268 



PRODUCTIVE FEEDING OF FARM ANIMALS 



Use of Self-feeder. A self-feeder is a labor-saving device for 

 feeding grain feeds to stock (Fig. 64). It consists of a feed box 

 that holds a considerable quantity of grain or other concentrates; 

 the feed passes down into the feed trough below as this is emptied 

 by the cattle, and the supply has only to be replenished at inter- 





II,: 



Fia. 63. Beef cattle fattened on corn, fed in large, flat troughs. ("Productive Farming," 



Davis.) 



vals. It may also be used for feeding steers a mixture of grain 

 feeds, or cut hay mixed with grain. The self-feeder is used by 

 cattle men in different localities with varying success; no automatic 

 system of feeding cattle or other animals can, however, give the best 

 results for any length of time, for " the eye of the master fattens 



FIG. 64. The self-feeder is used by many farmers in the corn, belt States for feeding 

 corn or grain mixtures to fattening steers. Hogs are generally kept with the steers. (Breed- 

 ers' Gazette.) 



his cattle," and the self-feeder can only be looked upon as an aid in 

 economizing skilled labor in feeding operations. Cattle men have 

 reported both success and failure with self-feeders. It appears 

 that, on the whole, they may serve a useful purpose if properly 

 constructed 18 and the cattle are put on a maximum grain feed 



18 See Mumford, " Beef Production," p. 149. 



