352 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



and this weight was reached at a smaller cost in the instance of the 

 lambs fed grain from the start. 



There is unlimited variation in general practice in regard to this 

 point. It has been customary to feed the grain first, then the suc- 

 culent food, and last the dry fodder. In feeding fattening sheep of 

 the age indicated the aim should be to induce the wethers to eat as 

 much as possible. At this time they should receive all the grain 

 they will eat up eagerly. To secure the best results it is a good plan, 

 where it is possible to do so, to feed the grain in two or even three 

 feeds. This may be done easily when less than 100 are fed together, 

 but with more than that it is not a commendable plan. By feeding 

 only one-third of the full feed intended it is easy to gauge the appe- 

 tites of the wethers, which is a very important matter. The smallest 

 degree of overfeeding is certain to react on the gain of the sheep, for 

 in some instances it will probably cause scouring, in others constipa- 

 tion, and it may even result in the loss of some of the lambs. 



There are two essentials that contribute to cheap and rapid gains, 

 and these are quietness and confinement. The least excitement 

 brought on by the appearance of dogs, haste, or abuse on the part of 

 the attendant is certain to be shown by the scales. For some time the 

 Wisconsin Station used yards in connection with the fattening pens, 

 but for the last two years they have been removed, and better results 

 seem to have followed. 



Quantity to Feed. Careful attention must be given to the 

 amount of grain that is fed. This part of the ration costs most, gives 

 the quickest returns, and is the most likely to produce some disorder 

 in the digestion of the sheep. For the first two weeks it is much bet- 

 ter to give them only one-half what they need than to feed them too 

 much ; especially is this true if over 50 sheep are being fed together. 

 Starting the sheep safely and well on a ration brings the feeder's 

 skill into play, particularly if the sheep have been accustomed to 

 grain. There are some foods that are safer than others to feed at the 

 beginning, and among these oats or bran have a general preference. 

 Wheat is comparatively safe, while corn is probably the most dan- 

 gerous to feed alone. One pound per head daily of either bran or 

 oats is liberal feeding for sheep that are accustomed to grain, and a 

 slightly smaller quantity will be sufficient for those that have not 

 been accustomed to it. The quantity of grain may be gradually in- 

 creased as the capacity of the sheep to consume it becomes greater. 

 The careful and successful feeder trains his sheep to eat with as much 

 carefulness as the trainer teaches a colt to trot. It is safe to assume 

 that wethers at this age may be fed all the grain that they will eat, 

 as it is usual for them to profitably utilize it in making gain, unless 

 they are unhealthy or the management is defective. It is a hard 

 matter to estimate the amount of grain to feed, owing to the variation 

 in the consuming capacity of sheep. In starting it has been cus- 

 tomary with some herdsmen to feed from 0.5 pound to 1 pound. A 

 month later the wethers will probably be taking 1.5 to 2 pounds, and 

 during the last month from 2 to 3 pounds per head has been the 

 capacity of most sheep. 



