594 FEEDS AND FEEDING 



0.33 Ib. The feed cost of 100 Ibs. gain was about 15 per ct. less for the 

 corn-field lambs. These trials show this method of fattening lambs to 

 be a decidedly economical practice, especially in view of the saving in 

 labor. Gramlich found that the gains were increased when a supple- 

 ment, such as linseed or cottonseed meal, was given to lambs in the corn 

 field, even tho they were receiving alfalfa hay. 



In fattening sheep in the corn field, Coffey 80 points out that plenty of 

 feed should always be easily accessible, without the animals being forced 

 to travel a long distance. It is a good plan to furnish pasture, such as 

 clover, bluegrass, or timothy, near the corn field, for this aids in keep- 

 ing the sheep from over-feeding on corn. Hay and other feed should 

 be provided for periods of bad weather or in case the corn field is 

 harvested before the sheep are fat. Shelter from cold rains should be 

 furnished. The sheep should be restricted to limited areas in the corn 

 field by means of hurdles or temporary fences which may be fastened to 

 the corn stalks. When most of the feed in a given area has been eaten, 

 it is a good plan to let the pigs finish the harvesting and turn the sheep 

 into a new portion. The sheep should be inspected daily to see that all 

 are thriving. Muddy fields are hard on their feet, as the mud cakes be- 

 tween their toes. 



905. Winter fattening by large operators. Most of the large opera- 

 tors who still fatten thousands of lambs each year carry on their feed- 

 ing in Colorado or other western states. A few feed at yards located 

 near the large livestock markets on railroads leading in from the West. 

 In the western states alfalfa hay is the chief roughage, with wet sugar 

 beet pulp in the vicinity of beet sugar factories. In Colorado, corn is 

 the chief grain fed, while farther north and west larger use is made of 

 the small grains, especially barley. 



In the West no shelter except perhaps a windbreak is commonly pro- 

 vided. The hay is usually fed in lanes which extend between 2 rows of 

 lots, each of which accomodates 400 to 500 lambs. The low fences 

 bordering the lanes have a 7- or 8-inch space between the first and second 

 boards, thru which the lambs feed on the hay. About 1 running foot 

 of lane fencing and feed troughs is allowed each sheep. The hay from 

 the stacks is hauled down the lanes and piled along the fences, being 

 pushed up to them 2 or 3 times a day as it is eaten away. The grain is 

 fed in flat-bottomed troughs. 



With favorable markets and low-priced feed, handsome profits were 

 made by the large operators, but sometimes heavy losses occurred. In 

 the West often little or no use is made of the manure produced, but at 

 the feeding yards near the central markets, the manure is dried, pul- 

 verized, and sold for fertilizer. As has been mentioned in the pre- 

 ceding chapter (860), large numbers of lambs are fattened on field 

 peas in certain districts of the West, particularly the San Luis Valley 



"HI. Exten. Cir. 21; Productive Sheep Husbandry, pp. 388-90. 



