364 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS IN FEEDING 



where sheep were given a run to an outside paved lot. In rainy 

 weather this lot was hard to handle because the dung, soon after it 

 was dropped, became a semi-liquid mass which was injurious to the 

 feet of the sheep. It is inadvisable to provide large lots because 

 the sheep will take too much exercise and there is a great loss of 

 manure. About the only useful function of the lots is to furnish 

 an outlet for the sheep and thus keep the barns more nearly free 

 from the strong odors which tend to depress the appetite of the 

 animals. 



Troughs and Racks. It is advantageous to use troughs and 

 racks that can be kept clean, for sheep and lambs will rarely eat 

 dirty feed. They are especially averse to consuming feed befouled 

 by dung. Many feeders, knowing that sheep prefer to eat clean 

 feed out of clean troughs, locate the troughs for grain outside the 

 barns or sheds. Sometimes they are located in a lot in which the 

 sheep are not allowed to run except at feeding time. In this way 

 the feeding place for grain is kept clean and appetizing. It is said 

 that certain successful feeders in Ohio wash the grain troughs occa- 

 sionally with lime water in order to keep them free from odors 

 disagreeable to sheep (Fig. 219). 



Both troughs and racks should be constructed so that sheep 

 cannot get into them with their feet. In nearly every band of 

 feeders there are a few animals that desire to stand in the troughs 

 and racks while they eat. It is needless to say that they would soil 

 a great deal of feed if they could realize this desire. 



Length of Feeding Period. The age, weight, and condition 

 of the animals to be fed are factors which should be taken into 

 '< consideration in determining the length of the feeding period. As 

 a rule it does not pay to keep sheep or lambs on harvested or 

 stored feeds for a long period. Yet there are justifiable exceptions 

 to this statement. If the feeder has a supply of feed of rather low 

 grade, he may find it profitable to produce gains at a slow rate and 

 to keep his sheep a long time. Those who buy little, weak lambs 

 have no other alternative than a long feeding period; yet good 

 profits have been made with such lambs by those equipped with com- 

 fortable shelter and nutritious feeds. In general, however, the 

 motto of feeders who follow the dry-lot method is large daily gains 

 and rapid finish; They finish wethers in from 30 to 70 days; 

 yearlings in from 40 to 80 days, and lambs io rfnm 75 to 120 clays. 



In case a large number of animals are being fed, some of them 



