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GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS IN FEEDING 



The following tabulation from unpublished data at the Illinois 

 Station indicates the daily amount of feed that was given per lamb 

 in each week of the feeding period. It also serves to show about 

 how fast feeds should be increased. Too much caution was taken 

 in the amount of corn and silage given in the first two weeks, as the 

 lambs lost when they should have gained in weight. At the begin- 

 ning of the experiment the average weight of the lambs was 65 

 pounds. 



Changes in Rations for feeding period of Seventeen Weeks. 



Increasing Feed. Emphasis has already been placed on the 

 fact that certain feeds should be fed in small quantity at the 

 beginning of the feeding period and then gradually increased. If 

 possible, the increases should be made on clear, cool days. It is on 

 such days that the appetite of sheep or lambs is keenest; hence they 

 will eat an increased amount of feed with more relish than at any 

 other time. Warm weather and great humidity have a depressing 

 effect upon the appetite of sheep. If they are on full feed at such 

 times it is frequently necessary to reduce the amount of the ration. 



When are sheep or lambs on full feed ? Sheep or lambs which 

 are fed by hand may be considered on full feed when they fail to eat, 

 within a few minutes, all of the concentrate part of their ration. 

 They have more roughage than they should be fed when they leave 



