612 BULLETIN No. 129. [November, 



CONDITION. While it is understood that no grade of feeder 

 lambs is in that condition we would call fat, choice lambs should 

 be fairly full in their outlines and without any suggestion of emaci- 

 ation. Such condition is of importance for two reasons. First, 

 the exceedingly thin lamb usually does not finish in- a normal feed- 

 ing period and second, a lamb of this description often fails to 

 make gains as economically as those in higher condition. 



WEIGHT. The question of weight should receive considera- 

 tion. Choice feeder lambs range in weight from 55 to 62 pounds. 

 Lambs weighing less than this are regarded as being either too 

 young or too much retarded in growth to rade as choice. It is 

 expected of choice lambs that they finish into the weights most 

 desirable in a normal feeding period, which is from 90 to 120 days, 

 and hence the initial weight should not be much less than 55 pounds. 

 See plate 26. 



PLATE 26. CHOICE FEEDER LAMBS. 



GOOD FEEDER LAMBS 



Several things may contribute to make lambs fall into the good 

 grade, such as undesirable condition, weight, conformation and 

 quality. Good lambs are usually more leggy and coarse than those 

 that are considered choice. They often make as good and occa- 

 sionally better gains than choice lambs, but chiefly on account of 

 their lack in quality they do not reach top prices when they are 

 returned to the market as fat lambs. Lambs weighing between 

 50 and 55 pounds and choice in form, but somewhat, although not 



