236 FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



Roots and succulent feeds are not essential in 

 successful lamb feeding. Experiments indicate that 

 under some conditions these feeds may be detrimen- 

 tal to the most economical gains. It is a mooted 

 question and will have to be worked out by every 

 feeder. A well-balanced ration consisting of hay 

 and grain, plenty of water, regular feeding and com- 

 fortable quarters are the factors that produce nearly 

 all the fat lambs. Alfalfa is beyond question the 

 best forage, but in its absence clover, cowpeas or 

 other leguminous forage is a good substitute and 

 practically indispensable. If such forage is not at 

 hand, then sugar cane, kafir corn, millet or mixed 

 hay, cut at the proper period and carefully cured, 

 will give good gains, although more grain will be 

 necessary. 



The grain ration will consist largely of corn. 

 Cracked corn is usually preferred to whole corn. 

 Small amounts of oil meal, ground oats, or both, 

 may be introduced into the ration with good effect ; 

 if a leguminous hay is not used, one of them should 

 certainly be added. Lambs should weigh about 60 

 pounds when placed in the feed lot. After a feed- 

 ing period of 60 to 90 days they should weigh from 

 90 to 95 pounds. Often heavier weights than these 

 are obtained, but when a lamb weighs more than 

 loo pounds he is likely to be discriminated against 

 by buyers and may possibly have to be sold for a 

 sheep instead of a lamb, at a lower price. 



Fattening Grown Sheep. The feeding of wethers 

 or grown ewes for market does not differ much from 

 the method employed in fattening lambs. On some 



