FATTENING SHEEP AND LAMBS IN WINTER 22/ 



As has been intimated, screenings are in nearly all 

 instances fed in self-feeders, and for such feeding they are 

 one of the safest of foods. Notwithstanding, even screen- 

 ings will give better results, viewed apart from the cost 

 of feeding, when fed only in such quantities as will be 

 eaten clean by the sheep. 



Viewed from the standpoint of the farm and its needs, 

 it would be much wiser to clean the grain and keep the 

 screenings for feeding on the farm. Because of this it is 

 not too much to expect that the day is not distant when 

 the farmer will cease to give away his screenings and will 

 feed them at home. That he does give them away is 

 certain, as on every bushel of grain sent to the elevator 

 there is a certain amount of dockage because of the pres- 

 ence of screenings. In addition to the cost of the screen- 

 ings for feeding on the farm is the loss of the fertility 

 that would have resulted from feeding them. 



Fattening two lots in succession It is quite prac- 

 ticable to fatten two lots of sheep in succession during the 

 same winter. When this can be done the profit should be 

 greater than when one lot only is fattened, other things 

 being equal, as it results in the more complete utilization 

 of the plant. Such feeding may be conducted, not only 

 on the farm, but also at feeding plants established else- 

 where. The chief obstacle to be overcome in relation to 

 such feeding is the greater difficulty found in obtaining 

 the sheep or lambs for feeding at the season when it is 

 usual to put the second lot on feed. Such feeding is made 

 possible by the comparatively short season called for to 

 make sheep ready for the market. 



The first lot is put on feed when cool weather is ap- 

 proaching, say about November i.. In three months they 

 will usually be ready for the market. They are then sold 

 at a season when prices for mutton are relatively good ; 

 that is, in February. If put on feed much earlier they 

 would be ready to market at the holiday season or dur- 



