230 FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



growth is to be secured. It is an old fallacy that 

 sheep do not need water. 



When Turning to Pasture. Change from dry 

 forage to fresh pasture gradually. An afternoon is 

 best when no moisture is on the grass. After feed- 

 ing on this pasture for a short time return the flock 

 to the yard. Repeat in this manner for a few days, 

 and little if any digestive disturbances will arise. 

 After four or five days the sheep will become accus- 

 tomed to green feed. 



Proportion of Grain to Roughage. Practical 

 feeders have found no definite rule to use in this 

 matter. If grain is abundant and hay scarce, more 

 grain is fed than when the opposite condition ob- 

 tains. For economical gains the roughage material 

 will be fed in as large quantities as the animals may 

 be induced to eat. Some grain, however, is neces- 

 sary. The amount will vary from i l /> to 2 pounds 

 of roughage to one pound of grain. Under average 

 feeding conditions about 300 pounds of grain and 

 500 pounds of roughage will be required to give 

 100 pounds of increase. If on blue grass or rape 

 pasture, about 175 pounds of corn should secure 100 

 pounds of gain. 



How Often to Feed Sheep. Usually sheep, when 

 being fattened, are fed twice each day. Slightly bet- 

 ter returns have been observed when three feeds are 

 provided. The gain is not large, but it is frequently 

 sufficient to meet more than the cost in labor and 

 trouble. 



Feeding Corn in the Field. When sheep are at 

 pasture ear corn may be scattered about, two or 



