526 Feeds and Feeding. 



This may be considered as the minimum cost of feed for pro- 

 ducing 100 pounds of gain with lambs at the price named for 

 corn and clover hay. Often the feed required will for various 

 causes exceed the amount here stated; again, sheep require more 

 feed for a given gain than lambs. The cost with other combina- 

 tions of feed may easily be worked out in the same manner from 

 data in the tables. Comparing the cost of gains made by lambs 

 and steers, it will be found that the former give the best returns 

 for the feed supplied. (566, 882) Sheep will probably cost from 

 twenty-five to thirty per cent, more for a given gain than lambs. 



813. Hints on sheep feeding. — Sheep feeders do not begin 

 operations at an early hour in winter, preferring not to disturb 

 their animals until the day breaks. Usually grain is first given, 

 followed by hay and water. The trough in which grain is fed 

 should be kept clean at all times, and there should be ample room, 

 that each animal may get its share of grain. Nowhere does the 

 skill of the feeder show more plainly than in getting sheep to full 

 grain feed without a member of the flock getting ''off feed." 

 Western sheep may not be able to take over one- tenth of a pound 

 of grain per day at first. If so, two months or ten weeks may be 

 required in getting the flock to full feed. English mutton sheep 

 take to grain more readily, and in some cases no more than three 

 or four weeks need intervene between starting and full feeding. 

 In no case should this operation be hurried, for it means waste of 

 feed and the permanent injury if not loss of some of the animals. 



814. Regularity and quiet. — While regularity and quiet are of 

 importance at all times in the management of stock, they are 

 paramount in successfully handling fattening sheep. Sheep, like 

 other animals, are creatures of habit and should always be 

 handled by the same attendant, who should move among them 

 quietly, giving notice of his approach by speaking to his flock, 

 and closing doors and gates gently. Dogs and strangers should 

 be kept from the feeding pens at all times if possible. 



815. Maintenance food for breeding ewes in winter. — At the 

 Wisconsin Station, > Craig conducted trials to ascertain the amount 

 of food required to maintain pregnant ewes in good condition in 



« Kept. 1893. 



