CHAPTER XXIX. 



EXPEEIMENTS IN FATTENING SHEEP. 

 I. FEEDING AND FATTENING. 



Nearly all the feeding trials here reported are with lambs, for the 

 sufficient reason that these animals make better use of their feed 

 than do mature sheep, and also because their flesh is more in de- 

 mand. Two classes, western range lambs and those from the farms 

 of the East, appear in the trials. 



In what follows, when no mention is made in detailing a feeding 

 experiment, it may be assumed that eastern lambs weighed about 80 

 Ibs. when feeding began and western lambs 67 Ibs. and that the feed- 

 ing period covered from 12 to 15 weeks. Western clover hay has a 

 feeding value equal to that of alfalfa hay, a fact to be remembered 

 in studying the trials in which it was used. 



744. Indian corn. This grain is extensively used for fattening 

 sheep and lambs over the United States as far west as Colorado, be- 

 yond which wheat and barley are more commonly used. The table 

 below gives the results of 4 trials with corn for fattening lambs at 

 eastern experiment stations and 4 similar trials at western stations: 



Fattening lambs on whole corn and \ay. 



Bui. 113. tRept.1895. }Bul.31. **Bul.86. ttBul. 80. Bul. 73. $Bul. 66. 



458 



