they can eat in quiet. From 2.5 to 3 feet of feed racks or bunks should 

 be provided per steer, so there will not be undue crowding at meal time. 

 Some feeders use combination feed racks for grain and roughage, while 

 others prefer a separate rack for hay and a bunk or flat trough for silage 

 and grain. Feed racks and bunks should always be cleaned after each 

 feeding. As is emphasized later in this chapter, fresh water and salt 

 should always be provided. (805-6) 



802. Getting cattle on feed. Cattle which are not acustomed to corn 

 or other concentrates must be started on feed gradually or serious diges- 

 tive trouble may result. From the start they should be given all the 

 good roughage, such as hay and silage, they will clean up. For animals to 

 be fattened on a full feed of grain, a safe plan is to feed them in addition 

 2 to 3 Ibs. of corn or other grain at first, and then increase the allowance 

 1 Ib. a day or less until about 10 Ibs. daily is fed. After this the grain 

 should be increased even more gradually, say 1 Ib. every third day until 

 they are on full feed. 



When cottonseed meal or linseed meal is fed to balance the ration, one- 

 half to one pound per head daily may be fed at first, and the allowance 

 gradually increased one-quarter of a pound daily per steer until the full 

 amount needed to balance the ration is supplied. 



803. Frequency and method of feeding. Most cattlemen feed concen- 

 trates and roughage twice a day to fattening steers not on pasture. As 

 pointed out later, it is important that the feeding be at the same time 

 each day. Usually the grain is fed first and then the silage, after the 

 grain is cleaned up. Hay or other dry roughage is fed in suitable racks, 

 also twice daily. So that each steer will get his share of any protein-rich 

 supplement, like cottonseed meal or linseed meal, it should be mixed 

 with the corn or other grain or else with the silage. 



Commonly when concentrates are fed cattle on pasture, they are sup- 



