IMPORTANCE OF EVEN CONDITIONS 367 



any considerable amount that is edible. This applies to the more 

 palatable roughages, Such as clover hay, alfalfa, and corn stover. 



What is known as the self-feeder method was generally used by 

 the old-time operators and it is still employed in many large feeding 

 plants. With this method the sheep or lambs are on full feed almost 

 from the beginning of the feeding period. The system is carried 

 out as follows : A large quantity of feed is placed in racks or feed 

 boxes to which the animals have free access. Hence they may have 

 all they will eat. The feed is usually, but not always, a mixture 

 of concentrates and chaffed roughage. At the beginning of the 

 feeding period, the proportion of roughage is much greater than the 

 concentrates. As the feeding period advances this proportion is 

 changed gradually until the amount of concentrates becomes greater. 



Manner of Giving the Ration. Where hand-feeding is prac- 

 ticed, the concentrates should be fed first because that part of the 

 ration should, be eaten in a few minutes. After the concentrates 

 should come the succulent feed, if any is being used, and finally the 

 roughage. If combination grain and hay racks are being used, the 

 succulent feed may be placed in the troughs and the hay or dry 

 roughages in the racks. Then the sheep or lambs may take their 

 time in consuming the feeds. If there is danger of freezing, how- 

 ever, it is best to give the succulent feed some time before the 

 roughage is placed in the racks. 



Feed regularly and twice each day. If the animals receive their 

 feed at a set time, they remain quiet and contented at all other times. 

 It is better to give all feeds twice each day, because in this way 

 there is less chance to gorge the stomach with any one feed. This is 

 true particularly of all concentrates and to a certain extent of corn 

 silage. Because of the succulent nature of silage it may be advisable 

 to feed it three times a day. If more than one dry roughage is being 

 fed it may be just as well, and perhaps advisable for the sake of con- 

 venience, to feed one in the morning and the other in the evening. 



Since most of the feeding is done in the winter when the days 

 are short there may be a tendency on the part of the feeder to feed 

 before daylight. If other work about the place does not make it 

 necessary, this should not be done. Sheep or lambs will lie at rest 

 until daybreak if not aroused, and their rest should be disturbed as 

 little as possible. 



Importance of Even Conditions. Because the Test of fatten- 

 ing sheep or lambs should be disturbed as little as possible, their 



