FATTENING SHEEP AND LAMBS IN WINTER 



directly from the range or at the stock yards to which 

 they are shipped, chiefly in the autumn season. When the 

 number wanted for feeding is large, it may be more profit- 

 able to purchase on the range, but where only a small 

 number is wanted they may be obtained most conveni- 

 ently from the stock yards. Here also co-operation may 

 be resorted to when necessary, but in nearly all instances 

 those farmers who purchase lambs for fattening aim to 

 feed not less than a carload lot, even though a part or all 

 of the food must needs be purchased. 



Selecting sheep for fattening In the selection of 

 sheep for fattening, form and size are much more im- 

 portant than breed or grade. It would not be correct to 

 say that breed is of no account, for all breeds are not 

 equally popular on the block. All things considered, the 

 most popular sheep with the butcher are those of the 

 middle wool breeds, and especially the smaller of these, 

 as the Southdown and Shropshire. But sheep of any 

 breed or grade with the required form will take the mar- 

 ket readily when well finished and of suitable size and 

 weight. 



With reference to form, whether lambs or mature 

 sheep are fed, the aim should be to select them as far as 

 possible of the smooth, compact and short-limbed types 

 for the breed or grade which they represent. The pref- 

 erence should be for animals with firm, strong and 

 straight backs, round bodies denoting good spring of rib, 

 and much width through the shoulders and thighs. They 

 should have rosy or pink skins, indicating a healthy con- 

 dition of the system. 



As to the size, the aim should be to have them con- 

 form as nearly as may be practicable to the needs of the 

 market. The market demand may differ in different 

 localities, but the smooth, neat carcass, with bone not 

 more than medium, is always preferred to the carcass 

 rough, or of the lanky order. Lambs that weigh not 

 more than 60 to 70 pounds when put on feed are to be 



